http://ucanr.org/blogs/postharvest/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Postharvest News & Updates from the University of California en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:09:19 PST Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:09:19 PST UC ANR You know how it works: You stand in the grocery aisle, surreptitiously sniffing the cantaloupes, hoping your nose will lead you to a nice, ripe selection. But when you slice it open in your kitchen, it’s just not as ripe as you had hoped. Lucky for you (and me), Assistant Professor Florence Negre-Zakharov and her team might have found a way to make imperfectly ripe fruit a thing of the past. The method was published in the March 30 edition of the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). "We...
]]> Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:11:01 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7221&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7221 Early spring can be an invigorating time of year, with lengthening days, blooming daffodils and fruit trees (and ski season still in full force).  One of the best perks of the season is the availability of luscious strawberries, and tasty artichokes and asparagus picked from nearby farms, with both flavor quality and price that reflects both in-season and local transportation benefits.  Depending on your location, local Farmers Markets and pick-your-own farms will begin offering their wares...
]]> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:42:12 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6999&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6999 By Mary Lu ArpaiaMy association with Gordon goes back nearly 35 years to some of the very earliest days as a new graduate student here in Davis.  Sometimes the best things that happen to you are unplanned.  That is how I first met Gordon.  I had been accepted into graduate school in the Pomology Department but did not have the grades to be offered an assistantship; instead I was offered work study.  I went to the work study office and found a job posting in the Pomology Department to work in...
]]> Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:24:24 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6946&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6946 The UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center has the opportunity to develop a new condensed short course for 2012 that will look at "Emerging Postharvest Technologies for California Agriculture."Please help us establish the course curriculum by taking a few minutes to let us know about your company's biggest postharvest handling challenges, and the technologies about which you would like to know more.  You can use the linked survey to provide us with your feedback.If you give us your contact...
]]> Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:22:28 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6600&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6600 Four Postharvest Specialists from the UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center traveled to Sarajevo, October 24-28, to present a week-long Postharvest Technology training.  Drs. Beth Mitcham, Marita Cantwell, Mary Lu Arpaia and Michael Reid presented 39 instructional sessions over a three-and-a-half day period.  Zdenec Svec from the Czech Republic also presented a talk focusing on regional marketing and trade issues.  The training session was followed by a 1-1/2 day field tour visiting a number...
]]> Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:27:16 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6119&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6119 In late June we sent an email out to our 2009 and 2010 Postharvest Technology Short Course participants.  The Postharvest Technology Short Course is a week-long intensive study of a broad spectrum of postharvest topics, including lectures and labs, followed by an optional week-long tour of postharvest facilities around California. We were curious about the continuing impact made on those who had attended the course.  We especially wanted to know if the information they learned had made a...
]]> Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:19:16 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5963&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5963 There was a heightened sense of camaraderie and interaction amongst the participants who attended the September 2011 workshop.  The workshop, coordinated and facilitated by Dr. Marita Cantwell, was structured so that there were many opportunities for sharing challenging fresh-cut situations, and brainstorming solutions.  One dynamic session was the "Fresh-cut Products Shelf Life" demonstration, in which the storage time and temperature for more than 20 fresh-cut products was evaluated. ...
]]> Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:22:06 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5868&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5868 What got me started on this contribution is a book I recently read, called “Hungry Planet” by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio.  It photo-chronicles what an average family from different regions around the world eats in a week.  Fascinating reading, but not the topic of this blog, just the inspiration.I’m writing about food waste, specifically fresh fruits and vegetables.  First let’s look at the facts.  In a 2011 Food and Agriculture-commissioned report, it was found that “Roughly one third of...
]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:51:26 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5499&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pwdevine@ucdavis.edu(Pam Devine) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5499 We just finished our two-week Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops short course which includes five days of lectures, discussions and demonstrations, and a five-day field trip to major production areas of California.  A new group of 90 students received their certificate and joined the approximately 2,560 who previously graduated from this postharvest course.  We greatly enjoyed the discussion of the different topics among students and teachers.  As we have participants from all over...
]]> Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:36:25 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5409&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5409 The respect and professional camaradarie amongst the 92 participants from 25 countries was a remarkable aspect of the 33rd Annual Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops Short Course.  The course started off with a breath of fresh air and new energy as Dr. Beth Mitcham, the Director of the Postharvest Technology Center, introduced the Center's new logo and web site.As the intense first week of lectures and labs progressed, it was interspersed with opportunities for networking, the...
