On-Farm Packing Facility 101 Jim Baughman, Freedom Valley Farm Liz Maynard, Purdue University Indiana Small Farm Conference February 21, 2014 Danviille, IN Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. FVF Farm Activities in a Packing Facility (all activities may not be done, depending on farm) • • • • • • • • • • • • • Receiving (from field) Cleaning or Washing Drying Trimming or Topping Waxing Grading Sizing Packing Pre-cooling Cooling Storing product Shipping Waste handling (product and water) Planning Questions • Which activities? • How much product? • What products? Priority products? – Market requirements for different products • Need for future expansion? • Equipment shapes, sizes, capabilities? • Seasonality? Example Planning Crop Tomatoes Leafy Greens Sweet Corn Winter Squash Turnips Importance Wash *** *** √ * Pre-cool Store (shortterm) ? √ √ √ ** * √ √ Store (longterm) Quantity Months /Day JuneOct Jan.Dec. JulyAug. Sept. Sept. FVF Packing Facility Walk-in Coolers CSA Slide Winter Carrots Plan for Efficiency • • • • • Flow pattern Bulk handling Automation Communication Employee station for recordkeeping Kitinoja and Kader 2003 Photo from Healthy Farmers Healthy Profits at U. Wisc. FVF Packing Facility Primary Wash Tank Plan for People • Ergonomic • Lighting (for comfort as well as for grading produce) • Noise • Break area • Toilet facilities • Storage of clothing, personal effects (coats, jackets gloves, boots) Greens Cleaning Station Plan for People - Lockers Plan for Safety • • • • • Electrical hazards Container weight limitations Eyewash station First aid Fire extinguishers Safety - Electrical Hazard Insulation FVF Packing Facility Plan for Food Safety • Cleanable materials and equipment • Potable water • Controlled access • Unattractive to animals • Separation of clean and dirty • Dedicated storage areas • Glass is contained • Handwashing sink • Employee station for recordkeeping • Adequate cooling Greens Machine Walk-in Cooler Walk-in Cooler Storage FVF Barn Cleanable – Barn Floor Processing vs Packing • Processing plants fall under different regulations www.in.gov/isdh/files/Indiana_Guide_for_Preparation_of_Fruits_and_Vegetables_exempt.pdf Salad Greens Plan for Sustainability • • • • • Energy efficiency in building and equipment Efficient water use Reuse/recycling of water Waste handling Renewable materials Insulation Radiant Heat Pipes Outdoor Wood Boiler Waste Handling - Barn Septic Waste Handling - Barn Septic FVF High Tunnels Resources Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Connection ag.purdue.edu/hla/fruitveg/ for copies of Scott Sanford’s presentation on buildling a cooler see links at ag.purdue.edu/hla/fruitveg/Pages/IHC2014.aspx Postharvest Handling Decision Tool from Leopold Center for Suatainable Ag www.leopold.iastate.edu/cool_tools/post_harvest_handling_decision_tool Small-Scale Postharvest Handling Practices, Kitinoja and Kader ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-1449.pdf NCSU Postharvest Resources www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/ The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks, USDA-ARS, Agricultural Handbook Number 66, 2004. www.ba.ars.usda.gov/hb66/contents.html Indiana Guide for Preparation of Fruits and Vegetables Exempt from Processing Requirements www.in.gov/isdh/files/Indiana_Guide_for_Preparation_of_Fruits_and_Vegetables_exempt.pdf Indiana State Dept. of Health Final Guide on Whole Uncut Fresh Produce Storage and Distribution, 2006. www.in.gov/isdh/files/Guidance_on_fresh_produce_final.pdf Indiana-Illinois Food Safety for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ag.purdue.edu/hla/foodsafety/ Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits at U. Wisconsin bse.wisc.edu/HFHP/ delicious.com/vegetableproduction/postharvest
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