Food Packing and Storage

Food Packing and Storage Overview

The seasonality of agriculture makes packing and storage essential to the availability of food all year round. Without storage, consumers would be forced to enjoy certain foods and flavours only during the peak of farming seasons because agricultural commodities are mostly perishables best consumed fresh. Under hot weather conditions, fruits and vegetables can barely be stored outside a refrigerator for 24 hours post-harvest. Tubers may last a few months, but they tend to lose their moisture content and wilt out after a while.
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When food is not properly stored, it leads to economic and environmental losses. The Wageningen University and Research estimates that an average of 35% of global food production is lost post-harvest annually. This is a huge waste of resources and loss of income to farmers, and a source of environmental pollution as well. In the midst of increasing hunger and malnutrition, this emphasizes the relevance of proper storage methods especially for excess farm harvests. It ensures that food is safe and available during off-farm seasons. Proper food storage and packing also plays a role in food safety. Using the right methods ensure that food is not contaminated at any point in the food supply chain. Tengrain Science works with trained experts available for consultations on efficient food packing and storage.