8. Grower’s and Preserver’s Responsibility Cycle Postharvest Care Harvest or Purchase Planting & Growing Consumption Variety Selection Soil Preparation Food Preservation
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15. References: Bush, D. and Keener, K. (February, 2007) Food Entrepreneurship Series: Food Preservation and Processing Technologies . Department of Food Science, Purdue Extension, Bulletin No. FS-15-W. James, B. H., (2002) Keeping It Fresh from the Field. Ohio State University Extension. Available at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/fresh/Lesson.pdf Kendall, P. and Payton, L. (August, 2008) Food and Nutrition Series: Cost of Preserving and Storing Food. Colorado State University Extension, Bulletin No. 8.707 Michelich, K. (January 2010) Home Canning: Consider the Pros and Cons. Ohio State University Extension
Editor's Notes
Today’s Topics When to Harvest Produce see Fact Sheet on Ohioline http://ohioline.osu.edu/fresh/Harvest.pdf 2. Estimated Yield of Canned Fruits & Vegetables from Fresh See Colorado University Extension Fact Sheet 3. Actual Yield Depends on Quality of Food See Colorado University Extension Fact Sheet 4. Cost of Preserving and Storing Food See Colorado University Extension Fact Sheet
Before deciding what food to preserve, consider the types of foods your family enjoys You will also want to consider the use of the preserved food in your family meals and snacks prepared
We preserve foods for different reasons Some of us do food preservation because we want to preserve our garden produce Some of us want to know and manage what is in their food Other individuals will get great personal satisfaction of doing food preservation as an activity Another reason is the stored food is a convenience Many time Family and Consumer Sciences Educators are told that families enjoy getting together and canning, freezing, or drying Sometimes neighbors have fun working together Many people will distribute their food as a gift to loved ones
It is estimated that produce harvested lose 5-25% of nutrients This is most often because of poor handling practices resulting in damage and disease 2. Produce will continue age and will eventually spoil Fresh produce is a living system that continues to change Knowing how to handle produce to prevent spoilage is key in food preservation 3. Principles of postharvest handling are the same whether you are growing for your own fruits and vegetables or purchasing from a farmers market or grocery store
Consumers/ Individual family members want high quality produce they perceive as fresh Perception of quality is based on: 1. Appearance and feel a. Size, color, shape b. Firmness 2. Eating quality a. Texture b. Flavor c. Juiciness 3. Freshness a. Water content b. Gloss or sheen c. Aroma 4. Organically Grown a. No pesticides
Produce quality can be maintained to as close to when picked (slow the aging process) by using good growing and postharvest handling practices
Postharvest quality is directly related to decisions and practices from variety selection by the grower to food preservation by the consumer A. Grower’s responsibilities are: 1. Variety selection (characteristics genetically programmed) a. Choose for superior flavor, texture, color b. Look at shelf life, storage potential 2. Soil preparation (postharvest problems—too much nitrogen, too little calcium) 3. Planting and growing a. Spacing, thinning b. Timing planting c. Trellising d. Pruning e. Water and nutrition management f. Pest and disease control B. Food Preserver’s responsibilities are: 4. Harvest own produce or purchase produce 5. Postharvest care a. Storage Food Preservation a. Canning b. Freezing c. Drying d. Pickling 7. Consuming Food
When to Harvest Produce see Fact Sheet on Ohioline Available at http://ohioline.osu.edu/fresh/Harvest.pdf
Freezing slows down the spoilage process by changing water into ice, a form that the bacteria cannot use Canning first destroys bacteria through heating and then the food is placed in a sterilized container and sealed Drying removes water from the food which stops spoilage by preventing bacteria to grow and reproduce
Notes: Ohioline Fact Sheet Cost of Storing and Producing Food Colorado State Extension http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/08704.html
For more information refer to the Colorado University Extension Fact Sheet Bu=bushel
In summary, home food preservation can be rewarding Individuals need to be mindful of the produce available and consider the overall cost of preserving food