Fresh Del Monte, IFPA partner to target supply chain waste

Fresh Del Monte Produce and the International Fresh Produce Association are teaming up to help eliminate waste in the fresh produce supply chain.

As part of the partnership, through IFPA’s Supply Chain of the Future initiative, Fresh Del Monte has committed to executive sponsorship of two key steering committees: Harmonized Standards and Shelf-Life Prediction, according to a news release.

Mohammed Abbas, Fresh Del Monte’s chief operating officer, will serve as executive sponsor, and company leaders will contribute to the initiative’s working groups.

Raul Saca, senior vice president of Global Logistics, will lead engagement in the Harmonized Standards committee, which will identify and align existing standards relevant to the fresh produce supply chain. Walter Tordoff, vice president of Global Quality Assurance, will lead participation in the Shelf-Life Prediction group, which will define data requirements for effective shelf-life prediction and identify use cases that demonstrate value across the supply chain.

“Waste across the supply chain is one of the most urgent issues facing our industry,” Abbas said in the release. “There’s so much waste out there — and what’s missing is predictability and a more integrated supply chain. Fixing just those two things could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings.”

The Supply Chain of the Future initiative is built on four pillars: Shelf-Life Prediction, Dynamic Incentives, Harmonized Standards and Smart Data Escrow.

The initiative includes plan to expand pilot programs through industry partnerships and technical enhancements, with a global showcase planned during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in October.

A Supply Chain of the Future Symposium will be held on June 9 in conjunction with IFPA’s Washington Conference.

“Data doesn’t move food. Collaboration does,” said Steve Alaerts, IFPA Supply Chain Council chair. “This initiative is about bringing the industry together to break down data silos and foster trust across the supply chain.”