Assessing consumer-perceived urban food environment domains: a cross-sectional study of accessibility, affordability and convenience across selected urban sites in 11 Indian states

Purpose This study aims to assess consumer-perceived food environment domains- accessibility, affordability and convenience, and their influence on food purchasing behavior among households surveyed in selected urban sites across 11 Indian states. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study assessed consumer perceptions of food accessibility, affordability and convenience across selected urban sites in 11 Indian states. Approximately 102 households per site were selected using multi-stage stratified random sampling, and primary household decision-makers (≥18 years) were surveyed using a contextualized questionnaire adapted from global tools. Findings Among 1,117 participants, local markets were the primary reported food source, while e-commerce use increased with income and education. Low-income groups reported purchasing more snacks and sweets, whereas high-income groups reported more frequent purchases of fast foods and beverages. Pulses, nuts, oils, fruits and meats were commonly perceived as expensive. Under a hypothetical income increase, participants indicated a preference for higher-quality and more varied foods. Perceived convenience was mainly influenced by accessibility, storage and preparation, with atta, rice, pulses and milk rated as most convenient. Originality/value This study contributes novel, context-specific evidence on consumer-perceived food environments across selected urban sites in India. Using a standardized assessment across 11 states, it provides a comprehensive understanding of perceived accessibility, affordability and convenience and their relationship with household food purchasing behaviors, offering valuable evidence for researchers, practitioners and policymakers working to improve urban food systems.