User:Freshnessmeter/sandbox

Freshness Meter

Freshness Meter is a process that helps consumers estimate the freshness of fruits and vegetables based on the number of hours the fruits and the vegetables have passed since harvest. It also lets the retailers help brand according to their freshness. It is a simple process copyrighted by an Indian, Suudipta Daas. The product is all set to enter the market in 2013.

How does it work?

Freshness Meter is a process which uses a simple equipment consisting of a basket fitted with two clocks. One of the clocks indicates the present time the fruits and vegetables are there in the basket. The other clock indicates the harvest time. So, buyers can calculate the difference between the times in the two clocks and estimate the hours the fruits and vegetables have passed in transit. It is a acceptable fact that nutrition levels are the highest as the moment of harvest and decreases with time. Thus the time factor is seen as a pointer towards the freshness level of the foods present.

Uses

Nutritional content of fruits and vegetables begin to drop from the moment they are plucked from the plant. Metabolic rate in the fruit or vegetable increases, it begins to dehydrate and subsequently, its nutritional content deteriorates. The nutritional ingredients present in fruits and vegetables are at its highest just after they are plucked from the plant. When the fruit reaches decomposition stage, nutritional components become nil. So, when consumers purchase fruits and vegetables, it is important to know their nutrient content so that they get good value for money. Freshness Meter helps estimate the time factor here which is directly proportional to the nutrient content in this regard.

Benefits for consumers

The main function of Freshness Meter is to show the transit time through the fruits and vegetables are placed. The intention is to help consumers make an informed choice when they shop for fruits and vegetables. It is left to their choice if they were to pay higher for a fresher fruits and vegetables and vice versa. Freshness Meter thus promotes a healthy buying environment for consumers.

Benefits for retailers

Freshness Meter finds huge uses in retail food stores. Store owners can use the Freshness Meter as an index to promote freshness and price it accordingly. The competition need not be there between similar products, it will be there for the fresher product. Large format stores do not need to compete on wholesome basis but rather on a tangible aspect which is associated with Freshness meter. In doing so, Freshness Meter enable retailers to price their food products depending on its freshness value, thereby offering good value for money for their customers. Freshness Meter brings transparency in the sale of goods and helps retailers build trust and brand to their sales of fruits and vegetables.