06/24/05 Smart Fresh and apples

As the fruit industry continues to study the effects of what may be an innovative product for shelf life and quality of pome fruits, it might be noted that more growers and packers are willing to give it a try. According to Washington State University Yakima County Extension Agent Dana Faubion, forty per cent of this past year's apple crop has been treated with the agent known commercially as "Smart Fresh". FAUBION: If used properly according to very sophisticated label and use guidelines, Smart Fresh provides a better eating experience at the consumer level. Smart Fresh causes apples and pears to remain firmer and crisper longer, ideals during the long periods of controlled atmosphere storage. Faubion says despite the promise of Smart Fresh, what is not yet known is the long term economic benefits of its use. FAUBION: The return back to the grower and packer is a little obtuse at times but there can be a higher packout, there can be less loss of fruit in storage. There can also be more loss and so it is a tool that needs to be managed as all new tools, with a great deal with care. This leads Faubion to compare Smart Fresh with C.A. storage, a revolutionary innovation at the time of its introduction a half century ago, but still in need of study and fine tuning. FAUBION: I think that we need to have a few years with it. It's going to take us a while to fully understand what Smart Fresh can do.