The Nature and Extent of Retail and Consumer Losses in Apples, Oranges, Lettuce, Peaches, Strawberries, and Potatoes Marketed in Greater New York

Excerpt from the report: Information on the nature and extent of losses in produce after it reaches the terminal markets is very meager. Very little factual data are available on losses encountered in wholesaling, retailing, and consumption of most produce commodities. Yet information on the nature and magnitude of these losses could provide valuable guidelines toward realizing such goals as preserving the quality of produce, reducing marketing costs, and promoting increased consumption of fresh produce. It is toward the attainment of these goals that we present the results of a 3-year study on market losses in the Greater New York area. The following produce commodities were selected for the study: (1) Apples, Red Delicious from the Pacific Northwest and the Appalachian area; (2) oranges, Washington Navels from California and Valencias from Florida; (3) crisphead lettuce from central California; (4) peaches, mostly from the East; (5) strawberries, mostly from California; (6) potatoes, Katahdins from Maine and White Rose from California. These commodities were studied during their respective marketing seasons in Greater New York over a 3-year period commencing in September 1966 and ending in October 1969.