*2.2. Study Location and Production System*

The farm selected for this study was located in Queensland's Bundaberg region, one of Australia's largest tomato production regions, with an annual farm-gate value of AUD500 million [43]. The selection of the farm was undertaken in consultation with the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association to ensure production; postharvest handling and transport practices were typical for the region. The farm, located in Elliot Heads (Figure 1), was supplying tomatoes (*var. Lava)* to domestic markets in either Brisbane or Bundaberg. Product for the two trials was sourced from separate harvests in the spring/summer season of 2014. Both supply chains were based on tomatoes being trellis-grown in an open field with a rain-fed production system, and incorporated mechanized harvesting, modern and efficient packaging and grading equipment, and access to cool storage infrastructure.

**Figure 1.** Map of study area, Bundaberg, Queensland.
