by Kevin Payne | Jan 30, 2018 | Blockchain
It’s hard to match the hype of an upcoming Super Bowl but blockchain is giving it a shot. You can’t go a day without a story about blockchain in the trade and business press. Some companies have even changed their name to include the word “blockchain,” without even having the technology to back it up. Blockchain – Is a Hybrid Model the Best? Despite all the hype, blockchain merits a discussion and serious consideration as the upside benefits for its use and application in the fresh food supply chain is significant. But, at...Continue Reading...
by Kevin Payne | Jan 23, 2018 | Sustainability
One of the greatest challenges humanity faces is figuring out how we’re going to feed another two billion people by 2050 when we can’t even feed all the people alive today. To solve this problem, it’s commonly cited that food production will need to increase by 50 percent globally. Certainly, we can’t find enough land and other resources to cultivate that much food. And, yes, while new approaches like vertical farming can have a major impact, we also need to know how to make more efficient use of the food we produce today and...Continue Reading...
by Kevin Payne | Jan 16, 2018 | Freshness Management
With the start of each year, resolutions are made. And while New Year’s resolutions are typically personal – exercising more, creating and sticking to a budget, or spending more time with family – business resolutions can also be a great way to begin the year. Now is a great time to determine the milestones that you want to achieve this year – and make a plan to achieve them. Setting business goals for an entire year can seem like a daunting task. And, once a goal is set, where do you even begin? For those of you in the fresh food...Continue Reading...
by Kevin Payne | Jan 9, 2018 | Supply Chain
If you’re a grower, manufacturer or retail grocer, you shouldn’t be thinking about me. I’m a baby boomer. Yes, I can spend a lot of money (just ask my wife), but my buying habits are outdated and, if you continue to solely gear your business towards my generation, you’re going to have problems – and very soon at that. As of 2016, the millennials surpassed the baby boomers and they are now the largest demographic buying group in the USA with over 75 million members. Millennials have a very different approach to the way they eat,...Continue Reading...
by Kevin Payne | Jan 2, 2018 | Food Waste
What do date labels actually mean and have you ever been confused by the “Best if Used By” date? If so, you’re not alone. It turns out one of the major contributors to food waste is confusion related to the various dates on foods. America wastes 40% of its food, but a lot of what we toss out is still perfectly safe to eat. And, according to the Food Manufacturing Institute (FMI), about 44% of food waste sent to landfills comes from consumers, and they state that addressing consumer confusion around product date labeling could reduce...Continue Reading...
