The problem

There is a growing trend of using edible flowers both to enrich the plate appearance and as nutritional value in the diet.

Program response

The local Friends and Flowers Club are dedicated to fostering a love for gardening and beautifying the local community. Most knew little to nothing about edible flowers and were pleasantly surprised to find there were many flowers that could be used safely that were edible and added value to the appearance of their meals. Using the Edible Flowers publication from the Center for Crop Diversification, a Minnesota Extension publication, and recipes developed by Dr. Sandra Bastin, a short PowerPoint was presented to whet the appetite of the attendees. A short demonstration on making candied flowers, including violets and rose petals, along with a taste test of dandelion jelly, allowed participants to see the creative and tasty side of using popular and safe flowers in food products and the advantages as a garnish for the plate.

The participants/target audience

Twenty-five club members and friends attended the one-time event. They were all seniors who lived in the Fayette County area and had a passion for gardening. 

Other partners (if applicable)

UK Cooperative Extension and Homebased Microprocessor Program was presented as viable resources for all things gardening.

Program impact or participant response.

A short evaluation was given verbally with a show of hands responses. Evaluation questions included, Name two ways you can choose safe, edible flowers; How long do edible flowers last once picked?; and Will you try using edible flowers in the future? 100% answered that reliable sources should be sought to choose safe, edible flowers, but should be pesticide free and have a good taste profile. 80% identified the correct storage length for maximum freshness; and 92% indicated they would try edible flowers in a recipe in the future from their garden. With the growing trend of consuming edible flowers for both health reasons and to add value to the dinner plate, it is essential that appropriate resources or training be available so consumers can make safe food choices when adding flowers to their diet.