B509: Commercial Washing of Maine Potatoes

Shippers and receivers displayed considerable interest in a previous study which showed that shoppers would choose washed potatoes in preference to unwashed potatoes even though the washed potatoes were being sold at a premium price. The previous study was carried out with washing, grading, packaging, transporting, displaying, and pricing of the potatoes under the direct supervision of research personnel. The industry expressed a desire to test the acceptance of washed potatoes under commercial conditions where market forces would control demand and establish price. This study was conducted with that purpose in mind.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1081/thumbnail.jp

B493: Consumer Acceptance of Washed Maine Potatoes

The broad objective of this study was to determine the feasibility as well as the problems associated with washing Maine potatoes. This is particularly important at this time in view of the general preference of housewives for clean potatoes as determined by a national survey by the United States Department of Agriculture and the increasing supplies of washed potatoes from competing areas in markets Maine normally serves. Specific objectives of this study were to determine (1) the keeping qualities of washed potatoes, (2) the costs associated with washing Maine potatoes including equipment, fuel, water, and shrinkage, and (3) the acceptance of washed Maine potatoes by the wholesale and retail trade.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1079/thumbnail.jp