"FRESH TRENDS" SURVEY SHOWS CONSUMER SUPPORT FOR LABELING

The Fresh Trends 2002 survey published by The Packer newspaper indicates 86% of consumer respondents favor country of origin labeling. In addition, the survey found that 91% of those questioned think labels should list chemicals used in production, 86% favor labels indicating whether an item is organically grown, 85% want labels listing any waxes and/or coatings used, 78% want to see use of biotechnology noted on labels, 78% would like labels indicating use of irradiation, and 77% favor nutritional information to be listed.

Fresh Trends 2002 is a profile of the fresh produce consumer and is the only comprehensive consumer study in the industry. The survey covers attitudes and perceptions toward fresh produce and asks consumers about their produce consumption habits.

PERCENTAGE OF CONSUMERS SURVEYED WHO FEEL FRESH PRODUCE ITEMS, PACKAGES OR DISPLAYS SHOULD BE LABELED FOR:

91% Chemicals used in production
86% Country of origin
86% Whether an item is organically grown
85% Use of waxes and/or coatings
78% Use of biotechnology
78% Whether an item is irradiated
77% Nutritional value

TOP COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED BY THOSE WHO SAY THEY HAVE SEEN ITEMS IN A STORE THAT WERE GROWN OUTSIDE THE U.S.:

48% South America
33% Mexico
12% South America
5% New Zealand
4% Australia
4% Asia
4% Europe
3% Caribbean

PREFERENCE FOR VOLUNTARY VS. MANDATORY LABELING:

Country of origin labeling:
78% Mandatory
21% Voluntary
1% Don't know

Chemicals used in production:
90% Mandatory
10% Voluntary

Nutritional Value:
66% Mandatory
34% Voluntary

PERCENT WHO FEEL FRESH PRODUCE ITEMS, PACKAGES OR DISPLAYS SHOULD BE LABELED TO IDENTIFY CHEMICALS USED IN PRODUCTION:

Gender:
Men 85%
Women 92%

Age:
18-34 ......93%
35-44 ......90%
45-54 ......93%
55-64 ......91%
65+ ........87%

Income:
Less than $17,500.. 93%
$17,500-$32,499..... 91%
$32,500-$49,999..... 90%
$50,000-$74,999..... 91%
$75,000+ ................87%

PERCENTAGE OF CONSUMERS WHO SAY THEY HAVE SEEN PRODUCE ITEMS IN U.S. STORES THAT WERE GROWN OUTSIDE THE U.S.:

60% Yes
34% No
6% Don't know

OF THAT NUMBER ABOVE WHO SAY THE HAVE SEEN PRODUCE ITEMS THAT WERE GROWN IN COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS:

Income:
Less than $17,500 48%
$17,500-$32,499 51%
$32,500-$49,999 66%
$50,000-$74,999 67%
$75,000+ 70%

OF THAT SAME GROUP WHO SAID THEY HAD SEEN IMPORTED PRODUCE IN THE STORES IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS:

TOP MENTIONS OF GROWING AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH CITRUS:
United States 96%
Florida 86%
California 53%
Texas 8%
Georgia 4%
Arizona 3%

TOP MENTIONS OF GROWING AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH TOMATOES:

United States 69%
California 25%
Florida 15%
Texas 6%
New Jersey 6%
Mexico 4%
Georgia 3%
Pennsylvania 3%
Ohio 3%
New York 3%
North Carolina 3%
Michigan 3%

TOP MENTIONS OF GROWING AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH STRAWBERRIES:

United States 76%
California 44%
Florida 17%
Michigan 5%
Texas 4%
Mexico 3%
New York 3%
Pennsylvania 3%