Young Consumers' Perception of Information on Environmental and Social Activities of Food Companies

The implementation of the concept of sustainable development by entrepreneurs increasingly reflects the voluntary nature of undertaken practices and the obligations imposed by legal regulations, particularly those related to Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) reporting. This chapter examines the perception of information on environmental and social activities undertaken by entrepreneurs as factors influencing the food selection process among young consumers. The results indicate that only one-fourth of respondents consider environmental and social aspects, which may stem from concerns about the “greenwashing” of socio-environmental initiatives carried out by business representatives – a problem reported by one-third of respondents. Conclusions underscore the importance of building and maintaining the reliability and transparency of information concerning ESG initiatives, as such efforts can enhance the credibility of enterprises in the eyes of their audiences and strengthen the role of social and environmental engagement in shaping the purchasing decisions of young consumers.