ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses farm-level loss from the viewpoint of mid- to large-scale produce growers. It considers product grown primarily for the fresh market, as opposed to exclusively for processing, and also considers losses of product left in the field as unharvested, as opposed to product graded out in the packing house. Food loss and waste are sensitive for many businesses, and farms are no exception. Food waste is generally related to individual behavior and occurs within the retail, restaurant, and household levels of the supply chain. Quality standards play an important role in the fresh produce industry. During the sorting and grading process on-farm, attention is given to the difference between quality and condition. Market destination is a second characteristic that broadly impacts the amount of field loss. Researchers should be well prepared with a solid grounding in the nature of produce growing, harvesting, and selling for the crop of interest.
