| The purpose of this study was to identify college students' attitudes toward sustainable agriculture and whether those attitudes influenced their food choices. The theory of planned behavior was applied to understand students' attitudes, intentions, and behaviors regarding sustainable foods. The researcher utilized the questionnaire from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) adapted by Pelletier, Laska, Neumark-Sztainer, and Story (2013) to focus on sustainability as a motivational factor for food choices. A total of 193 students completed the questionnaire and identified attitudes toward sustainable agriculture and food choice behaviors. Data pertaining to students' attitudes and dietary behaviors were analyzed based on a point scale developed by the researcher where negative responses elicited a lower number and positive responses elicited a higher number; the maximum score was 100 points. Results demonstrated a significant correlation between students' attitudes toward sustainable agriculture and their food choice behaviors (r = .613, p <.001). It was found that students who indicated a positive attitude toward sustainable agriculture were more likely to purchase local, organic, sustainably produced foods. |
