An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has a top, a bottom, and a perimeter. The detecting unit sequentially detects the capacitance of the plurality of electrodes from one end to the other end of the predetermined direction. Application may be prior to harvest, at or during harvest or post-harvest. The hanging guards are constructed of material that protects and separates the cookware hanging from the hanging assemblies.