I designed this crate as a multi-purpose plastic free alternative to the common tulip bulb crates used by local farmers in Southeast Michigan, specifically those who sold their produce at Argus Farm Stop. Argus is a cafe and grocery store that sells locally grown produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and other grocery items. Farmers drop off the produce at the store, and staff are responsible for stocking and selling the items on behalf of the producers for a flat fee on consignment.
The issue is, though, that farmers don't have a standardized size or design for their produce crates, which creates complications for storage and organization for Argus staff.
The crate is designed to have swappable inner modules suited to different needs such as refrigerated or frozen items, produce that needs ventilation, or anything in between. The liners are designed to be easily replaced, keeping the durable plywood backbone of the create in use for longer.
Above: Staff using the crate to store and stock produce, testing its ergonomics and usability.
Below: Drawings, scale models, and design iterations of the produce crate.
