University of Arizona @ Yuma
Collaboration with Southern Arizona Growers
Lodestar Gardens is working with a research team headed up by Professor Kurt Nolte from the University of Arizona in a study of post harvest sanitation methods utilizing natural cleansing agents. The first phase of this project took place in the fall 2013 and 45 lbs of lettuce was grown at Lodestar Gardens for the project. The second phase of the research is scheduled for the spring of 2014. The goal is to find the most effective, yet least harsh cleaning agents and sanitation techniques for produce grown for markets. This is the first official scientific study with the attempt to verify the viability of alternative sanitation agents such as vinegar and peroxide. We are excited by the pure science being applied to the cleaning procedures we have used for years.