First Advisor

Jacob Suher

Date of Award

8-18-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration: Marketing and University Honors

Department

Business Administration

Subjects

Farm produce -- Quality -- Public opinion, Consumer behavior, Natural foods, Grocery shopping

DOI

10.15760/honors.498

Abstract

Attention on organic produce and food waste is becoming increasingly intense in the United States. Consumers typically prefer aesthetically perfect produce, forcing grocery stores to throw away blemished fruits and vegetables. Organic produce is typically more blemished than conventional produce. Little research has been done to examine the consumer’s preference for conventional versus organic produce, and the point, if any, where consumers are more likely to choose one over the other. We conducted a controlled online study where we showed participants various organic and conventional apples with varying degrees of imperfections, and asked participants a series of questions about which they preferred. From this study, we learned that typically, consumers believe organic produce is healthier than conventional produce and are more willing to accept blemished organic produce when they know which is organic and which is conventional. If neither is labeled, consumers will then judge solely off the aesthetics of the apple. With this information, farmers may be able to sell more of their produce to stores than they previously thought while grocery stores will want to consider how they are labeling and marketing their produce.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23157

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