According to the USDA's most recent estimates from 2019, approximately 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the United States goes to waste. While the USDA does not provide specific data on the percentage of fruits and vegetables wasted during supply, it is known that fruits and vegetables have a higher rate of waste compared to other food products due to their perishable nature.

Factors that contribute to food waste in the United States include overproduction, improper storage, transportation issues, and consumer behavior. In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce food waste, including initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency, increase food donations, and raise awareness among consumers.

It's worth noting that data on food waste can vary depending on the source and the methods used to collect and analyze the data. Additionally, food waste can be challenging to measure and track due to differences in definitions and reporting methods.

Reefers, or refrigerated shipping containers, play an essential role in transporting fresh fruits and vegetables from fields to consumers. These containers help to maintain a consistent temperature, regulate humidity levels, and circulate air, ensuring that produce remains fresh and of high quality throughout the transportation process. However, transporting fresh produce comes with its own set of challenges. In this blog, we will explore these challenges and the solutions that have been developed to overcome them.

Challenges of Transporting Fresh Produce

One of the biggest challenges of transporting fresh produce is maintaining the proper temperature throughout the entire shipping process. While reefers are designed to maintain a consistent temperature, they are often subject to temperature fluctuations during loading and unloading. This can be particularly problematic when produce is being loaded or unloaded in extreme weather conditions.

Another challenge is ensuring that the produce is properly packaged and loaded into the reefers. If the produce is not properly packaged, it can be damaged during transportation, leading to spoilage and waste. Additionally, if the produce is not loaded properly, it can shift during transit, which can also lead to damage.

Finally, there is the challenge of ensuring that the produce is delivered to its final destination on time. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a limited shelf life, and any delay in transportation can lead to spoilage and waste. This can be particularly challenging for international shipments, which may be subject to customs delays or other logistical issues.

Solutions to Transporting Fresh Produce

To overcome the challenges of transporting fresh produce, several solutions have been developed. One solution is to use temperature monitoring devices that track the temperature of the produce and alert the driver or shipping company if the temperature falls outside of a predetermined range. This allows for quick action to be taken if necessary to prevent spoilage.

Another solution is to use specialized packaging that is designed to protect the produce during transportation. For example, some companies have developed packaging that is designed to absorb moisture and prevent the produce from becoming too moist or too dry. Additionally, packaging can be designed to protect the produce from damage during loading and unloading.

Finally, technology has been developed to help ensure that fresh produce is delivered on time. For example, some companies use GPS tracking to monitor shipments in real-time and provide updates to customers on the status of their shipment. This allows for quick action to be taken if there are any delays or issues with the shipment.

Benefits of Using Reefers to Transport Fresh Produce

Despite the challenges of transporting fresh produce, using reefers to transport fresh fruits and vegetables offers several benefits. One of the most significant benefits is that reefers help to reduce food waste by ensuring that produce remains fresh and of high quality throughout the transportation process. This is important not only from an economic perspective but also from an environmental perspective, as reducing food waste can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reefers also allow for the transportation of fresh produce over long distances, which enables consumers to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from around the world. This has helped to promote greater diversity in diets and has increased access to fresh produce for people living in areas where certain fruits and vegetables may not be able to be grown locally.

Finally, reefers have helped to improve the safety and quality of fresh produce by reducing the risk of contamination during transportation. By maintaining a consistent temperature and regulating humidity levels, reefers help to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Conclusion

Reefers play an essential role in transporting fresh fruits and vegetables from fields to consumers. While transporting fresh produce comes with its own set of challenges, solutions have been developed to overcome these challenges. By using temperature monitoring devices, specialized packaging, and technology to ensure on-time delivery, reefers help to all mentioned above.

Here are some references to support the information provided in the blog post:

USDA. (2021). Food Loss and Waste. https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste

Hall, K.D., Guo, J., Dore, M., & Chowdhury, N.D. (2020). The Progressive Increase of Food Waste in America and Its Environmental Impact. PLoS ONE, 15(6), e0232674. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232674

ReFED. (2020). A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 50%. https://www.refed.com/downloads/ReFED_Report_2020.pdf

Gunders, D. (2017). Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill. NRDC. https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/wasted-food-IP.pdf

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2019). Reducing food loss and waste. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/food-loss-and-food-waste/en/

Kader, A. A. (2002). Postharvest technology of horticultural crops. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Retrieved from https://ucanr.edu/sites/Postharvest_Technology_Center_/files/210236.pdf

Reefer Container Information. (n.d.). Reefers - What are they and what do they do? Retrieved from https://www.reefercontainerinformation.com/reefers-what-are-they-and-what-do-they-do/

United States Department of Agriculture. (2018). Transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables. Retrieved from https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Transportation%20of%20Fresh%20Fruits%20and%20Vegetables.pdf

World Shipping Council. (n.d.). Refrigerated Containers. Retrieved from https://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/special-cargo/refrigerated-containers