In the United States, $180 billion in food is thrown away annually by consumers, grocers, and restaurants. Nearly two-thirds of this wasted food is fresh food, in order of quantity:
$40 billion: Fruits & Vegetables (produce)
$40 billion: Grains & Breads
$35 billion: Meat
Over 80% of consumers throw away fresh produce and 60% throw away Breads/Grains at least once a month. The average American family throws away $2,200 of food annually, one-quarter of which is fresh produce ($400-600). Clearly, there is great potential for products that can effectively reduce the amount of wasted food on an annual basis.
IMPORTANT: Please see the attached document for additional terms & conditions from the Challenger
Propose a new product(s), that includes at least one consumable (frequently repurchased, ex. soap, shampoo, diapers, etc.) component, that could effectively prevent produce spoilage and waste. The solution would increase the useful/fresh life of fresh produce, including both refrigerated and non-refrigerated fruits and vegetables. Please include:
1) A detailed explanation of why and how the solution works
2) A mockup/design of your solution to support its efficacy (simple sketches/mockups, CAD designs, etc.)
Mechanisms for food spoilage:
1) Humidity: soggy; wilty
2) Ethylene Gas: premature aging/ripening; color change
3) Mold/Midew: white/blue fuzz; black specks
4) Oxidation: browning when cut
Criteria:
- At least one consumable component, not including a bag/container ("consumable" is defined as a product consumers buy frequently, and use daily. Examples include: soaps, diapers, formula, shampoos, etc.)
- Function: Aim to increase the useful life of fresh fruits and vegetables by at least +50%
- Intuitive/easy to use
- Affordable enough to use relative to the cost of food preserved
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Submissions will be graded on the following criteria:
- Meets Deliverables
- Creativity
- Clarity
will receive $150 each
will receive $50 each
| $150.00 |
|
Chang Liu Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | |
| $150.00 |
|
Zhuohong (Kenny) Xie University of Maryland | |
| $150.00 |
|
Marie Schlatter James Madison University | |
| $150.00 |
|
Spencer Heilner Brigham Young University | |
| $150.00 |
|
Mary Kylee Rice West Virginia University | |
| $50.00 |
|
Rhys Brooks University of New Mexico | |
| $50.00 |
|
Alex Pierce Ohio State University | |
| $50.00 |
|
Minqian Wang Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | |
| $50.00 |
|
Neil Carey University of Vermont | |
| $50.00 |
|
Rosa Melillo Stevens Institute of Technology |