The Value of a Traditional New England Drink

Greetings from the University of New Hampshire!

I am Sara Hartley, a senior dual-majoring in Marketing and EcoGastronomy.  My EcoGastronomy senior capstone research project is on hard cider!

Specifically, my research is titled "Closing the Gap Between Consumer’s and Seller’s Perceptions of Hard Cider: A Study of the New Hampshire Seacoast Region." 

The general underlying question is, “How do individuals on the Seacoast value hard cider, a traditional drink of New England, and how can distributors of the product enforce these values?” In a food world, where the intimacy of food with beverage pairings produces the essence of a meal, it is amazing to see how far we reach to source the beverages.  Apples grow best in the sandy clay soils of our own backyard of New England.

With my project I propose a campaign to revitalize the spirit of hard cider and preserve the foundation of hard cider producers in this region.

I am using a survey to collect consumer's perceptions of hard cider. The survey takes 8 minutes, and my goal is to collect 500 surveys. Participation in the survey will be greatly appreciated, and you have an opportunity to win raffle prizes from Farnum Hill Orchards.  Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/cider to participate in the survey.  Thanks!

 If you are still wondering...what is that crazy EcoGastronomy degree? here is a fun description of the subject:

EcoGastronomy is designed to integrate three broad fields of study and practice: sustainable agriculture, regional cuisine and hospitality management, and nutrition. The goal is to provide a unique and systemic educational experience that will prepare students to flourish in the complex and holistic nature of our food community - from farm to fork to nutrition and health outcomes.  Thus, the term "gastronomy," which is defined as "the art and appreciation of preparing and eating good food," is paired with the prefix "eco," indicating that the "art and appreciation" of food cannot be separated from our agriculture, our environment and the myriad social, economic, political and ethical issues associated with food production and eating.

This post is contributed by  Sara Hartley if you have any questions.