Packaging For Fresh Market Crops. Large Bags. Rating System. Choices in Master Containers

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1 Packaging For Fresh Market Crops What is the right package? James Thompson, UC Davis Chris Bishop, Writtle College UK Clement Vigneault, Ag & Agri-Food Canada Simon Hanney, Writtle College, UK Choices in Master Containers Corrugated fiberboard Returnable plastic containers () Expanded polystyrene () Corrugated plastic 1 2 Large Bags Corrugated 3 end panel 4 Rating System Box type Initial cooling Best Worst Rating scale Corrugated Plastic 5 6 1

2 Initial Cooling Plastic containers are well suited to hydro and ice cooling methods. Large vent areas (s) may cause poor airflow distribution in FA coolers. FA coolers have poor air distribution when there is a mix of boxes with large and small vent areas. Initial cooling 7 Long Term Storage Requirements Minimize moisture loss from product - should no absorb moisture. Maintain strength. Allow fumigation - should have good ventilation and not absorb fumigant. Storage 8 Moisture Absorption Corrugated and wood absorb water, can equal 1% of product weight. Plastic box liners or pallet covers reduce moisture loss, but interfere with fumigation and temperature management. Mechanical Damage Protection Moisture Absorption 9 Damage protection 10 Strength of Corrugated At 90% RH strength is 60% less than strength at 50% RH. Fatigue after 10 days of loading reduces strength by 35%. 10 days after packing strength may be 75% less than original. Fumigation and corrugated absorb some fumigants (SO 2 ). Fumigation

3 Weight Labeling Kg per 100 liters volume Corrugated Paper labels RFID Weight Labeling Rewarming Netted oranges in corrugated or boxes Temperature Increase per Hour Hours from the start Cardboard Reusable Package Storage Before Use Many corrugated designs are stored completely flattened. is stored fully formed. s are not stored but delivered folded down. is delivered formed or can be nailed on site. Rewarming Storage Recycle Corrugated is widely recycled. and polystyrene can be recycled but there may not be a cost effective system available. is not usually recycled. Damaged s are recycled by owner. s are designed and managed for washing and reuse. Other containers can not legally be reused in many countries. Recycle

4 s are designed and managed for washing and reuse. Other containers can not legally be reused in many countries. 19 Environmental Footprint s d Less material for manufacture Corrugated Recycled Lower weight Lower transportation energy use?? 20 Cost California for 2006 season Interior Packaging $1.05 Corrugated fiberboard $1.25 Corrugated plastic $1.50 $1.55 $1.62 Pulp Tray Plastic tray Cost Consumer Packs Consumer Bags

5 Box Liners Interior Packaging Slows initial cooling. Increases packaging costs. Reduces net product weight in master container. Reduces mechanical damage (usually!). May reduce handling at retail. Can be used for MA. Slows moisture loss Modified Atmosphere Packaging MAP is usually more expensive than conventional packaging but can reduce weight loss and extend shelf life. Vibration Damage Vibration Damage Prevention Better packaging. Optimum use of vehicle Hammock Pack Clamshell package Suspended tray 29 Separates fruit. Immobilizes fruit. Clamshell protects fruit on display. 5

6 Air Ride Suspension Compression Damage Prevention Do not over fill box. Use boxes strong enough to support weight above them. 32 Impact Damage Prevention Reduce hand palletizing and handling. Cost effective packaging is rarely effective in preventing impact damage. Summary Best master container depends on a specific use. Corrugated is the most common master container material. and foam are rarely used. Interior packaging is increasingly used to slow quality loss and for retail display