ATHENS, Ga. — There is good news and bad news for canola marketers in Georgia, America’s ninth most populous state.
The good news is that canola oil was easy to find at a Kroger grocery store on the outskirts of Athens. Five brands of canola oil were on sale, including generic products and an organic canola oil spray.
As well, canola oil had comparable shelf space to soybean oil and other vegetable oils.
However, the bad new is that Kroger shoppers had no idea what canola is.
Read Also
VIDEO: Potato video highlights importance of water conservation
Potato Growers of Alberta release the third of a five-part video series, highlighting the potato industry’s efficient use of water to tend to their acres producing the high-value crop during drought conditions.
“I’ve never heard of the crop, just the oil,” said Benny, a man in his late 60s or early 70s who buys canola oil to cook fried chicken.
Asked what canola oil is made from, Benny hesitated a few seconds before answering.
“I’ve never thought about it really…. I just thought it was healthier.”
Benny’s response was typical of Kroger customers and residents of Athens, a university town 20 kilo-metres from where Georgia farmers grow canola.
In an unscientific and unprofessional survey of 14 shoppers:
- Two Georgians knew that canola was a crop.
- One thought canola oil was made from corn.
- Ten said they bought canola oil, mostly because it’s “healthier.”
- Four said they don’t buy canola oil. They buy olive oil or coconut oil because those oils are “healthier.”
The participants in the survey included:
- A 45 to 50 year old man shopping for his mother, who bought a bottle of canola oil because it was on her list. He used to work for Georgia’s department of agriculture but had never heard of a crop called canola.
- Michelle, about 50, buys canola oil but isn’t familiar with the crop. “I feel it’s healthier for you and use it instead of, say … Crisco.”
- Elizabeth, 45 to 50, is married to a man who used to farm. She knows what canola is and knows it is grown in Georgia. “It’s supposed to be healthier and it’s cheaper than olive oil.”
- Chamerelle, a 45-year-old woman with two children, doesn’t buy canola oil because she doesn’t like the flavour. I don’t cook a lot of things in oil, but when I do I use coconut oil or olive oil for the health benefits.”
- Victoria, 25 to 30, has heard of canola oil and canola. “I know there’s some yellow flower involved.” However, she doesn’t cook with it. Instead, she buys coconut oil and olive oil. “I read somewhere that (coconut and olive oil) is healthier, but I don’t know if it’s true.”
