The responsible consumption of groceries refers to only purchasing goods that are sustainably, ethically, locally and seasonally sourced. It also includes choosing items based on responsible waste habits, such as items that are packaged sustainably or produce zero waste.

Where and why consumers purchase their goods relies on a variety of decision factors, including: price, habits (such as eating whatever they want, whenever they want), convenience, preferences, education about food production, environmental impact, seasonal choices and quality. These decision factors do not always align with the purchase of responsible groceries.