2014 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
To present a general and logistical overview of the intricacies and postharvest problems often encountered with international cargo shipments (ship and air and freight) of fresh produce. Speakers will discuss strategies and fundamental concepts required to facilitate meaningful research and technologies needed to ensure safe and expedient delivery of fresh produce to and from international ports to the marketplace. Key regulatory issues and logistical/legal aspects will also be addressed. The workshop will include both university and corporate level in-depth analysis and real-world research with company cases used to illustrate the nuts and bolts required for successful, timely produce delivery, and satisfied consumers.

Today, consumers demand fresh, local, regional, national, tropical, and exotic produce to be on the grocer’s shelf, 365 days a year.  Local and national sourcing of “in-season” produce is often simple and uncomplicated in comparison to importation of peak production of high quality produce, aligned with low domestic production.  There are several important aspects regarding the successful acquisition of imported perishables arriving safely and in optimum quality to the grocer’s display case.  In this workshop entitled “Nuts and Bolts of Postharvest Shipping Around the World”, we will present a logistical overview of the intricacies and postharvest problems often encountered with international cargo shipments of fresh produce.  Focus will be on ship and air freight of containers routinely moved in/out and through international ports.  Four invited speakers will discuss strategies and fundamental concepts required to facilitate meaningful research and technologies needed to insure safe and expedient delivery of fresh produce to and from international ports to the marketplace.  In addition to important postharvest and engineering aspects for proper cooling and shipping, key regulatory issues and logistical/legal aspects will also be addressed.  The workshop will include both university and corporate level in-depth analysis and real-world research with international corporate cases used to illustrate the nuts and bolts required for successful, timely produce delivery, and satisfied consumers.