Postharvest
The UF/IFAS Postharvest mission is to support Florida's diverse horticulture industries through postharvest research, Extension, and teaching. Our goal is to generate and disseminate information so that Florida-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and floral crops are delivered to consumers fresh, safe, nutritious, and in the form (e.g., ripe, fresh-cut, and/or ready-to-eat) that consumers desire. We partner with stakeholders throughout Florida to identify and solve problems that impact everyone, from large industrial operations to small farms, consumer-supported agricultural operations, and consumers themselves. We work closely with county Extension agents who, in turn, serve the clientele groups in their respective areas. Resources on the postharvest site are provided by UF’s multidisciplinary team, which spans horticulture, plant pathology, microbiology, engineering, agribusiness, and other related fields.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are still living (respiring), imparting the unique quality (flavor, texture, aroma, etc.) and nutritional traits that consumers desire. This attribute is evident in how some fruits ripen in stores or on home countertops. Reducing postharvest losses not only reduces food loss but also the resources (e.g., energy, labor, and materials) expended to grow, harvest, transport, wash, pack, ship, and display the product. Thus, it is critical to reduce postharvest losses, which can range up to 40%. Besides outright product loss, reduced quality results in lower economic returns (e.g., buyer claims, diminished consumer purchases, etc.), lost nutritive value (e.g., vitamin C), discoloration, water (weight) loss, softening, poor aroma, etc. Furthermore, improper handling often results in product injury, leading to decay and disorders. The UF/IFAS postharvest team strives to equip Florida stakeholders to remain competitive in the face of increased offshore imports and to realize current and future opportunities to deliver top-quality products to our markets.
