Local

Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm

Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, yAlicia Rihn

Both local origin and organic production methods are potential value-added attributes that ornamental plant growers and retailers can use to promote their products.

Teresa Olczyk, Qingren Wang, Edward A. Evans, Margie Pikarsky, yTeresa Olczyk

This publication promotes local vegetable consumption by pointing out some of the advantages, benefits, and business opportunities associated with local vegetable production and consumption. The targeted audiences of this article are food crop producers, consumers, business managers, extension agents and specialists, and government policy makers. Minor revision of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, written by Qingren Wang, Edward A. Evans, Margie Pikarsky, and Teresa Olczyk; 5 pp.

Jonathan Adam Watson, Danielle D. Treadwell, Catherine Campbell, and Ray Bucklin

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, Xuan Wei, yDouglas A. Phillips

This is part 3 of the "Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries" series, whose objective is to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Florida-grown fresh blueberries by analyzing consumers’ preferences for blueberry quality attributes. Audiences include Florida blueberry growers, marketers, and retailers. We identify the most significant attributes on labels and provide recommendations on how to optimize labeling to meet consumer demand and enhance market share. Part 3 focuses on health perceptions of fresh blueberries. Many US consumers seek healthy, sustainable food options like fruits and vegetables, blueberries among them, prompting increases in production, imports, and demand for fresh blueberries over the past decade. This publication aims to help those working to promote healthy dietary patterns better understand the impact of nutrition-related statements on consumer purchasing behavior, ultimately supporting efforts to encourage healthier eating patterns.

Catherine Campbell, Julia Graddy, Jeanette Andrade, yWendy Wilber

This publication provides an overview of the Healthy Harvest series. The series is for Florida residents who are interested in knowing more about crops that grow well in the state of Florida. Written by Catherine Campbell, Julia Graddy, Jeanette Andrade, and Wendy Wilber, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, June 2025.

Alexa Lamm, Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, yAlexa Lamm
Otros contactos: Ricky Telg

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Citizen awareness of food systems and the environment

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, Xuan Wei, yDouglas A. Phillips

Fresh blueberries have become one of Florida’s fastest-growing agricultural products. This growth aligns with growing consumer interest in local foods. Florida blueberry producers are capitalizing on demand by marketing their products with distinctive branding, particularly the Fresh From Florida logo. State production has met demand, but the Florida blueberry market faces challenges from imports from Mexico and Peru and from other US states. This publication is the first in a series designed to help local growers differentiate Florida-grown fresh blueberries in an increasingly competitive marketplace. It describes research into consumers’ purchasing preferences and awareness of locally grown fresh blueberries and identifies additional labels that can add value to existing ones to strengthen the competitive advantage of Florida-grown blueberries and attract more consumers.

Meri Hambaryan, Glory Oriviri, Candace Lantz, Nathan Palardy, John Lai, yBachir Kassas

Rising consumer interest in locally sourced, sustainably produced products presents an opportunity for breweries to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, as well as for local growers to supply the ingredients for which consumers are willing to pay extra. This publication, the second in a series that seeks to provide Florida breweries with state-specific, data-driven marketing information to help grow their consumer base, explores Florida consumers’ preferences and the premiums that Florida consumers are willing to pay for beer made with local ingredients and sustainability certification. Authors examine how premiums vary across Florida’s largest metro areas: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. This information can inform growers of potential market opportunities and brewers of product differentiation strategies. Includes a list of key insights for breweries, growers, and Extension agents. 

You's Kertye Myrtil, Vander Rocha Lacerda, Xiaoying Li, Guodong Liu, yPavlos Tsouvaltzis

Edamame (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) has been consumed for centuries in Asia and is becoming increasingly popular in the United States for its nutritional profile and culinary versatility. Typically boiled or steamed, edamame is a rich source of protein and fiber. This publication highlights its nutritional properties, common cooking methods, major marketing strategies, and current trends in domestic production. While most edamame consumed in the United States is still imported, domestic production is gradually expanding, including in Florida. This guide provides insights and an overview for consumers, Florida’s growers (especially small-scale and urban farmers), and Extension agents interested in exploring this emerging specialty crop.

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, yAlicia Rihn

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Citizen awareness of food systems and the environment

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, yDouglas A. Phillips

This is part 3 of the "Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries" series, whose objective is to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Florida-grown fresh blueberries by analyzing consumers’ preferences for blueberry quality attributes. Audiences include Florida blueberry growers, marketers, and retailers. We identify the most significant attributes on labels and provide recommendations on how to optimize labeling to meet consumer demand and enhance market share. Part 3 focuses on health perceptions of fresh blueberries. Many US consumers seek healthy, sustainable food options like fruits and vegetables, blueberries among them, prompting increases in production, imports, and demand for fresh blueberries over the past decade. This publication aims to help those working to promote healthy dietary patterns better understand the impact of nutrition-related statements on consumer purchasing behavior, ultimately supporting efforts to encourage healthier eating patterns.