Food is surely the most essential aspect of all life, though unlike animals that hunt or graze, we, as people, mostly buy from shops. When shopping for food, there are many factors that individuals take into consideration, each of which is usually based on their personal circumstances. I would tend to think that cost influences people sometimes, though not as much as quality, hygiene, or health.
When people buy food, they usually purchase what they need for their families and what they can afford generally. It is very rare that someone would wonder about where their food comes from. For example, when I buy rice or fruit, I never think about where it comes from or how it was produced. Additionally, people do not usually ponder about the effort that went into the production of their food, such as the difficulties faced by the farmers or the weather.
Costs are also a criterion, but certainly not the only one. For a person who has sufficient financial means, the price of an item certainly would not be a problem. However, in some situations where some items become exorbitant, it may influence the purchase. I remember a time when the price of drumsticks went to Rs. 400/- a kilo; I had to forgo it. On the other hand, for a poor person, the price may be the most important factor.
Finally, there are other things that determine what people buy. The main one of these is quality. People would not buy things that are spoilt or stored in unhygienic circumstances. Another factor is the ingredients, which a lot of people look at these days. In today’s world, people are conscious about added sugars and artificial preservatives, which are a part of all packaged food products.
In conclusion, it is usually factors like quality, cleanliness, and content that determine if people would buy food items. While cost does play a role, I do not think it is the sole criteria, and I certainly do not think people really care about how their food is made.