Most people wouldn't want to waste food if they had the choice. However, that is not the case, and this is because of several psychological factors at play. Psychology plays a huge role in influencing people's decisions in day to day life, for obvious reasons, and this is true in the case of food waste too.
The most common reason for food waste in middle class to high class families in India is because of stockpiling of food. "When in doubt, buy more" seems to have become the go-to solution for purchasing dilemma. Why this is so is the main question here.
competitive information, packaging and promotions - they are mainly responsible for this. Manipulating people's decisions is one of their main aims. Brands and companies have been spending more and more on promotions and innovative, new packaging which catches the eye of the daily shopper. Offers like "buy one, get one free" only lure people into buying more - food which they don't actually need, and which will ultimately go to waste.
Anticipated regret is another factor behind stockpiling. The human mind works this way - "If I don't get it now, what if it's supply ends and I do not get it later?" This is one situation where the "go for it or regret" strategy does not work. There is always going to be more to buy; you can always make a second trip to the grocery; you can always buy more, if needed.
The most common reason for food waste in middle class to high class families in India is because of stockpiling of food. "When in doubt, buy more" seems to have become the go-to solution for purchasing dilemma. Why this is so is the main question here.
competitive information, packaging and promotions - they are mainly responsible for this. Manipulating people's decisions is one of their main aims. Brands and companies have been spending more and more on promotions and innovative, new packaging which catches the eye of the daily shopper. Offers like "buy one, get one free" only lure people into buying more - food which they don't actually need, and which will ultimately go to waste.
Anticipated regret is another factor behind stockpiling. The human mind works this way - "If I don't get it now, what if it's supply ends and I do not get it later?" This is one situation where the "go for it or regret" strategy does not work. There is always going to be more to buy; you can always make a second trip to the grocery; you can always buy more, if needed.
