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,

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,

DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMERS' PURCHASE DECISION FOR MAINE ROUND WHITE POTATOES

Potatoes are marketed by type (i.e. round white, russet, red, etc.), rather than by variety. However, the round white varieties currently marketed by the Maine potato industry are known to differ considerably in terms of product characteristics. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that consumer acceptance of potatoes in home use varies by variety and to quantify how their level of acceptance and other characteristics impact their repurchase decision. A discrete choice model was used. The results indicated that consumers do differentiate round white potato varieties based on the performance of the potatoes in home use. Their willingness to repurchase the round white potatoes is affected by the variety used and the overall serving quality of the potatoes in home use.Consumer/Household Economics,

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

VALUE DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUE-TESTED POTATOES

This study analyzed consumer response to potatoes tested for pesticide residues. These potatoes were packed in five pound bags and priced at three different levels in participating supermarkets. Even when sold at identical prices, consumers continued to favor the traditional round white over the reside-tested potatoes. However, sales of residue-tested were equal at all three price levels, indicating little price resistance among consumers interested in this type of product

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

DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMERS' PURCHASE DECISION FOR MAINE ROUND WHITE POTATOES

Potatoes are marketed by type (i.e. round white, russet, red, etc.), rather than by variety. However, the round white varieties currently marketed by the Maine potato industry are known to differ considerably in terms of product characteristics. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that consumer acceptance of potatoes in home use varies by variety and to quantify how their level of acceptance and other characteristics impact their repurchase decision. A discrete choice model was used. The results indicated that consumers do differentiate round white potato varieties based on the performance of the potatoes in home use. Their willingness to repurchase the round white potatoes is affected by the variety used and the overall serving quality of the potatoes in home use

IMPACT OF IMPROVED MARKETING ON MAINE POTATO SALES, REVENUE, AND MARKET SHARE

Marketing,