Three Essays in Consumer and Producer Decision-Making: Food Waste, Pesticide Use, and Local Markets

Abstract

This dissertation examines how individuals and producers make decisions in contexts characterized by uncertainty, imperfect information, and evolving market institutions in the food and agricultural system. Across three empirical studies, the work offers insights into how consumers interpret food safety signals, how farmers navigate pesticide use in complex input markets, and how state-level branding initiatives shape consumer demand for local agricultural products. The first essay examines how date labels influence household food discard decisions. In the United States, the current open-date labeling system lacks standardized definitions, resulting in widespread misinterpretation of common terms. Using controlled lab experiments across two U.S. locations, the study evaluates discard behavior for three perishable products, deli meat, eggs, and spaghetti sauce, under the labels “Use By” and “Best if Used By.” The results show that consumers consistently discard items labeled “Use By” earlier than those labeled “Best if Used By,” and this pattern holds across individuals with differing levels of ambiguity aversion. These discard decisions are driven largely by perception rather than actual spoilage, indicating that label wording alone can trigger premature disposal. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized date labeling policies to help reduce avoidable household food waste. The second essay examines pesticide use practices among smallholder farmers in West Bengal, India. Drawing on household survey data and focus group discussions, it highlights how pesticide dealers serve as primary information providers and credit intermediaries. Although farmers are aware of many risks, constraints related to advisory access, dealer dependency, and limited availability of protective equipment shape precautionary behavior. The analysis points to the importance of strengthening extension services and improving regulatory oversight. The third essay employs contingent valuation methods to estimate consumer willingness to pay for Alabama-grown fruits and vegetables and for products carrying the “Sweet Grown Alabama” branding label. Results indicate a positive premium for locally produced goods, though the magnitude varies across commodities and consumer groups. Together, these essays demonstrate how information signals, trust relationships, and place-based identity influence decisions in food systems, informing policies aimed at improving sustainability and market performance.