scholarly journals Technology, Policy, and Market Adaptation Mechanisms for Sustainable Fresh Produce Industry: The Case of Tomato Production in Florida, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5933
Author(s):  
Saoli Chanda ◽  
Mahadev Bhat ◽  
Kateel G. Shetty ◽  
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Adaptation Mechanisms

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Florida, a state located in the south-eastern region of the United States. The state is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the country and contributes to almost 90% of the domestic winter tomato supplies. However, tomato farmers in Florida have come under increasing pressure due to climate changes, foreign imports, and rising production costs. The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether Florida tomato growers will continue to sustain their production given the seasonal and geographic production advantage, yet against various internal and external threats emerging throughout the fresh produce supply chain. We developed our study on a multi-disciplinary conceptual model of network (supply chain) relationship and primary and secondary data gathered from various stakeholders and the literature. We found that Florida farmers have done remarkably well by adapting to warming temperatures and changing consumer expectations about environmental sustainability and responsible labor practices. However, foreign competition, labor shortage, the rising costs of inputs, extreme weather events (hurricanes), and pests and diseases due to humid climate continue to affect the sustainability of the Florida tomato production. Our paper suggests various farm-, market-, and institution-level adaptation mechanisms for preventing the regional production advantage of the Florida tomato industry from eroding. Newer immigration laws are necessary for easing the labor situation. In order to have a level playing field with respect to the use of protected agriculture technology such as in Mexico and Canada, U.S. farmers in general and Florida farmers in particular need government support. Florida farmers need to diversify their fresh produce market strategies, finding new product streams. There is also a need for reforming the product certification landscape, which some growers find cumbersome and cost prohibitive. Growers may gain from being better able to convey to consumers the information regarding their effort put into environmental sustainability, workers welfare, and safe food.

scholarly journals Postharvest Supply Chain with Microbial Travelers: a Farm-to-Retail Microbial Simulation and Visualization Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Zoellner ◽  
Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mamun ◽  
Yrjo Grohn ◽  
Peter Jackson ◽  
Randy Worobo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Modeling Tool ◽  
Parameter Ranges

ABSTRACTFresh produce supply chains present variable and diverse conditions that are relevant to food quality and safety because they may favor microbial growth and survival following contamination. This study presents the development of a simulation and visualization framework to model microbial dynamics on fresh produce moving through postharvest supply chain processes. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) tool provides a modular process modeling approach and graphical user interface to visualize microbial populations and evaluate practices specific to any fresh produce supply chain. The resulting modeling tool was validated with empirical data from an observed tomato supply chain from Mexico to the United States, including the packinghouse, distribution center, and supermarket locations, as an illustrative case study. Due to data limitations, a model-fitting exercise was conducted to demonstrate the calibration of model parameter ranges for microbial indicator populations, i.e., mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (quantified by aerobic plate count and here termed APC) and total coliforms (TC). Exploration and analysis of the parameter space refined appropriate parameter ranges and revealed influential parameters for supermarket indicator microorganism levels on tomatoes. Partial rank correlation coefficient analysis determined that APC levels in supermarkets were most influenced by removal due to spray water washing and microbial growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations, while TC levels were most influenced by growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations. Overall, this detailed mechanistic dynamic model of microbial behavior is a unique modeling tool that complements empirical data and visualizes how postharvest supply chain practices influence the fate of microbial contamination on fresh produce.IMPORTANCEPreventing the contamination of fresh produce with foodborne pathogens present in the environment during production and postharvest handling is an important food safety goal. Since studying foodborne pathogens in the environment is a complex and costly endeavor, computer simulation models can help to understand and visualize microorganism behavior resulting from supply chain activities. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) model, presented here, provides a unique tool for postharvest supply chain simulations to evaluate microbial contamination. The tool was validated through modeling an observed tomato supply chain. Visualization of dynamic contamination levels from harvest to the supermarket and analysis of the model parameters highlighted critical points where intervention may prevent microbial levels sufficient to cause foodborne illness. The PSCMT model framework and simulation results support ongoing postharvest research and interventions to improve understanding and control of fresh produce contamination.

