Pathogens-Free Strawberry

Albion has the most attractive color, size, and freshness. Chandler is the number one in sweetness and juiciness. Both Albion and Chandler have the highest scores on overall quality. Allstar is the least popular among these five varieties.
People would like to pay $2.48 for one pound of Chandler, which is the highest in this study. The price people thought is reasonable for Albion is $2.39, for Festival is $2.22, for Allstar is $2.12, and for Camarosa is $2.08.

Three quarters of people purchased strawberries at supermarket. 15% of participants did strawberries shopping at Farmer’s Market. 8% of the participants bought strawberries in specialty stores. 2% of the participants went U-pick farms for strawberry shopping.

Taste, appearance, and price were the three most concerned factors when people buy strawberries. Half of the participants indicated taste was the number one factor they concerned when purchasing strawberries. Slightly less than one third of the participants thought appearance was the most important factor. 12% people chose price as the primary factor. Avoiding chemicals and supporting local farmers were the fourth and fifth reasons.

Thanks everyone for coming to our taste test yesterday! We received 65 copies of survey in total. In the test, there were five varieties of strawberries: Albion, Allstar, Camarosa, Festival, and Chandler. The analyzed results will be posted later on.

We know you are working hard in this hot summer. Why not treat yourself with Free & Fresh strawberries? Please come to join our taste test at 11:30 am tomorrow. There will be a tent behind the Lawson Hall. See the flyer for details.

Picking strawberries in Ferrell Farms

Tennessee State University strawberry group hosted a booth at Portland Strawberry Festival on May 10th, 2014. It was an excellent opportunity to popularize the dipstick assay and promote local strawberries. Please check out the video
http://youtu.be/5VZ0ZXeKSdU

Portland Strawberry Festival Tennessee State University strawberry group hosted a booth at Portland Strawberry Festival on May 10th, 2014. It was an excellent opportunity to popularize t...

Tennessee State University strawberry group hosted a booth at Portland Strawberry Festival on May 10th, 2014. It was an excellent opportunity to popularize the dipstick assay and promote local strawberries.

Dipstick assay is a simple and rapid method to detect human pathogens, such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E.coli, on strawberries.

Strawberry season is coming. While we are enjoying these yummy fruits, we should always pay attention to food safety issue, such as food-borne pathogens. Dr. Chen is demonstrating the "dipstick" assay, which is simple and rapid, to detect human pathogens on strawberries. Please watch the video:
http://youtu.be/B6JMfRaojjU

Demonstration of Utilizing Dipstick Assay to Detect Human Pathogens on Strawberries by Dr. Chen. Dr. Fur-Chi Chen is an expert in food safety in Tennessee State University. His research program includes biosensors for detection of foodborne pathogens. Di...

McCraw’s Strawberry Ranch, in Clarksville, TN owned by Billy and Teresa McCraw has approximately seven acres in strawberries using a plasticulture system. The McCraw’s offer a pick your own environment, and coordinate with the Montgomery County school system to supply the schools with fresh fruits and vegetables when in season.

Poster Presentation about Survival Analysis and Detection of Pathogenic Microbial Population on Fresh Strawberry----36th Annual Research Symposium, Apr 3rd, Tennessee State University.