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Scientific paper

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Extension of shelf life of fruits and vegetables from the Kaiserstuhl area through utilization of solar thermal drying and regional marketing of the products

Authors:
Wolfgang Striewe, Friedemar Schreiber, Kurt Schüle, Gudawar Singh, Welf Aumann

Entry type:
Scientific paper

Year of publication:
2014

Publishers:
Degrowth Conference Leipzig 2014

Language:
English

Abstract: The presented project sets high standards for the sustainable preservation of food by drying. Fruits and vegetables are purchased from regional and ecological farms and gardens. In addition orchard meadows are harvested and cared for in order to preserve these important habitats. The drying process is driven by solar energy. The process is adapted and synchronized to the availability of solar energy. Thereby, the drying process can be run by 100 % solar energy. Commonly 20...30 % of renewable energies are integrable into industrial processes. Thus it is giving an example of how the industry could cut down energy consumption. Finally, the sale of products is run by regional marketing networks only. Working with a solar only system with only regional processes and marketing makes the brand „Sonnenobst“ independend from energy and transport prices and is thus comparatively resilient. In the future we plan to combine the dried fruits and vegetables with Muesli, pickled tomatoes and fruit cake from other regional producers. These are further steps towards a regional food market.

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