Secure RFID-Enablement in Modern Companies

2012 ◽  
pp. 507-539
Author(s):  
Matthieu-P. Schapranow ◽  
Jürgen Müller ◽  
Alexander Zeier ◽  
Hasso Plattner
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Mutual Authentication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Air Interface ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries ◽  
Secured Data

Current RFID implementations suffer from security threats and privacy issues since the technology was not designed for secured data exchange. In emerging global RFID-aided supply chains, the need for open interfaces between supply chain partners exposes business secrets. A case study focusing on the development of detected counterfeits in the pharmaceutical industries in Europe and in the United States of America motivates the rising importance for RFID security. A formal model for describing RFID-aided supply chains is introduced to analyze flow of messages and data. Countermeasure tasks for all involved supply chain participants are defined to harden the integrity of the global supply chain. Motivated by concerns of exposing data via the air interface, two mutual authentication protocols are presented that aim to keep tag production costs low. Their applicability in context of the pharmaceutical industry is discussed.

Consideration of Manufacturing Processes and the Supply Chain in Product Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Alsaffar ◽  
Karl R. Haapala ◽  
Zhaohui Wu
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Product Design ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Design For X ◽  
Transportation Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Supply Chain ◽  
Environmentally Benign Manufacturing

As efforts continue to incorporate environmental sustainability into product design, struggles persist to concurrently consider the environmental impacts resulting from transportation planning and supply chain network design. In fact, the transportation sector is the second largest contributor to direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, following electricity generation. To address these concerns and consider environmental issues more holistically during the development of products, Design for X (X: manufacturing, environment, etc.) methods, such as environmentally benign manufacturing (EBM) and life cycle assessment (LCA) continue to be advanced through research. In spite of improving environmental performance through design, supply chain related impacts are not well understood and can be impacted by decisions made during product design. Thus, the aim of this research is to explore how changes to the design of a product affect manufacturing supply chain configurations and, in turn, influence product environmental sustainability. The environmental impacts for producing several three-ring binder design variations are predicted by assuming a given set of suppliers that provide materials and components to the manufacturer. Supply chain transportation impacts are also accounted for in the analysis. Transportation impacts are found to be minor compared to materials and manufacturing impacts.

scholarly journals Cost Benefit Analysis of Using Grafted Transplants for Root-knot Nematode Management in Organic Heirloom Tomato Production

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Barrett ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Alan W. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Control Measure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Tomato Cultivar ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Grafted Transplants

Growers are looking for sustainable alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant that are effective and economical. Increased demand for organically produced fruits and vegetables has also contributed to the need for environmentally friendly soil-borne disease control methods. Grafting may be a valuable tool for vegetable growers to cope with pest management challenges in production of cucurbits and solanaceous crops; however, there are concerns regarding the higher costs associated with the use of grafted plants in the United States. The main objective of this 2-year study was to determine if grafting with a resistant rootstock could be cost-effective to overcome root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne sp.) and maintain fruit yield in organic heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in Florida's sandy soils. The heirloom tomato cultivar Brandywine was grafted onto the rootstock ‘Multifort’. Nongrafted and grafted ‘Brandywine’ plants were grown organically in two fields that exhibited different levels of RKN infestations. Grafted and nongrafted transplants were estimated to cost $0.78 and $0.17 per plant, respectively. The cost of rootstock seeds accounted for 36% ($0.28/plant) of the total cost of the grafted transplants and 46% of the cost difference between grafted and nongrafted plants. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using these estimated transplant production costs and crop yield data from the field trials as well as price information for heirloom tomato. Results showed that under severe RKN pressure, grafting may be an economically feasible pest control measure to help maintain a profitable production given that the risk of economic crop losses due to RKN outweighed the higher cost of grafted transplants.

scholarly journals Reusable Plastic Crates (RPCs) for Fresh Produce (Case Study on Cauliflowers): Sustainable Packaging but Potential Salmonella Survival and Risk of Cross-Contamination

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1254
Author(s):  
Francisco López-Gálvez ◽  
Laura Rasines ◽  
Encarnación Conesa ◽  
Perla A. Gómez ◽  
Francisco Artés-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Medium Density Fiberboard ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Contact Materials

