High-profile outbreaks in the U.S. have been increasingly linked to the consumption of leafy greens (Xue et al. 2007), making traceability an important issue (Corkery and Popper 2018). Consumers' increasing attention to traceability (Hansstein 2014) has led to the implementation of blockchain-based traceability systems. This study measures U.S. consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for blockchain-based traceability information in packages of romaine lettuce and spinach. We conduct two online Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) and surveys to understand consumer preferences for USDA-certified organic leafy greens, access to blockchain-based traceability information via QR codes, and the FDA's voluntary labeling guidelines involving growing region information. Our findings suggest that some U.S. consumers are willing to pay a premium for food products with blockchain-based traceability or standard traceability information delivered via QR-codes. Findings also reflect some consumers' interest in organic products, and in knowing the detailed growing region information, particularly if leafy greens are grown in Arizona.

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The presence of postharvest sanitizers has shown to be an effective approach to reducing microbial cross contamination in agricultural washing operations. However, choosing an appropriate sanitizer can be challenging due to produce commodity, processing conditions and interference with organic load. Current research shows a wide variety of methods to mimic the organic load of vegetable processing conditions, with paddle mixing and blender as the most commonly used. Controlling and understanding the physiochemical properties of wash water is key in maintaining sanitizer efficacy. The effects of simulated wash water preparation method on the physiochemical properties were tested at 0 and 50 COD(mg/L) and no significant difference was observed. However, at high levels of organic load results showed a significant difference between turbidity values at 1,500 COD. Free residual chlorine titration methods were compared, using DPD-titrimetric and Iodometric method. Results showed a significant difference between titration methods in organic load heavy environments. Commercially available chlorine based sanitizers, Pure Bright™ Germicidal Bleach and Clorox® Germicidal Bleach, were compared to a concentrated solution of sodium hypochlorite. Pure Bright™ Germicidal Bleach showed to perform the best by reducing 7 log CFU/ml of E. coli O157:H7 after 30 seconds in no organic load environments, whereas Clorox Germicidal bleach was able to reduce 7 log CFU/ml of E. coli O157:H7 after 30 minutes. These studies aim to provide best management practices for small in medium growers in the implementation of antimicrobial solutions for the maintenance of water quality in postharvest washing solutions.

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