Investigating Consumer Preference for Organic, Local, or Sustainable Plants

C. Yue¹, J. H. Dennis², B.K. Behe³, C. R. Hall⁴, B. L. Campbell⁵ and R. G. Lopez⁶

Abstract
Organically and locally grown food products have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, unlike food products, consumers purchase most outdoor plants for their aesthetic value rather than their nutritional value. Many of the health concerns related to food products might not be applicable to ornamental plants, so the demand for organic non-food plants is unknown.

Using a survey with 834 participants from four states, we investigated consumer preference for ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and herbs grown: 1) organically, locally, and sustainably; 2) in energy-efficient greenhouses; and 3) in biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable containers.

Our study found that consumers are not enthusiastic about plants or their fertilizers being "organic." However, consumers are very interested in plants being produced locally, similar to the public's ever-increasing interest in local food products. Consumers are also interested in purchasing plants in containers that are more sustainable. Among the different types of containers, biodegradable and compostable pots are more desirable than recycled pots.


Source
HortScience (2011) 46: 610-615


Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Department of Applied Economics and Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, 1970 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
(2) Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, 625 Agriculture Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907
(3) Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, 238 Plant and Soil Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
(4) Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 202 Hort/Forest Science Building, 2133 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2133
(5) Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, 4890 Victoria Avenue North, P.O. Box 4000, Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada L0R 2E0
(6) Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, 625 Agriculture Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907
*Corresponding author, E-mail yuechy@umn.edu


Posted April 2011