Some produce suppliers might be wondering what the fuss is about, since everyone already has food safety protocols like the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) and federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines in place.
So why would anything else be necessary? The answer lies in the speed and efficiency of blockchain to track information, especially when it comes to traceability.
Blockchain does not replace, but enhances, other industry programs.
“Blockchain is on top of what we’re doing today,” says Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain for Newark, DE-based Produce Marketing Association. “PTI is the foundation of the pilots Walmart is doing; we’re not going to be creating a new language. It has to add on to what we currently do.”
Charlie Loes, director of technology at Robinson Fresh, headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN, says blockchain will provide many benefits for the produce industry.
“The true power of blockchain and perishable supply chains will manifest through critical mass, which is likely to be some years out. At the core of it, blockchain technology is innovative but not overly complex, which is part of its brilliance.”
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This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full article.
Some produce suppliers might be wondering what the fuss is about, since everyone already has food safety protocols like the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) and federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines in place.
So why would anything else be necessary? The answer lies in the speed and efficiency of blockchain to track information, especially when it comes to traceability.
Blockchain does not replace, but enhances, other industry programs.
“Blockchain is on top of what we’re doing today,” says Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain for Newark, DE-based Produce Marketing Association. “PTI is the foundation of the pilots Walmart is doing; we’re not going to be creating a new language. It has to add on to what we currently do.”
Charlie Loes, director of technology at Robinson Fresh, headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN, says blockchain will provide many benefits for the produce industry.
“The true power of blockchain and perishable supply chains will manifest through critical mass, which is likely to be some years out. At the core of it, blockchain technology is innovative but not overly complex, which is part of its brilliance.”
—–
This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full article.
Karen Raugust is a freelance writer who covers business topics ranging from retailing to the food industry.
