Science v. Waste: The quest for fresher produce

Agri-tech companies are using science to try to extend the life of produce and help prevent food waste. Scientists from Chicago based Hazel Technologies have created a small sachet that can slow the ripening of apples by inhibiting the naturally occurring hormone ethylene.

Patrick Flynn, Hazel Technologies co-founder said "We've demonstrated with the data that you can just pop this in, whether it's naked in the box, which would be just the fruit in the box or whether there's some type of packaging. This will work with both those situations." 

Using eco-friendly methods to keep produce fresher is a growing industry. Many techniques are still in their infancy and being tested for effectiveness by academics. Month after month, apples are brought out of storage and prepared for market. Modern storage techniques make it increasingly possible for consumers to find crisper apples year-round.