Vol.2, No.4, 505-510 (2011) Agricultural Sciences doi:10.4236/as.2011.24065 Copyright © 2011 SciRes. Openly accessible at http://www.scirp.org/journal/AS/ Analysis of the relation between organic products consumption and box schemes use in Alicante (Spain) Fernando Vidal, David Bernardo López * , Francisco José del Campo Departamento de Economía Agroambiental, EPSO, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Carretera de Beniel, Orihuela (Alicante), España; * Corresponding Author: david.lopez@umh.es Received 29 August 2011; revised 27 September 2011; accepted 15 October 2011. ABSTRACT Box-schemes or organic food subscription plans consist on a regular delivery of a box of seasonal fruits and/or vegetables, preferably organic, cul- tivated in the vicinity at a specified point using subscription, The object of the present work is trying to examine whether there is a relationship between consumer knowledge about these short distribution channels and the consumption of organic products in the province of Alicante. A survey has been conducted among 400 usual food buyers in this Spanish province. It has been found that the consumption of organic products and the knowledge of such initiatives are linked. We recommend to companies that use this type of distribution channel to publicize its benefits. Keywords: Box-Scheme; Environmental; Consumer; Knowledge; Distribution 1. INTRODUCTION A box-scheme is a regular home delivery (or at a cen- tral sale point), through subscription, of a seasonal fruit and/or vegetables box, preferably organic, locally culti- vated. Factors identified as success keys of this market- ing channel are: supply variety, price/quality ratio, high- quality and reliable delivery (Alonso and Guzmán, 2002 [1] and 2006 [2]; Alonso et al., 2002 [3]; Haldy, 2004 [4]; Midmore et al., 2004 [5]; Padel et al., 2004 [6]; Cavard and Baros, 2005 [7]; Seyfang, 2006 [8]; Baros, 2007 [9]; Brown et al., 2009 [10]; Diaz et al., 2009 [11]; Gliess- man and Rosemeyer, 2010 [12,13]). Main operational features of this distribution tool are: regular delivery; product range and limited customer choice. Spanish fresh fruit and vegetables consumption tends to equalize models in European developed countries based on differentiation and segmentation factors ac- cording to demographic and social trends, and the in- corporation to the demand function of product new fea- tures and values of new features and values relative to the product (Sanchez et al., 2001 [14]; Brugarolas and Rivera, 2001 [15]; Colom and Saez, 2001 [16]; Soler et al., 2002 [17]; Bernabéu et al., 2004 [18]; Montoro and Castaneda, 2005 [19]; Brugarolas et al., 2005 [20] and 2007 [21]). Spain, despite being a major producer of organic farm- ing, has a weak market and most of this production (around 85%) is exported (Alonso, 2001 [22]; Guzmán and Alonso, 2003 [23]). The growth of emerging envi- ronmental markets need to maintain and enhance short distribution channels and farmers cooperation (Alonso and Guzmán, 2000 [24]; Cobo and González, 2001 [25]; Vicente and Ruiz, 2003 [26]; Padel et al. 2004 [6], Alonso, 2004 [27]; Midmore et al., 2004 [5]; Diaz et al., 2009 [11]). This work aims to examine if there is a relationship between consumer knowledge of these distribution chan- nels and consumption of organic products in Alicante province. Variables related to fresh product characteris- tics that were most important for consumers have been defined as factors. Then, segmentations have been made attending organic products consumption and the box- schemes level of knowledge. Finally, relationship be- tween both is analysed. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 400 surveys were made throughout the province of Alicante, with a maximum error of 5% and a level of confidence of 95%, through a conglomerates sampling with ramdom subsampling, looking for usual market basket buyers of the usual food basket in entrance access to facilities (supermarkets, hypermarkets, central mar- kets, street markets, etc.). In order to get a self—weighed up resulting sample, the selection of conglomerates was done related to their size at the first stage. Participation units in the sample were also proportional to the size of the conglomerate at the second stage. A pre-test to 20 people was done to