Smart distribution to maintain shelf life of horticultural produce

Publication date: 20/01/2020
Extent: 24 pages

Contributions by: J. K. Brecht, University of Florida, USA; I. Uysal and M. C. N. Nunes, University of South Florida, USA; J. P. Emond, The Illuminate Group, USA; S. Mercier, Décathlon Canada, Canada; and U. McCarthy, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland

Chapter synopsis: Most fresh horticultural crops in developed countries that are harvested but not consumed (40 to 50%) are wasted because the quality is inadequate for marketing or does not meet consumer quality requirements. Reducing quality deterioration can both extend shelf life and reduce waste of fresh horticultural crops in the food distribution system. Monitoring quality and environmental conditions during food distribution and using the collected data to predict the remaining shelf life of produce at any point in the cold chain enables use of smart distribution management. Monitoring environmental conditions in order to calculate shelf life can also help identify where the cold chain can be improved. Managing the inventory of fresh horticultural crops at distribution centers for store deliveries based on quality and remaining shelf life (first-expired-first-out; FEFO) instead of arrival sequence (first-in-first-out; FIFO) can result in a consistently better quality experience for consumers when they purchase fresh horticultural crops.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0055.17