]]> Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:17:29 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5222&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5222 Every seat was filled for the 17th Annual Fruit Ripening & Ethylene Management workshop, held April 26-27 at UC Davis.  Course Organizer Dr. Carlos Crisosto was very enthusiastic about the positive response to the workshop and said, “Everyone was very excited about both the content and excellent interactive aspects of this workshop.  I think next year we will add on another day to cover retail components as well as adding more hands on demonstrations to the agenda”.Participants also offered...
]]> Sun, 12 Jun 2011 12:03:13 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5089&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5089 The Postharvest Technology Center welcomes Carlos Crisosto as a new member of our management team.  Carlos is well known by many of you for his strong program on postharvest biology and technology of stone fruit, kiwifruit and other fruit.He has been a member of the Postharvest Technology Center since he joined UC Davis in 1990. As Associate Director, Carlos will lead our efforts in developing a new course for retailers, assist with the development of a certificate program, and create new...
]]> Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:07:20 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5006&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5006 Dr. Christine Bruhn will be presented with the Carl R. Fellers Award on June 11 at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting in New Orleans.  This annual award is presented to an individual who is a member of Institute of Food Technologists and Phi Tau Sigma, and who has brought honor to the profession of food science and technology through a distinguished career displaying exemplary leadership, service, and communication skills that enhance the effectiveness of all food scientists...
]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 22:56:21 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4921&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4921 The first Delivering More Flavorful Produce Workshop really hit home with attendees.  The 2-day February workshop, led by Beth Mitcham of UC Davis and Jeff Brecht of the University of Florida was sponsored by a grant to UC Davis and the University of Florida from the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative and covered a variety of in-depth topics on how to increase flavor quality of produce.   With a mix of breeders, growers, shippers, marketers, retailers and researchers, the course...
]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:31:35 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4386&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pwdevine@ucdavis.edu(Pam Devine) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4386 From the "ANR Report" March 2011, Vol. 24, No. 9. Born and raised in New Zealand, Michael Reid never anticipated a career in California, but he retired from a 32-year career as a UC Davis environmental horticulture professor and specialist in June 2010. Reid’s research has spanned the spectrum from basic biology of flower senescence to practical means of improving postharvest quality and life of ornamentals. He earned a B.Sc. in botany, an M.Sc. in microbiology and a Ph.D. in cell biology at...
]]> Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:08:40 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5269&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5269 There is a wide schism between the sleek mechanical harvesting machines that briskly traverse California’s fertile croplands versus the field worker with a machete and head-basket, or possibly a donkey laden with woven baskets, that is still most commonly found in many nations. Produce loss continues to be a significant problem.  Worldwide, it is estimated that as much as one-third of the produce grown is never consumed by humans  (Kader, 2005).  Many logistical challenges contribute to this...
]]> Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:35:53 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4123&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4123 With a daughter soon to complete a degree in Health Safety, discussions of Salmonella, E. coli and the like sometimes arise as we sit around the dinner table.  As an agriculturally-focused family, we like to think we’re pretty savvy about the best way to handle our produce to keep it safe and tasty. Some are very concerned about food safety.  A gentleman phoned the Postharvest Technology Center a few months ago, and shared that he was very concerned about eating strawberries.  He thought...
]]> Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:52:03 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3739&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3739 Taking a look at melons, berries, tomatoes, pears, stone fruit, and more, researchers from UC Davis, along with collaborators from the University of Florida, are focusing on “Increasing consumption of specialty crops by enhancing quality and safety.”  Funded by the USDA, work on this Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) grant began about a year ago. Americans, after years of hearing that fresh produce is valuable for numerous health benefits, have still not significantly increased their...
]]> Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:13:25 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3282&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3282 From an early age, Jim Thompson, UC Davis Cooperative Extension specialist, knew what he wanted to do for his career. During his elementary school years, he frequently got up very early to watch the television program “White Collar Farmer,” fascinated even in those days with agricultural research.  “I first wanted to be an engineer who built bridges, but later in college I learned about agricultural engineering where I could combine both my interests,” Thompson said.Thompson, who retired on...
]]> Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:41:37 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4411&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pwdevine@ucdavis.edu(Pam Devine) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4411 As you returned home from the market and unloaded your sack of produce, have you ever simply admired the satisfying bounty?  Enjoyed the color, texture, and aroma as cantaloupe, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, cherries, apricots, avocado, strawberries, and more passed through your hands?  But now, what to do with each item … how best to keep it fresh and tasty until you’re ready to eat it?   The Postharvest Technology Center offers free copies of an 8.5” x 11” full color poster that...
]]> Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:24:43 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=2914&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed postharvest@ucdavis.edu(Mary E. Reed) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=2914