When a harvest leaves the field,
not all the crops are equally ready for market;
agricultural graders and sorters
evaluate unprocessed foods to classify
or rate them by size, weight,
color, or condition.
Graders and sorters categorize products
that are of differing quality and color,
such as different types of apples,
and pick out any defective products,
typically, rotten fruit, foreign matter, leaves,
or pieces of wood.
They also load products in containers
before sending them on for further processing,
whether to ship to market
or to be manufactured for prepared foodstuffs.
Graders and sorters typically spend
almost all their time standing
and moving about,
using their hands, bending, and lifting objects.
The work can be fast-paced and repetitive.
There are no formal education requirements
for graders and sorters,
and on-the-job training
can be completed quickly.