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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2019


Success StoryIncreasing Consumer Familiarity with Pawpaw Fruit



Increasing Consumer Familiarity with Pawpaw Fruit

Author: Sheri Crabtree

Planning Unit: KSU Administration

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Outcome: Initial Outcome


Despite pawpaw being a fruit native to Kentucky, many consumers and potential fruit growers are unfamiliar with the fruit and its uses. One impediment to consumers purchasing produce, particularly niche crops, is unfamiliarity with the flavor and how to use the produce. Sampling of fresh fruit and recipes, and recipe cards can help overcome this problem. Two pawpaw workshops were held in September 2022, one in Frankfort, KY, and one in Boone County, KY. 150 people registered for the workshop in Boone Co, and almost 100 attended in Frankfort, KY. After a presentation, fresh fruit, pawpaw ice cream, and pawpaw jam were available for participants to taste.  A survey was conducted afterwards to determine preference and willingness to purchase pawpaw fruit. Of 93 surveys received back, 26 participants had never eaten pawpaw fruit before, the workshop was their first time tasting the fruit. Of those participants who had never eaten pawpaw fruit before, 96% of them would be interested in purchasing the fruit, whether at the farmers market or other venue. 100% of respondents would purchase pawpaw ice cream, and 88% of respondents would purchase pawpaw jam. Allowing stakeholders the opportunity to taste pawpaw fruit and value added products increases familiarity, acceptance, interest, and willingness to purchase the product. This can increase the popularity and profitability of pawpaw fruit and products available in farmers markets, and give consumers more options for healthy locally grown foods.






Stories by Sheri Crabtree


Learning to graft pawpaw trees as a means to improve yield

about 5 years ago by Sheri Crabtree

Pawpaw is a native fruit to Kentucky; therefore many small farmers harvest fruit from wild pawpaw tr... Read More


Aiding nurseries in producing improved pawpaw cultivars for increased profits

about 5 years ago by Sheri Crabtree

Over 50 pawpaw cultivars are currently commercially available, however, the great majority of these ... Read More


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This summer, I chatted with a six-grader girl that attended my Rookie Cooking Camp last year. Rookie... Read More


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about 5 years ago by Louis Milligan

A Family Youth Resource Center Coordinator at Mcferran Preparatory Academy contacted Agent and reque... Read More