Objective:

to evaluate the association between the economic situation with fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and the sustainability practices in households of the five municipalities that make up the Metropolitan Area of Caracas.

Methodology:

A correlational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out by a secondary analysis of the information collected in the questionnaire on determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption applied to a non-probabilistic intentional sample of 1040 households from five municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas.

Results:

The variables most associated with fruit and vegetable consumption (197.9 ± 5.9 g/day average) were socioeconomic status and F&V expenditure. In households with an expenditure of less than $15, F&V consumption was as low as 84.9 g/day. Households with a monthly income of less than $50 had a F&V consumption of 136.1 g/day. The lowest-income households with the lowest expenditure on F&V were highlighted because 33% of them do not check the refrigerator before buying F&V, 46.2% do not buy seasonal F&V, 27.6% choose to buy damaged or ugly F&V, 74.1% avoid throwing away F&V and 76.9% reuse leftover F&V in other preparations.

Conclusions:

F&V consumption, as well as sustainability practices, were associated with the economic situation of households in the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. The upper strata consume and waste more F&V, while the opposite occurs in the lower strata. The lack of economic income that affects the intake of F&V could have an impact on the food basket in general; it is recommended to carry out studies on the cost of a healthy diet in the country.