The handling of fresh fruits and vegetables in reusable plastic crates (RPCs) has the potential to increase the sustainability of packaging in the fresh produce supply chain. However, the utilization of multiple-use containers can have consequences related to the microbial safety of this type of food. The present study assessed the potential cross-contamination of fresh cauliflowers with Salmonella enterica via different contact materials (polypropylene from RPCs, corrugated cardboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) from wooden boxes). Additionally, the survival of the pathogenic microorganism was studied in cauliflowers and the contact materials during storage. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to evaluate the environmental impact of produce handling containers made from the different food-contact materials tested. The results show a higher risk of cross-contamination via polypropylene compared with cardboard and MDF. Another outcome of the study is the potential of Salmonella for surviving both in cross-contaminated produce and in contact materials under supply chain conditions. Regarding environmental sustainability, RPCs have a lower environmental impact than single-use containers (cardboard and wooden boxes). To exploit the potential environmental benefits of RPCs while ensuring food safety, it is necessary to guarantee the hygiene of this type of container.

scholarly journals Interactions between Microbial Food Safety and Environmental Sustainability in the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1655
Author(s):  
Francisco López-Gálvez ◽  
Perla A. Gómez ◽  
Francisco Artés ◽  
Francisco Artés-Hernández ◽  
Encarna Aguayo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
Microbial Safety ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Produce Safety ◽  
Use Of Resources

Improving the environmental sustainability of the food supply chain will help to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This environmental sustainability is related to different SDGs, but mainly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The strategies and measures used to improve this aspect of the food supply chain must remain in balance with other sustainability aspects (economic and social). In this framework, the interactions and possible conflicts between food supply chain safety and sustainability need to be assessed. Although priority must be given to safety aspects, food safety policies should be calibrated in order to avoid unnecessary deleterious effects on the environment. In the present review, a number of potential tensions and/or disagreements between the microbial safety and environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain are identified and discussed. The addressed issues are spread throughout the food supply chain, from primary production to the end-of-life of the products, and also include the handling and processing industry, retailers, and consumers. Interactions of fresh produce microbial safety with topics such as food waste, supply chain structure, climate change, and use of resources have been covered. Finally, approaches and strategies that will prove useful to solve or mitigate the potential contradictions between fresh produce safety and sustainability are described and discussed. Upon analyzing the interplay between microbial safety and the environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain, it becomes clear that decisions that are taken to ensure fresh produce safety must consider the possible effects on environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. To manage these interactions, a global approach considering the interconnections between human activities, animals, and the environment will be required.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Grafted Tomato Production in Sandy Soils in Northern Florida

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desire Djidonou ◽  
Zhifeng Gao ◽  
Xin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Grafted Transplants

In addition to controlling soilborne diseases, grafting with selected rootstocks has the potential to enhance growth and yields in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. However, information is rather limited regarding its economic viability in different production systems in the United States. The objective of this study was to compare the costs and returns of grafted vs. nongrafted fresh-market tomato production under common management practices in fumigated fields in northern Florida. The field trials were conducted in Live Oak, FL, during Spring 2010 and 2011. ‘Florida 47’ tomato was grafted onto two interspecific hybrid tomato rootstocks: ‘Beaufort’ and ‘Multifort’. Grafted and nongrafted ‘Florida 47’ plants were grown on fumigated raised beds with polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation using recommended commercial production practices for nutrient and pest management. The estimated costs of grafted and nongrafted transplants were $0.67 and $0.15 per plant, respectively, resulting in an additional cost of $3020.16 per acre for using grafted transplants as compared with nongrafted plants. Grafting also led to higher costs of harvesting and marketing tomato fruit as a result of yield improvement (1890 to 2166 25-lb cartons per acre for grafted plant vs. 1457 to 1526 25-lb cartons per acre for nongrafted plant). Partial budget analyses showed that using grafted transplants increased tomato production costs by $4488.03–$5189.76 per acre depending on the rootstock and growing season. However, compared with nongrafted tomato, the net farm return of grafted tomato production was increased by $253.32–$2458.24 per acre based on the tomato shipping point prices. Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated that grafting would be more profitable as the costs of grafted transplants decreased and the market tomato prices increased. These results indicated that although grafting increased the total cost of production, the increase in marketable fruit yield generated significant gross returns to offset costs associated with the use of grafted tomato transplants. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to provide more production budget and net return data about the economic feasibility of grafted tomato production based on a wide range of commercial growing conditions in Florida.

