Better food systems need better data. Understanding how people buy, cook and eat is essential to designing solutions that can work in everyday life. Personal data can provide valuable insights into these behaviours, but none of this is possible without people’s willingness to share it. So, what makes people say yes?
The new infopack, titled “Barriers and Enablers for Sharing Food-Related Personal Data“, brings together evidence from research and citizens’ own experiences to explore what gets in the way of food data sharing, and what can make participation easier and more trustworthy.
The publication combines a scoping literature review, with 41 studies analysed in depth, and insights gathered through focus groups in six Citizen Science Labs.
The research identifies several familiar barriers, including the time and effort required to log food-related information, complicated tools, privacy concerns, and unanswered questions about data ownership and control.
But the infopack also sheds light on the enablers that can turn reluctance into participation. People are more willing to share when they understand why their data is being collected and how it will be used, know who can access it, and feel they remain in control of their information. A clear and meaningful benefit also matters, from support for healthier eating to practical ways of reducing food waste.
Trust is another key factor. Research institutions emerged as by far the most trusted actors to handle personal data, highlighting the importance of who collects and manages people’s information.
The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, researchers, industry and practitioners working to develop more transparent and citizen-centred approaches to food data sharing.
The message is straightforward: collecting data is only part of the challenge. Creating the conditions that make people comfortable and willing to share it is just as important.
Read and download the full infopack and explore the full study, Insight into Barriers for Sharing Personal Data Related to Food.
Photo credits: HBK
