A MULTI-STATE APPROACH FOR ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF POSTHARVEST PRACTICES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF ORGANIC PRODUCE

The long-term goal of this project is to provide small-acreage organic produce growers with appropriate postharvest handling practices that they can use to ensure the quality, shelf-life and safety of their products.This planning project effort will be focused on the following objectives: (1) We will form a Multistate Advisory Panel (MAP) which will involve organic produce growers, grower organizations, produce buyers, and extension, research and teaching faculty members. This MAP will be engaged in all project planning activities and will provide their inputs to direct the project.(2) We will develop and disseminate organic produce grower and buyer surveys (needs assessment) with the MAP, to help identify critical needs for research, education and extension in postharvest handling for safe and high quality organic produce.(3) We will conduct focus groups with organic growers, grower organization leaders, buyers, and consumers, which will help us understand and prioritize their challenges.(4) We will share the key information generated from the needs assessment with all stakeholders through various vehicles of dissemination.(5) We will engage and incorporate the inputs and recommendations of all groups in developing the integrated multistate organic postharvest practices project proposal.