Circular Food Consumption and Policy Levers: A Q-Methodology Investigation

Circular Food Consumption and Policy Levers: A Q-Methodology Investigation Introduction In an era of increasing environmental challenges, the need to rethink how we use, consume, and manage resources has never been more pressing than now. The scarcity of resources pushes us to search for alternative consumption patterns, but as being dependent on what nature provides, it is not an easy problem to solve. Although the European Green Deal aims to promote sustainable consumption, it faces significant obstacles, particularly in translating policy goals into practical changes. In response to this, public institutions worldwide are actively seeking solutions and strategies. In this context, the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy has been introduced with the aim of making food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. However, the literature has been deficient in defining the idea of a circular consumer (Yeter et al, 2025), resulting in an unclear understanding of consumer profiles, consumption patterns, and consumer behaviour (Georgantzis Garcia et al., 2021), particularly regarding food in our area of expertise. In an attempt to clarify this aspect, we define circular consumers as consumers who adopt consumption practices aligned with the principles of the circular economy and exhibit increased awareness of food origins, production methods, and the significance of sustainable practices. This awareness defines individuals capable of forming a deep connection with food, who endeavour to adopt more mindful eating practices, think about the entire life cycle of products when acquiring food, strive to reduce food waste and advocate for sustainability within the food system. Despite a strong policy foundation, its impact on consumer behavior remains controversial due to implementation gaps within member states (Mezzacapo, 2024), the dominance of linear production models (Omar First, a set of statements reflecting diverse viewpoints on a topic is carefully selected (the concourse). Participants then sort these statements along a distribution grid, typically ranging from strong agreement to strong disagreement (Q-sorting). The sorted data is analyzed using factor analysis to identify shared perspectives or viewpoints. Finally, these factors are interpreted to reveal distinct patterns of thought among participants. Following the standard steps of Q methodology, a structured set of 30 concourses was developed based on the existing literature, which aligns well with the guidelines of Q methodology as a manageable number (Brown, 1996). The statements were then reworded to begin with the phrase ‘Circular food consumption ...,’ following a structured approach to determine the Q sample (McKeown & Thomas, 2013). These statements were based on the National Policy Framework created by the Circular Economy Foundation (Sosa, et al., 2021) and were categorized under the ‘Environmental, Social, and Governance’ dimensions with an aim to address environmental impacts, social engagement, and governance structures essential for fostering circular food consumption. The framework includes five predictors — ‘Mobilize, Educate, Manage, Incentivize, and Regulate’. Although the framework initially designed for policymakers, its core principles—systemic change, awareness-building, stakeholder engagement, and incentivization—are equally relevant for influencing the adaptation of consumers’ circular practices. To maintain consistency between the number of statements and the ESG dimensions, two statements were selected for each predictor, resulting in ten statements per dimension and a total of thirty statements. A sample of 15 participants were anonymously recruited from the policy network. This group included policymakers, agency or authority directors, representatives from intermediate bodies, and academics involved in civil society (Vecchio et al., 2024). In the case of academics in particular, their inclusion in the civil society group is at a level where they indirectly influence policy, as their participation in policy-making is based largely on expertise and a desire to help society, not on the benefit of the government or institutions. The selection of individuals with a high level of subject matter awareness (Watts, 2012) prompted the use of a convenience sample. This involved identifying researchers within the policy network who represent various tiers and actively contribute to the field of food consumption, both through their academic or professional endeavors and their influence on policymakers' decisions. This study, serves as a European case study, primarily features policy makers in subnational, transnational, or intermediate roles, despite including some national level officials. This composition offers a comprehensive perspective on policy processes rather than a focus on national representation. On the other hand, although the number of participants may seem small, it aligns with the methodology as it suggests that the minimum number of participants should be half the number of statements (Stephenson, 1935). Each participant was asked to sort the 30 statements along a predefined scale ranging from -4 to +4, reflecting their subjective perspectives. Subsequently, factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify shared patterns of opinion, providing insight into how policy networks interpret and engage with circular food consumption. In the following section the discussion of first preliminary results will be provided. Discussion of results The Q-methodology analysis reveals four distinct perspectives on circular food consumption, each emphasizing different pathways to achieving sustainable food systems. These perspectives highlight the complexity and multidimensionality of circular food consumption, suggesting that successful implementation depends on addressing diverse stakeholder priorities. The first perspective, “The Power of Partnerships—Collaboration Drives Circularity,” emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder collaboration and collective action. This view suggests that fostering cooperation among various actors—from policymakers to consumers—is fundamental for advancing circular food systems. High-ranking statements highlight the importance of ‘incentivizing low-environmental-impact technologies, and better resource management strategies’, reflecting a belief that shared responsibility and collaborative governance are essential for sustainable outcomes. This perspective aligns with policy approaches that prioritize ‘multi-stakeholder engagement, and financial support’ as key enablers of change. The United Nations Development Programme underscores the necessity of a systemic, multi-level, and participatory approach to address the complex challenges in food systems (UNEP, FAO, & UNDP, 2023). As a result, the results of this cluster align well with the predictors Mobilise and Manage as there is a focus on fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive collective action and long-term change, and a focus on addressing better resource management strategies through collaborative governance approaches, respectively. In contrast, the second perspective, “Rules and Roots—Institutionalizing Circular Practices,” prioritizes ‘regulatory frameworks and institutional support’ as the primary drivers of circular food consumption. The opinion in this cluster emphasizes the need for ‘sustainability-focused consumer protection regulations, compliance mechanisms, and public procurement policies’ to foster trust and ensure the long-term adoption of circular practices. The emphasis on ‘government intervention’reflects a more top-down approach, highlighting the belief that robust institutional structures are necessary to embed circularity in food systems. The European Union's regulatory frameworks, such as the Packaging Act, aim to reduce single-use packaging and promote reusable alternatives, illustrating the role of legislation in driving circular economy initiatives (Kleiner, Strenger, & Schmid, 2024). Here the results support the predictors Regulate and Manage as it involves structuring institutional processes to ensure long-term adoption and implementation of circu