Ideal Produce Wash Station for Small-scale Farmers: The Importance, Principles, Workflow Design, Water Quality, Washing, and Cooling Methods

Abstract

Wash stations are important for crop production operations but could also be a source of food contamination if best practices are ignored. It is the central point between the harvest and distribution of farm vegetables. Depending on the design and the capacity, wash stations can serve several purposes such as washing, packing, cold storage, and loading. Wash stations come in different designs from very simple (Fig. 1a) to complex with conveyor belts (Fig. 1b). They all have the same goal to reduce contamination. This paper discusses the importance, basic principles, components and workflow designs of a produce wash station, as well as, water, and storage factors in the context of small-scale farmers