2019 ASHS Annual Conference

The objective of this workshop is to develop a better understanding of the challenges faced by the fresh produce industry to reduce losses from harvest through consumer levels by audience participation in an interactive game.

Experts will present brief overviews on the challenges faced by the industry at five critical levels in the produce value chain: farmer, packer/shipper, distribution center, alternative markets, and consumer levels. The audience will then self-divide into one of the Commodity Teams, then choose a Distribution Point for participation during the 30-minute game.

Sales and/or purchase goals will be assigned to participants at each Distribution Point, along with resources to market and/or purchase their commodity. The game will begin with buying and selling at each level. But, the teams must watch out for the random Challenge Card that could bring chaos to their plans! The Commodity Team that most effectively utilizes their resources from farm through consumer levels while minimizing losses will be declared the winner. The workshop will end with the teams sharing lessons learned with the entire group.