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TRAINING IN POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY Extension Systems International P.O. Box 3130, Quartzsite, Arizona 85359 USA Phone: (916) 708 7218 E-mail Us Packing and Packaging Practices Here are some ideas for improving the packages used for handling produce. This container is too large to protect produce. The tomatoes at the bottom are squashed, and the handler is overloaded with a much too heavy container. Ghana-- 2002 Packing Practices and Packaging Materials Throughout the entire handling system, packaging can be both an aid and a hindrance to obtaining maximum storage life and quality. Packages need to be vented yet be sturdy enough to prevent collapse. If produce is packed for ease of handling, waxed cartons, wooden crates or rigid plastic containers are preferable to bags or open baskets, since bags and baskets provide no protection to the produce when stacked. Sometimes locally constructed containers can be strengthened or lined to provide added protection to produce. Waxed cartons, wooden crates and plastic containers, while more expensive, are cost effective when used for the domestic market. These containers are reusable and can stand up well to the high relative humidity found in the storage environment. Adding a simple cardboard liner to a crate will make it less likely to cause abrasion to produce. Containers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for best results. Loose products may vibrate against others and cause bruising, while over-packing results in compression bruising. Shredded newspaper is inexpensive and a lightweight filler for shipping containers (if the ink used for newspaper print is non-toxic). For small-scale handlers interested in constructing their own cartons from corrugated fiberboard, Broustead and New (1986) provide detailed information. Many types of agricultural fibers are suitable for paper making and handlers may find it economically sensible to include these operations in their postharvest system. Corrugated fiberboard is manufactured in four flute types—type B (1/8 inch in height, 47 to 53 flutes per inch; with a basis weight of 26 lb per 1,000 ft2) is the most commonly used for handling perishables. Whenever packages are handled in a high humidity environment, much of their strength is lost. Collapsed packages provide little or no protection, requiring the commodity inside to support all of the weight of the overhead load. Packing is meant to protect the commodity by immobilizing and cushioning it, but temperature management can be made more difficult if packing materials block ventilation holes. Packing materials can act as vapor barriers and can help maintain higher relative humidity within the package. In addition to protection, packaging allows quick handling throughout distribution and marketing and can minimize impacts of rough handling. Produce can be hand-packed to create an attractive pack, often using a fixed count of uniformly sized units. Packaging materials such as trays, cups, wraps, liners and pads may be added to help immobilize the produce. Simple mechanical packing systems often use the volume-fill method or tight-fill method, in which sorted produce is delivered into boxes, then vibration settled. Most volume-fillers are designed to use weight as an estimate of volume, and final adjustments are done by hand. Ethylene absorber sachets placed into containers with ethylene sensitive produce can reduce the rate of ripening of fruits, de-greening of vegetables or floral wilting. Sachets can be purchased from internet based companies. Reference: Broustead, P.J. and New, J.H 1986. Packaging of fruit and vegetables: a study of models for the manufacture of corrugated fibreboard boxes in developing countries. London: TDRI. (for information contact NRI, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom). Some illustrations of improved practices: What is the cost for training? There is no charge for mentoring services. Just send an e-mail or mail a letter to Dr. Lisa, and she will do her best to answer your question or point you in the right direction. Many training materials are available via e-mail at no charge. A CDRom packed full of practical training materials is available at a small fee (to cover the cost of copying, postage and packaging materials). Training CDRom Copyright 2002 Cooperative Ventures, USA