This report investigates the supply accessibility and packaging of semi-direct starter cultures from Agroscope, an agricultural research center under the Swiss government, who supplies starter cultures to over 90% of cheesemakers in Switzerland. Our goals were to analyze the current conditions of transportation, storage, and waste management of the product in the Swiss Alps. Through surveys to Alpine cheesemakers and interviews with cheesemaking experts, it was found that the expected barriers in transportation and storage were not prevalent. This project also discusses ways to improve waste management and usability through several proposed redesigned packaging systems, with easily accessible instructions for improving the cheese making process.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Wu, Jyalu
• Hersum, Alek R.
• Schneck, Catina L.
• Schwarzrock, Erich F.

Subject

• Innovation
• Food

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 4491
• E-project-101620-130655

Keyword

• Sustainability
• Starter Cultures
• Product Redesign
• Alpine Farmers
• Cheese
• Packaging

Advisor

• Currier, Blake Hoag
• Brisson, Ulrike

Year

• 2020

Center

• Zurich, Switzerland Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Agroscope

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Date created

• 2020-10-16

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-02-01