Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 2: Locally Grown Blueberries in the Marketplace—Insights into Florida Consumers' Awareness of Brand Origin and Purchasing Behavior

Blueberries are dark-purple berries of perennial flowering plants of the genus Vaccinium.

The predicted or observable activity or manner in which people make decisions regarding the procurement of goods or services; specifically, what, when, why, where, how often and from whom goods and services are bought.

Local food systems are collaborative efforts that integrate food production, processing, marketing/distribution and consumption within a given geographical area, place or community. Local food systems may also be characterized by certain market and non-market distribution channels: farm direct marketing channels including farmer's markets, community supported agriculture (CSA), farm-to-institution programs; community and home gardening; and gleaning programs.

FRE departmental programs reflect the diversity of Florida's agriculture which has more than 200 commodities. The Department has 40 faculty members involved in a full range of research, extension, and teaching programs including Agribusiness and Consumer Behavior, International Development, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Marine Resource Economics, and Agricultural Economics, Trade, and Policy. In addition to 33 faculty members located at the main campus in Gainesville, seven faculty are found at research and education centers located throughout the state.