The key issues of waste and food security will be tackled thanks to a new collaboration between East Malling Research and the University of Greenwich.
A Produce Quality Centre (PQC)has been established at East Malling with a remit to address key issues in the supply chain. The facility was officially opened by the Duke of Kent last week.
Specifically, the PQC will focus on optimising both pre-harvest and postharvest factors to improve the storage and quality of produce throughout the supply chain – from producer to plate – with the aim of increasing consumer choice, improving energy and transport efficiency, quality and nutrition, reducing waste and extending availability.
The project combines the technical credentials of the two organisations involved, with EMR focusing on temperate crops and the University’s Natural Resources Institute (NRI) looking at tropical crops.
A range of facilities across EMR and the University of Greenwich will be utilised for the PQC, which will have a focus at the Jim Mount Building, regarded as the UK’s leading controlled-atmosphere research storage facility.
“At a time when food security is gaining an ever-higher position on the political agenda, it is a great step forward that these teams can join their considerable forces on common issues,” said EMR chief executive Professor Peter Gregory.
“By focusing the widest range of horticultural expertise and post-harvest research facilities assembled in the UK, we can improve quality and reduce losses for a wide range of temperate and tropical fruits, vegetables and cut flowers, develop best practice and troubleshoot problems in the supply chain.”
Projects taking place at the PQC are funded by BBSRC, DEFRA, agricultural levy bodies and commercial clients including supermarkets.
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