The awareness of food origin in the consumers’ perspective has gradually become more significant not only in reference to consumers from highly developed countries but also from emerging ones, which are already on their way from a developing to developed economy. The purpose of the paper is to answer the research question by verifying four hypotheses formulated in the research process. The research question is: "Do the variables which characterize consumers of food products in Poland, including gender, age, education and financial status, affect the aspects related to food traceability, such as identification of the producer, importance of food product features when shopping, importance of the information given on food product packaging and influence of the shopping place and frequency on tracing the food origin?" The paper presents the results, analysis, and conclusions from the study in reference to the four assumed hypotheses related to the above-mentioned research question. The study was carried out on a group of 500 consumers of food products in Poland. The study topic selection is justified by the assumed significance of tracing back a food product’s origin for a consumer who functions in a globalization-based economy; this was confirmed by the subject literature presented in the paper.

A conscious approach to the issue of food traceability on the part of consumers is essential for making rational food purchases, which in turn contributes to sustainable consumption and globally, is an element of sustainable development. The study aims to assess the changes in consumers’ buying behaviors in the context of food traceability before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of sociodemographic factors on those changes. Therefore, an online survey was conducted on a sample of 1000 respondents who were Polish food consumers. The study covered aspects related to the traceability of food by consumers before and during the pandemic. The results allowed for positive verification of the H1: Polish consumers attitudes related to food buying process changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results didn’t allow for fully positive verification of the H2: Sociodemographic factors significantly influence Polish consumers attitudes to the food shopping during COVID-19 period compared to pre-pandemic period. The significant influence was supported in almost all (in 6 out of 8) analyzed aspects in case of age, education, and place of residence. However, in case of gender it was confirmed only in terms of two out of eight aspects: choosing product of national origin and using the online form of ordering purchases.

Since meat is an important source of protein needed for human development across the world, responsible production and consumption of meat products with a food quality and safety scheme label is one potential option to maintain social, economic and environmental sustainability. The implementation of this option depends on high willingness-to-pay (WTP) for certified safe foods among citizens. The overarching aim of the study is to examine WTP for national food quality and safety cues on the packaging of meat products. Using a questionnaire on-line survey of 1000 individuals, this study examines relationships between demographic variables and WTP for certified meat products. Relatively younger and higher-income consumers living in households composed of 4 and more members, which are the decision-makers of the future, are most willing to pay a premium price for guaranteed quality meat products. The strongest predictor of WTP for certified quality meat is the number of household members which can be related to children raising and care. A choice of guaranteed quality meat products is putting into practice “less but better” meat approach which tackle sustainable challenges of meat production and consumption regarding issues related to animal welfare, human health and environment.

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