Introduction
To determine parishioners' attitudes and behaviors toward food, on Sept. 30, 2001 St. Joan's eco-spirituality committee distributed a survey that was completed by 1076 people.  This report contains a summary of the survey findings most important to committee members.  For more information see the parish web site. 

Percentage of Respondents per Age Group:
· Ages 0-20  3%  · Ages 21-40 29%  · Ages 41-60 48%  · Ages over 60 19%

Respondents' Living Arrangements and Usual Eating Habits
· 22% live alone; 32% eat alone.     · 4% live with friends; 15% eat with friends.
· 75% live with family; 64% eat with family. · 51% said they felt better eating with others; 22% disagreed.

Usual Food Buying Location
· 49% chain or neighborhood grocery stores · 13% coop   · 8% directly from food producer
 
Closeness to Farms
  · 33% said they had farming in their family in past 75 years; 47% said they did not.
  · 24% said they had frequent opportunities to visit farms; 50% said they did not.

Reasons for Choosing Particular Foods (multiple answers permitted)
· 86% taste   · 76% nutrition  · 49% aesthetics · 43% convenience  · 37% cost   · 13% ethics
 
Food Habits
· 60% usually eat meals made from scratch     · 22% usually eat packaged foods
· 68% seldom eat in ways that cause health problems.  · 22% often eat when they don't need to eat.
· 33% usually pray at meals.        · 39% seldom pray at meals.
· 24% can, freeze or dry fresh food for later use    · 17% frequently throw away food         
Committee Conclusions - Topics for Discussion, Learning
· Economics vs. Ethics of our Food Choices   · Connecting with the Sources of our Food
· Canning, Freezing & Drying Food    · Sacredness of Food
   
Committee Conclusions -- Recommended Action steps
· Discuss survey findings with family & friends  · Explore one resource on our list
· Commit to one change in personal eating habits · Practice one suggestion made by speaker Terry Gips

A List of Resources >>