Sustainable consumption in Australia: a review of marketing strategies used in the local organic food sector

The security and sustainability of our food systems are under increasing scrutiny as governments grapple with the challenges presented by climate change, peak oil and population growth. Organic food comes from a well-established production method and is available to most consumers in the developed world. When including local sourcing of organic food, the sustainability of this food choice for consumers is enhanced. A detailed investigation of the marketing strategies used in this sector concludes that local organic food purchasers do make a contribution to sustainable consumption as an exemplar from which other food systems may adapt selected components. However, as much of the evidence base is incomplete, a research agenda is proposed to facilitate local organic food increasing its contribution to the policy, practice and theory of sustainable consumption.