Zest Labs Offers Fresh Wishes for the New Year

Zest Labs Offers Fresh Wishes for the New Year

At Zest Labs, we consider ourselves fortunate to work in such an exciting industry and with such great people. As I meet with people in the agriculture industry, from growers to the produce managers at my local grocery store, I’m struck by their passion, dedication and humanity.  It’s inspiring. There are many significant challenges facing our industry, food waste, sustainability, new and dynamic competitive business models and changing demographics and buying preferences, to name a few. We’re excited to be working with talented...Continue Reading...
Solving the Problem of Fresh Produce Waste

Solving the Problem of Fresh Produce Waste

What’s So Bad About Wasting 10%? When it comes to fresh produce waste, the industry has a problem. Let me provide an analogy. Consider the Auto Industry Have you ever taken a tour of an automobile manufacturing facility? I toured what was then a General Motors factory when I was a youth. (That factory now makes Teslas.) It was fascinating to watch the parts arrive from the floor and ceiling, coming together at just the right time to produce a car. A lot of time, effort, expertise and money goes into making a car on an assembly...Continue Reading...
Fresh Food Industry Trends from 2018

Fresh Food Industry Trends from 2018

The Best of Zest – 2018 In 2018, the Zest Labs Blog provided a timeline for what was topical in the fresh food supply chain industry. Google Analytics details which blogs most resonated with our readers. Our analysis reveals a few interesting fresh food industry trends in 2018. In the “Best of Zest” we offer you highlights from the year and some hints of things to look for in 2019. Fresh Food Industry Trend #1: Food Technology Is “So Hot Right Now” New food-related technologies, particularly blockchain for the fresh food supply...Continue Reading...
Romaine Lettuce Labeling – Zest Fresh Can Help

Romaine Lettuce Labeling – Zest Fresh Can Help

On November 27, the FDA recommended a voluntary romaine lettuce labeling program for suppliers of processed and bulk romaine grown throughout the United States. This is in response to the recent E. coli issues that led to the FDA’s November 20 directive to remove and destroy all romaine lettuce in the fresh food supply chain. The FDA is requesting that all romaine lettuce be labeled, whether in bulk, processed or mixed, with the harvest date and location information. This label should be visible on all packaged produce and included...Continue Reading...