Sustainable postharvest solutions for small-scale, urban produce growers

Commodities

Practices

This proposal investigates methods to improve the environmental sustainability of scale-appropriate postharvest practices for urban produce farms, which are often resource-limited.  A 2021 survey of organic produce growers conducted by this team revealed that the main barriers to improving postharvest practices for growers are a lack of knowledge and financial constraints. Urban and periurban growers who sell in local markets are often sustainability-minded, but plastics represent a large environmental burden to fruit and vegetable production and marketing. First, we will research the functionality, environmental burdens, and economic feasibility of various plastic alternative packaging materials for the local sale of fresh produce. Kansas City-area urban and periurban growers have been engaged in developing this proposal. They will work with us to pilot alternative packages in their operation and help us collect consumer feedback. Second, we will investigate the economic feasibility and energy savings of using solar to power CoolBot™ cold storage units, a common technology on small, urban farms. Two graduate research assistants will be hired and trained to help carry out the research and outreach objectives under the supervision of the PI team. Lastly, we will have an outreach program to educate farmers on the importance of proper postharvest handling for fruits and vegetables, even when they have short storage times on the farm and sell directly to consumers. We will communicate our research findings and provide education through extension publications, webinars, workshops, and conference talks. The outcome of this project is to generate new evidence that allows urban growers to improve their postharvest handling operations and sustainability outcomes.

Objectives:

1. Evaluate and compare plastic-alternative packaging for produce on five key performance indicators: environmental footprint, maintenance of product quality, self-life extension, economic feasibility, and practicality for growers.
2. Analyze functionality, profitability, and energy savings of solar-powered CoolBot™ mobile cooler
3. Engage growers and ag educators through our existing extension channels to disseminate postharvest education and research results.

Outcomes: Growers will have the knowledge to make data-driven, postharvest packaging and storage decisions in the short term. Long-term practice modifications will reduce the environmental footprint of postharvest operations in local/regional supply chains, while simultaneously improving produce quality and shelf-life, benefiting consumers and growers.