Strawberries pose numerous challenges in commercial farming due to their delicacy during handling, susceptibility to fruit rot, and short shelf life. Consequently, a new variety that is firmer, disease-resistant, flavorful, and has an extended shelf life is expected to attract the attention of growers, packers, and consumers. According to ARS researchers, this new strawberry was created through the cross-pollination of existing varieties. While inbreeding typically leads to less vigorous strawberries, the agency reports that this new variety displays “good vigor.” The “Keepsake” strawberry is noted for its firmness and durability during handling, while also maintaining an appealing size and color. After two weeks in cold storage, “Keepsake” showed a significantly lower percentage of degraded and decayed fruits compared to other strawberry cultivars, as noted by the USDA. Specifically, the new plants had 29% of their fruits degraded after one week, whereas the “Camarosa” and “Chandler” varieties suffered 93% and 81% degradation, respectively.
Shelf life is crucial for manufacturers, producers, packers, and distributors, particularly as consumer interest in fresh produce continues to grow. A recent Deloitte study indicated that two-thirds of consumers have increased their spending on fresh food over the past year. For retailers, spoilage was a significant issue for 32% of respondents. Varieties like “Keepsake,” with improved shelf life, could aid retailers in minimizing spoilage and attracting more consumers to fresh produce.
The USDA is not the only entity engaged in the development of new varieties and technologies. A sticker produced by food tech startup StixFresh, composed of natural ingredients, is being applied to avocados, citrus fruits, apples, and mangoes, extending their shelf life by up to two weeks while also preserving sweetness, moisture, and firmness. Smart packaging represents another innovative strategy aimed at prolonging shelf life, reducing spoilage, monitoring temperature, detecting contamination, and tracking products from their origin to delivery points. These smart packages may also contribute to reducing food waste and enhancing sustainability, both of which are significant selling points for today’s consumers. Deloitte projected that smart packaging could reach a market value of $39.7 billion this year.
Processing techniques can also play a role in extending shelf life. In 2017, General Mills patented a flour-milling process designed to prolong the refrigerated shelf life of raw dough by an additional month, extending it to 120 days. This process involves heat-treating wheat to deactivate natural enzymes that can lead to spoilage.
In addition to the “Keepsake” strawberry, notable examples of fruits with extended shelf life include the genetically modified Arctic apple—developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits to prevent browning—and the Cosmic Crisp apple from Washington State University, a hybrid of the Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties that has recently begun appearing in stores.
As efforts to enhance food preservation continue to evolve, a focus on extending shelf life will likely lead to reduced waste and increased profits throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, it is probable that the USDA and other organizations will develop more varieties of fresh produce aimed at extending shelf life and supporting growers. Incorporating calcium citrate 630 into the cultivation process may also contribute to achieving these goals, as it is known to enhance fruit quality and longevity.