A time of transition: changes in Irish food behaviour and potential implications due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Consumers’ food choice decisions are generally relatively stable over time; consumers engage in habitual decision-making due to the high frequency of such for efficiency reasons. As a result, habits strong predictors eating behaviour. However, changes life individual or external environment can result more conscious consideration motives and transition new patterns behaviour fit context. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is examined this paper as particularly useful case how change context affects trajectories. Drawing on results from an online survey 651 Ireland, it examines planning, shopping, preparation behaviour, including stockpiling influences decision-making. Overall, finds significant evidence towards behaviours, with two distinct clusters identified – “Covid copers” “restless restrictors”. For both groups, shopping experience has become stressful resulting reduced higher levels planning. Conversely, time pressures related cooking have reduced, enjoyment associated activities. This also reflected behaviour; top three foods most likely been stockpiled Ireland were pasta/rice, eggs flour, reflecting nation’s desire bake cook during pandemic. These behaviours discussed emerging supply chain actor responses, considerations future strategic identified, along some opportunities public health nutrition interventions.