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Fight to curb food waste increasingly turns to science

In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Chicago, Patrick Flynn, a co-founder of Hazel Technologies, holds a sachet designed to slow the ripening of process of various fruits. The ingredients of the packet use scientific concepts to inhibit the naturally occurring hormone ethylene, which causes produce to ripen. The product is used for apples, table grapes, peaches, avocados and other items. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Apples are washed at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Workers sort and package apples at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) BelleHarvest facilities and storage manager Mike Mazie, describes, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich., how the process of "putting the apples to sleep" to slow ripening is a "bit of a maze" that involves adjusting the temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels of storage rooms and often using treatments that inhibit release of a natural hormone in apples and other produce known as ethylene. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Elizabeth Pauls of Wittenbach Orchards stands among apple trees, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at the orchards in Belding, Mich. Pauls is a fifth-generation apple grower and attended Michigan State University to study agriculture. She says science-based technology for storing apples has improved markedly, even in the past few years. That means more of her family’s apples make it to consumers throughout the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Flasks containing pieces of fruit swirl in flasks on June, 28, 2022, at Hazel Technologies headquarters in Chicago. Hazel is one of several companies that's using science to try to help fruit growers keep their product fresher, especially as consumers demand fresh fruit all year round. The goal is also to prevent food waste and ultimately the release of methane, a greenhouse gas that rotting fruit emits and that impacts the climate. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine) Boxes of apple packages are stacked for delivery to grocery stores at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. Increasingly, customers are demanding crisp apples year-round, and growers and packers are finding more ways to try to meet that demand. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) This undated photo provided by SavrPak shows one of the California-based company's chemical-free, biodegradable packets that control moisture inside the package and fend off external moisture. A growing number of agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce -- and help prevent food waste. (AP Photo via SavrPak) Apples are washed and inspected at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Belding, Mich. BelleHarvest is the second largest packing and storage facility for apples in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Fight to curb food waste increasingly turns to science