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.
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