Food delivery apps and bread baking in spotlight amid lockdown

The number of households that get their groceries in shopping centres has been halved and almost 20% have been buying local.

The share of using home deliveries for fresh fruits and vegetables spiked by as much as 152%. Moreover, some 14% of the households have been ordering food online.

Whereas Slovenians bought groceries multiple times per week in the pre-corona times, the epidemic has changed their shopping routines with most going to the shops once per week or even less frequently. A total of 60% are equipped with a grocery list and more than 40% have stepped up storing extra food.

Food has increased in value with home growing and homemade meals getting more attention. More than a third have been consuming more food during the epidemic. A similar share have also reported throwing out less food.

More than 60% have been baking bread at home at least once a week with a third of those saying they will keep up the habit.

Almost two thirds believe grocery shopping poses a risk of getting infected with the novel coronavirus. More than 40% clean or disinfect packaging after shopping.

The institute thinks that the epidemic will have a long-lasting impact on Slovenia's food supply and dietary habits. Researchers have highlighted the importance of making a meal out of unprocessed foods and the role of sustainable food supply.

Roughly 20% of the respondents believe that they will make a habit of their lockdown perspectives and actions regarding food.

The survey was conducted in late April as part of the Food-Covid-19 international study and included more than 600 households with some 1,900 people.