Addressing 100% pre-consumer food waste in strawberries

The Challenge

Strawberries are highly valuable but perishable products that are associated with strict grading and retail specifications. Substantial quantities of edible fruit are currently lost or wasted through the supply chain due to factors such as short shelf life, non-conforming produce, overproduction, and adverse weather events.  

Our Plan

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) in collaboration with SSS Strawberries and End Food Waste Australia aims to tackle this critical strawberry supply chain challenge by focusing on the following systematic objectives: 

1. a) Extend shelf-life of fresh strawberries utilising novel processing technologies;

1. b) Use a consumer-led product development methodology to explore new value-add opportunities for utilising second and third-grade fruit. 

This project offers a solution for 100% crop utilisation by identifying opportunities to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit and develop value added products that meet specific market needs. This will significantly reduce food waste and increase profitability, through reduction in losses through the supply chain, and the utilisation of second and third grade product.