Improving Consumer Understanding of Product Grade Names

This article examines a progressive three step method (focus groups, survey instrument development, and consumer survey) Extension professionals can use to assist commodity groups develop consumer understandable grade names for their products. The example used in this article is maple syrup. The three step method was used to develop a new set of grade names which describe the color and flavor of maple syrup. To date, the industry has not formally adopted the new grade name system, but individual producers and retailers are adding the names to their package label to better communicate with consumers and market their product.