Project Type: Research Only
Funds awarded in 2022: $199,552.00
Projected End Date: 09/30/2024
Grant Recipient:
University of Vermont
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Daniel Tobin
University of Vermont
Description:
This report draws on data collected from 1,789 survey respondents comprised of seed-to-food value chain stakeholders across the United States as well as focus group participants (n = 31) from the Northeast U.S. Survey respondents were emailed an online survey to answer questions related to the opportunities and bottlenecks for culturally meaningful seed and food supply, demand, and marketing. Data collection occurred between October 2023-January 2024. We also conducted a series of focus groups with six seed-to-food value chain stakeholder groups and used those data to complement survey findings for this report.
Key findings include the following:
• Cultural meaning as a seed/food trait was found to be important among respondents, though not as important as other qualities.
• Supply uncertainties exist for culturally meaningful seed/food.
• Culturally appropriate marketing was found to be difficult for seed companies but less so for downstream seed-to-food value chain stakeholders like grocers.
• Consumers lack familiarity with culturally meaningful seed/food.
• Culturally meaningful seed and food are viewed as more than market goods, as they also provide community, cultural, and culinary ties.
• Seed-to-food value chain stakeholders desire to strengthen their connections with others along the chain.
• To amplify culturally meaningful seed/food in the market, increased policy support and multistakeholder partnerships are necessary.
Key findings include the following:
• Cultural meaning as a seed/food trait was found to be important among respondents, though not as important as other qualities.
• Supply uncertainties exist for culturally meaningful seed/food.
• Culturally appropriate marketing was found to be difficult for seed companies but less so for downstream seed-to-food value chain stakeholders like grocers.
• Consumers lack familiarity with culturally meaningful seed/food.
• Culturally meaningful seed and food are viewed as more than market goods, as they also provide community, cultural, and culinary ties.
• Seed-to-food value chain stakeholders desire to strengthen their connections with others along the chain.
• To amplify culturally meaningful seed/food in the market, increased policy support and multistakeholder partnerships are necessary.
Type:
Article/Newsletter/Blog
File:
Download file (PDF)
Target audiences:
Farmers/Ranchers; Educators; Researchers
This product is associated with the project "Culturally Meaningful, Regionally Adapted Seed: Making the Ujamaa Cooperative Farmers Alliance Market Ready"
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.