Abstract:
This study was conducted in December 2015 in Baguio City Public Market to identify the current consumers of indigenous vegetables; the factors that are considered in the acceptability of indigenous vegetables to consumers and the level of acceptability of indigenous vegetables to consumers in terms of appearance, taste, texture, color, size, aroma, and price.
The two hundred (200) respondents were consumers of indigenous vegetables in Baguio City Public Market. They were chosen purposively. Questionnaire was used to gather needed information and photo documentation.
Based on the results of the evaluation regarding the market acceptability of selected indigenous vegetables: more than half of the respondents were females as revealed by the frequency between female and male respondents. Many of the female respondents were high school graduate while few only for male respondents. Respondents who consume indigenous vegetables preferred more masaplora and amti than that of kalunay and pako.
The factors considered in the acceptability of indigenous vegetables were the following (from top to bottom): desirable, good for the health, high in nutritional value, safe food, lifestyle change due to health reason, quality food, delicious, affordable price, desirable taste, not expensive, accessible in the market, preferred by family and friends, satisfying, and lastly not prohibited to culture to culture or tradition.
The level of acceptability in terms of appearance of indigenous vegetables as perceived by the consumers, kalunay was highly accepted while amti, pako, and masaplora were all acceptable. As to taste, texture, aroma, and price, they were all acceptable. As to color, pako was highly acceptable while the rest were acceptable. As to size, kalunay was moderately acceptable while the others were acceptable.
