Browsing by Author "Lemos, Teresa"
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- Exploring demand: challenges and opportunities for free-from and organic foods in Portuguese marketPublication . Lemos, Teresa; Vasconcelos, Marta; Sousa, Sérgio; Pinho, Simão; Gomes, Ana M.; Pinto, ElisabeteThe rising prevalence of food intolerances and increased health and environmental consciousness has driven the demand for free-from (FF) and organic products. This study aims to analyze consumer needs, motivations, and challenges related to these products in Portugal through an online survey with 2268 eligible responses, with a median age of the participants of 41 years. The sample was predominantly female (76.9%), with male participants comprising 23.1% of the sample. The results show that 97.4% of the respondents were aware of FF products, with 60.0% being regular consumers, particularly of lactose-free milk and gluten-free bread and biscuits. Significant market gaps were identified in the variety of FF bread (62.8%), pastries (49.0%), and cookies (38.4%). The consumers identified high prices (84.9%) and excessive sugar/fat content (52.1%) as the main drawbacks of FF products currently on the market. The women showed greater knowledge and purchase levels compared to the men. The trust in organic certification was low (21.4%), with skepticism higher among the lower-income and male participants. Despite this, 78.1% believed in the health benefits of organic products, and 72.2% agreed that increased demand could lower prices. Overall, this study highlights the need for greater product variety, improved transparency, and consumer education to enhance market trust and accessibility.
- Mass tourism, cultural heritage, and traditional values within citizen lifestyle in Porto (Portugal): an overview through the HAC4CG projectPublication . Vieira, Eduarda; Pelaez, Ana; Rosa, Inês; Lemos, Teresa; Bordalo, Rui; Vasconcelos, Marta; Moreira, PatríciaPorto has a rich urban mesh and unique cultural identity, whose preservation has been the basis of its historic centre classification as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1996). The increase in demand of Porto as a tourism destination since 2015 was simultaneously favoured by the opening of Porto’s airport new terminal that greatly powered low-cost companies and the licensing for the rehabilitation of houses for hostels and restaurants. These were factors of opportunity that allowed an exponential growth of tourism and a for-profit rehabilitation process in the entire city without proper control. Beyond the impact on housing and gentrification, mass tourism has had a great impact on the city’s lifestyle. The local community is currently confronted with these rapid metamorphoses, becoming the agent of a process of acculturation that is complex and unsustainable in the long run and with implications in the construction of Identity and future Collective Memory. Furthermore, to attract the newly arrived costumers and their diverse culinary preferences, the traditional local gastronomy has been changed, remodelled, and repackaged. Deep changes were observed either in traditional food consumption value chains as well in the grocery’s stores, markets, and restaurants. This communication aims to highlight the preliminary results of the research conducted under the HAC4GC project.