The Survey Progresses

The survey moves along at a snail’s pace. I pounce on any unsuspecting friend or acquaintance I consider might be amenable to a short verbal questionnaire about Australian food. I haven’t had any refusals so far and everyone questioned has made it beyond the first two qualifying questions.

I have framed the survey around supermarket shopping, label reading and alternative sources for procuring Australian produce. The questions are straightforward and even with the score or so of people approached to this point , everyone has made some comment or given an opinion about their reasons for buying what they buy in the food line.

It’s been an interesting experience and I come away from most question and answer sessions with more food for thought about the buying habits of people and their attitude towards Australian produce. Not everybody is able to take advantage of farmers markets and other markets and not everybody has the time and the inclination to read labels.

Without exception, people questioned are in favour of supporting Australian farmers in theory, if not in practice. Label reading is time consuming and often price is a criterion when an item is picked off the shelf; farmer’s markets are a popular idea but are sometimes seen as not being conveniently close or they won’t have all the items that might be available in the fruit and vegetable section of the supermarkets.

In the following post I have set out the new, revised set of questions , if anyone is interested enough to want to participate by email, leave a comment and I will consider setting up a system

The Survey

Here is the format that my small survey takes:

I'd just like to ask you a few questions about shopping and Australian produced food if I may?

Q1:   Do you do the supermarket shopping?

Q2:   In store or on line?

Q3:   Are you in favour of supporting Australian farmers and the produce they grow?

Q4:   Do you read the labels on the food you buy in the supermarket?

Q5:   Are you reading them for
         (a)   country of product origin?
         (b)   sugar/fat content?
         (b)  other dietary considerations?

Q6:   What's most important at the supermarket for you?
         (a)   price?
         (b)   convenience?
         (c)   range of products available?

Q7:   Do you buy your food elsewhere. e.g. farmer's markets, big fresh produce markets or local butchers or         greengrocers?

Q8:   Do you ever consider food miles, energy consumed or water required to produce the food you eat?

Q9:    Would you consider that within a 24 hour time frame you would be able to make all your meals and snacks from Australian produced food?  (Remember this means no eating out - unless you know a cafe that serves only Australian food and drink; if there is such a place please tell me about it!!)

Thank you for taking the time to participate in my survey.
        

The survey kicks off

I set off bright and early this morning for the city, to meet two long standing friends who had no inkling they were to be the first two people to be interviewed for my grand Ausfood survey. I have restricted it to seven main questions which may be adjusted in the future according to the reactions of the participants.  I really want to use the word surveyees ( in the same vein as the words employer and employee might be used) however the website offering answers to questions from linguists, etymologists and serious English language enthusiasts hold out for the use of participants.  Boring.  To my chagrin it appears the word surveyees does not exist. Until now.

While waiting for the tram, an older couple asked me for information about the trams stopping at this tramstop and their destinations.   I asked if they would be interested in taking part in a small survey. Quid pro quo. They agreed and we didn't get beyond the first question before a domestic breaks out in the form of who does the most supermarket shopping.  Is it Frank or is it Marie?  This is an unforeseen situation and I mentally file away a plan for dealing with questioning couples, allow them a couple of minutes to argue and then guide them on to the next question. Happily they are both strongly in favour of supporting Australian farmers but my survey is rudely interrupted by the arrival of the tram.  End of the first two surveys. At least I made it to the end of the two qualifying questions.

Later in the city over a cup of coffee I put the complete survey to my friends. This leads to another altercation, this one between the surveyor and one of the surveyees.  She lives in Canada but claims that holding an Australian passport and having currently lived the last three months in Australia makes her well qualified to take part in the survey.  I acquiesce. Peace at any price is my motto at this stage of the debate. I am  lectured by the Canadian about becoming a public nuisance - going around asking questions of complete strangers.  She may have a very valid point there but one which will not hold me back one bit.

I am well pleased with the reaction to my survey.  Even complete strangers, in the form of Frank and Marie, have an opinion on supporting Australian farmers by buying Australian produce. And frank and fearless criticism from friends can only be a good thing and make me sharpen up my ideas.  Everyone I ask will be sure to add another dimension to the overall scheme regarding this project.

It's been good fun today and there's always room for a bit of fun amongst the daily routine I say.