About WACS
Organic fruit and vegetable producers face distinct challenges compared to conventional farming, particularly when it comes to controlling microorganisms that cause spoilage and foodborne illness. With limited options for intervention, ensuring the safety and longevity of organic produce requires innovative solutions. This project seeks to expand the application of organic-compliant coatings containing antimicrobial essential oils. WACS’s integrated approach combines transdisciplinary expertise to address the key needs of organic producers: extending shelf life, reducing food safety risks, and maintaining high product quality that meets consumer expectations. The goal of WACS is to provide organic producers with reliable solutions that ensure fresher, safer produce for consumers and a more sustainable future for the organic farming community.
Objectives
Objective 1
Formulate organic compliant essential oil coatings
Objective 2
Reduce native fungi and foodborne human pathogens on organic produce with essential oil coatings
Objective 3
Evaluate the shelf life and quality of essential oil coated organic fruits and vegetables
Objective 4
Assess the consumer acceptability and economic viability of essential oil coatings for organic fruits and vegetables
Objective 5
Extension, outreach and project dissemination