This study sought to determine the stage (awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, or adoption) reached by homemakers in adopting the water blanching of vegetables for freezing; to identify information sources (mass media, agencies, experts, informal personal contacts, and organizations); and to assess the relationship of certain personal, social, and situational characteristics to current stages of adoption. The three-part questionnaire was administered to 150 respondents in Columbus County, North Carolina, who had bought freezers within the past five years. Major findings included the following: (1) adoption rates were high (79% to 90%) for all four steps of the blanching process; (2) mass media were important in four of the five adoption stages; (3) respondents' own experience was the major information source in the actual adoption of the innovation; (4) length of freezer ownership and age (over 40 more than under 40) were significantly related to adoption of one or another of the blanching steps. (ly)