scholarly journals An Exploration into the Opportunities for Blockchain in the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Kwadwo Osei ◽  
Maurizio Canavari ◽  
Martin Hingley
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
A Chain ◽  
The Uk

Blockchain is a data management innovation that allows the linkage of successive records regarding a digital entity, and to store them into a shared, decentralized, distributed and retroactively unchangeable data structure. Each bit of information related to the recorded events contains the public key of the owner, therefore, the whole record is formed by a chain of transactions with blocks of information identifying where the transaction was generated from and its current destination  (Nakamoto, 2008). Blockchain is the technology behind Bitcoin, an online currency that was first introduced in 2009. The technology makes it possible to conduct business between members within the network without relying on third parties as guarantors to prove transaction integrity, thus increasing speed and reducing cost of transaction. Moreover, the transparency posed by the technology makes it possible to trace goods and services through all stages, making the technology a unique tool that can be assimilated by, for example, the Agro-food supply chain systems. Specifically, Blockchain is being tested in a pilot project in the UK meat (Beef) industry by the FSA (Food Standards Agency) and the slaughterhouses, with IBM Blockchain platform to ensure full transparency and compliance with regulations, (Evenstad, 2018). However, the uptake of Blockchain in the fresh produce (fresh and fresh, short-life processed fruit, vegetables, salads) supply chain is lagging, in the United Kingdom, and remains untested and limited to literature, models and specific case studies in the United States of America and France. The study aims at understanding how prepared stakeholders are in adopting Blockchain for their operations. An inductive qualitative method was employed through non-structured interviews with three companies and one consumer focus group. The interviews were guided by seven (7) open-ended questions, which were unstructured. The collected data was analyzed with axial coding through constant comparative methods. Seven (7) themes were identified as factors influencing the adoption of Blockchain in the fresh produce supply chain in the UK. These are, novelty of the technology, complexity of the fresh produce supply chain in UK, level of product transformation, technological compatibility with operations, cost and value, Customer (retailer) push for adoption, and public/consumers opinion. The adaptation of Blockchain by the current fresh produce supply chain in the UK and the EU at large will come about when concerns on Novelty, and complexity of supply chain systems are fully addressed.

Case Study: Maximizing Business Performance by Optimizing Supply Chain Of LNG-C Distribution of 9 Gas Power Plants with A Capacity of 780 MW in Eastern Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Wara
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Total Power ◽  
First Year ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Logistics Optimization ◽  
The Government ◽  
Milk Run

The Government of Indonesia plans to build 9 gas power plants in South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi and Southeast Nusa Tenggara with a total power capacity of 780 MW with an estimated actual gas demand of 46.56 MMSCFD which are planned to be supplied by the Bontang terminal, DS-LNG, Masela LNG, and Tangguh LNG. LNG-C logistics optimization is needed to get the best transportation scenario regarding the eastern region which consists of scattered islands and inadequate infrastructure. This study analyzes and evaluates the best-case scenarios by comparing the time and cost variables. The process of planning the supply chain starts from determining the upstream-downstream distribution scheme and then calculates the shipping distance which results in the determination of the quantity, capacity and shipping of the LNG-C. Based on the analysis and calculation of the logistics, it is concluded that there are 3 divisions of clusters of Kalimantan-Sulawesi, NTT and NTB having estimated needs in a row of 18.06, 18.8, and 9.7 MMSCFD with the Milk-Run transportation method. Logistics optimization results show that scenario 1 has an efficiency value of 87% with an LNG-C transport capacity of 0.35 MMSCF, a roundtrip cruise time of 8.6 days and the number of shipments is 36 / year. The detailed analysis of costs in scenario A is 1-2 USD / MMBTU for the milk and run transportation method, 1.49-1.73 USD / MBTU for LNG-C transport costs, and regasification costs which are 1.0-3.7 USD / MMBTU. Based on the above results it can be calculated that the price of gas in the first year of implementation was 13.4 USD / MMBTU, so the total value below this supply chain was Rp.8,812,876,800.00. Therefore, this idea was created as a solution for the initial steps for the utilization of the domestic natural gas distribution

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