In the UK, apple growers are grappling with soaring production expenses, predominantly due to the escalated energy costs associated with refrigerating the harvested fruit. AC Hulme & Sons, a diverse farm in Canterbury, is spearheading an initiative to mitigate these challenges through the first round of the Business Sustainability Challenge. This endeavor aims at pioneering sustainable practices in production, packaging, and product development within the horticultural and food supply sectors. By potentially decreasing operational costs and the carbon footprint of apple cultivation in the UK, AC Hulme’s project is a beacon of innovation.
Collaborating with five academic and industry partners, the project focuses on energy consumption reduction during the long-term storage of apples, specifically examining the ‘Gala’ variety across four storage units. GridDuck, a London-based energy technology firm, and Stemy Energy, an AI specialist, are among the collaborators employing remote sensors and advanced artificial intelligence to optimize energy efficiency without compromising fruit quality. Additionally, British Apples and Pears Ltd (BAPL) is conducting surveys to assess current energy reduction strategies among apple growers, guiding future research endeavors.
Previous initiatives funded by Growing Kent & Medway, like the grant awarded to JIB Cannon and Son for cold storage upgrades, have already shown promising results in energy savings. This highlights the ongoing commitment to enhancing sustainability in apple storage practices across the UK.
Source: growingkentandmedway.com