A Maine Wild Blueberry Value-Added Product for Profitability andSustainability of Small and Mid-Sized Growers

Project SummaryA Maine Wild Blueberry Value-Added Product for Profitability andSustainability of Small and Mid-Sized GrowersProject Director Lucille Van Hook M.S.Wicked Wild LLCDescription of the Problem or Opportunity: The viability of Maine's small and mid-size wildblueberry farms depends on developing and selling value-added products. Wicked Wild LLCshall prove the feasibility of a wild blueberry value-added product to be sold into the expandingfunctional food market. The overall goal is to convert Maine wild blueberries (Vacciniumangustifolium) into at least one unique value-added product that preserves the berries'nutritional value meets consumer expectations and is commercially profitable. Project successwill support the applicant as well as other Maine small and mid-size wild blueberry farms.Objectives: (1) Develop four formulations of this wild blueberry-based food product at acommercial test kitchen. Samples will be prepared for shelf-life and microbial tests. Highpressure processing will be conducted on one sample. A nutrition analysis of all fourformulations will be undertaken. (2) Assess consumer expectations for taste to be conducted onall four formulations at Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center (3) Conduct cost- benefit analyses for the impact of the product on the applicant and other small to mid-sizeproducers in Maine.Anticipated benefits: (1) A pathway to profitability for Maine's small to mid-size wildblueberry producers will be verified; (2) Consumer preference for the proposed product will bequantified; (3) Results will be shared with other small to mid-size wild blueberry farmers inMaine to help guide profitability and sustainability of their enterprises.Potential commercial application: Success would lead to the manufacturing and sales of a wildblueberry value-added product.