Tomato Tasting this Week

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO — The University of Maine’s Consumer Testing Center is recruiting volunteers over the age of 18 who consume fresh tomatoes. The information will assist tomato growers evaluate consumer acceptability of fresh tomato varieties. Volunteers will be asked demographic and purchasing questions. They will be asked to evaluate fresh tomatoes for appearance and taste. All information will be confidential.

Testing will be held in 158 Hitchner Hall on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday May 22, 2008 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers may attend one or both sessions as different tomato varieties will be evaluated each day. Evaluations may take up to 30 minutes. Participants will receive a 120 minute phone card or five Consumer Testing Center credits per session. Each Consumer Testing Center credit is worth $1. Credits may accrue until the balance exceeds $25, at which time they may be redeemed for a gift certificate to the UMaine bookstore or other local vendor.

Those who have an allergy to tomatoes, or do not eat tomatoes for any other reason, should not participate.