ABSTRACT

This chapter provides a conceptual framework for the optimization models. It describes each application of framework, including the agronomic basis for loss assumptions, a description of the representative farm in each case, and the underlying driver of loss. The chapter discusses the degree of loss from commodity to commodity and provides some comment on the key comparative statistics driving loss for each commodity. It describes case studies of fresh tomatoes, table potatoes, processing tomatoes, romaine lettuce, peaches, and strawberries. The chapter outlines the fundamental driver of field loss and then briefly explains the specific parametric assumptions underlying model. It considers the exogenous impact of disease and pest as the key determinant of food loss in the pre-retail sector. The chapter also discusses possible extensions that may provide deeper insight into potential sources of loss that may generalize to other commodities.