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,

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,

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,

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,

Certification and Labeling of Forest Products: Will It Lead to More Environmentally Benign Forestry in Maine?

From a supply and demand point of view, the trend toward forest-products certification appears simple: some retail consumers may prefer to buy products from forests managed in an environmentally sound way while some forest owners may be willing to alter their management practices in order to sell to these consumers. However, as the authors indicate, the issue of communicating to consumers the degree of “environmental good” being purchased can be complicated and may be a factor affecting the long-term success of certification programs. The authors present the results of a recent survey that assessed the use of two types of consumer labels—eco-seals and eco-labels. They conclude that the current practice in the forest-products industry of using eco-seals alone to market the “environmental goodness” of products may not be as effective as other types of labels that provide consumers with detailed information about the product’s environmental attributes

RESTAURANT AND SUPERMARKET LOBSTER PRICE PERCEPTIONS, RESPONSES, AND STRATEGIES

Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis,

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,

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,

A FOCUS GROUP STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMERS' POTATO PURCHASING DECISIONS

This research reports the findings of focus group interviews which explored potato buying motives and preferences for russet, red skinned and round white potatoes among selected Northeastern consumers. The results indicate that the group members perceived all russets as "Idaho" potatoes, associated the red potatoes with gourmet meals, and viewed the round whites as generic potatoes, unsuitable for company meals. However, participants identified round whites as their personal favorite and as the kind they purchased most often

A FOCUS GROUP STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMERS' POTATO PURCHASING DECISIONS

This research reports the findings of focus group interviews which explored potato buying motives and preferences for russet, red skinned and round white potatoes among selected Northeastern consumers. The results indicate that the group members perceived all russets as "Idaho" potatoes, associated the red potatoes with gourmet meals, and viewed the round whites as generic potatoes, unsuitable for company meals. However, participants identified round whites as their personal favorite and as the kind they purchased most often.Consumer/Household Economics,