DIFFERENCE IN RETAIL AND FOODSERVICE SEAFOOD BUYERS IMPRESSION OF AQUACULTURAL PRODUCT

Consumer/Household Economics,

B795: Production, Marketing, Socieconomic Characteristics and the Perceived Needs of Maine\u27s Small Farmers

For nearly 30 years small scale farming was considered inefficient and undesirable. Small farmers found it increasingly difficult to compete with large operators in the market place because of insufficient produce quantity, the seasonal nature of their production, and lack of marketing information . During this period, large commercial farmers moved to higher levels of management sophistication and use of modern production technology. The market system also became more sophisticated because of mass marketing of agricultural products, monocultural production techniques,and highly advanced assembly and distribution systems. In the late 1960\u27s and early 1970\u27s, it became evident that consumers\u27 food buying behavior across the nation was changing. Food buying clubs and consumer cooperatives began to emerge as food prices increased. Also, many consumer food preferences change~with quality factors such as freshness, taste, cultural methods, packaging techniques, and nutrition becoming more important to people . These changes provided opportunity for small scale farming. A profile of Maine\u27s small scale farms and farmers was created so that their needs can be better served. This profile will hopefully provide a base for more effective research, education, and service. All variables examined were categorized by gross sales category, to greater assist in developing a complete profile of the small farm in Maine.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1126/thumbnail.jp

A PROFILE OF THE SPECIALTY FOOD RETAILING INDUSTRY IN THE EASTERN U.S.

This study investigated product introductions, marketing and distribution patterns among specialty food retailers in the eastern U. S. Based on 547 responses to a mailed survey, the results portray specialty food retailers as an extremely diverse group ranging from those who carry small specialty food sections within standard grocery or department stores to those who exclusively sell specialty foods. Respondents reported that new introductions account for about 22% of their total specialty food sales and that on average, they introduce about 23 products in a typical year. When evaluating new products, their most important considerations are quality followed by uniqueness.Agribusiness,

THE FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY: A PROFILE AND EXAMINATION OF EASTERN FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTORS

The foodservice industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades and represents a major market for agricultural producers. The expansion of the foodservice industry has precipitated changes in the organization and structure of the industry and its distribution chain. The central link of particular interest to suppliers is the foodservice distributor industry. In addition to describing the organizational and structural components of the foodservice industry, this research describes the function of the foodservice distributors and analyzes key characteristics of distributors located throughout the eastern United States.Agribusiness,

DEMAND FOR WILD BLUEBERRIES AT FARM AND PROCESSOR LEVELS

The wild blueberry crop harvested in Maine and eastern Canada has increased considerably in recent years. The purpose of this study is to understand the recent trends in demand for wild blueberries with particular attention to the effects of production and the marketing of wild and cultivated blueberries. A price response model was developed to analyze farm-gate price and the processor price, using annual data from 1978 through 1997. Key explanatory variables in the model include quantity of wild blueberries, real per capita disposable income, the quantity of processed cultivated blueberries, and carry-over stocks of frozen blueberries.Demand and Price Analysis,

TB111: An Examination of Alternative Investment Strategies for Potato Market Improvement Funds

The primary objective of this study was to implement Potato Market Improvement Fund policy objectives and industry goals, using current production, storage, and packing operation data, to suggest alternative investment strategies for PMIF dollars.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1095/thumbnail.jp

TB96: A Prediction Model for Maine\u27s Potato Production

For a state whose economy is significantly dependent on the health of the potato industry, a mechanism to forecast the expected level of production with a reasonable degree of accuracy could be a valuable tool for economic analysis and planning. The objective of this study is to develop an econometric model to predict production using selected data which are available well before the crop is harvested.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1103/thumbnail.jp

A STUDY OF CONSUMERS AT A SMALL FARMERS' MARKET IN MAINE: RESULTS FROM A 1995 SURVEY

This study was based on a survey of customers who shopped at a small farmers' market during the summer/fall market season of 1995. Information from a survey completed by 239 shoppers was used to develop a profile of the primary consumer group, defined as those who shop regularly at the market and spend the most per visit. Comparisons between survey data and census data for the local population showed that primary shoppers at the market had higher education, higher annual household income, tended to be slightly older, and were more likely to be employed women. For the most part, the respondents were loyal, weekly shoppers who patronized the market because of the high quality of the products. Most reported that they were willing to pay more for produce at the farmers' market.Consumer/Household Economics,

APPLE PREFERENCES, FORMULATION AND TESTING: RED DELICIOUS, MCINTOSH AND EMPIRE

Consumer/Household Economics,

TESTING FOR DIFFERENCES IN CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF IDENTICALLY APPEARING POTATO VARIETIES

Like many other vegetables, potatoes are marketed by type (russet, round white, red), rather than by variety (Burbak, Katahdin, Pontiac). Although varieties of the same type have similar outward appearances, they are also known to have different internal and cooking characteristics. There has been considerable controversy over the need for variety identification promotion in the potato industry. A consumer response study that distinguished between user satisfaction with different potato varieties was viewed as a step toward resolving this issue.Consumer/Household Economics,