RJO Produce, FoodLink partner to improve services

10/23/2012 6:04:34 PM
Coral Beach

A new partnership between RJO Produce Marketing and FoodLink Online LLC is designed to enable retail buyers to access real-time data on produce inspections via a cloud-based purchasing system.

Inspectors from Fresno, Calif.-based RJO will use a proprietary system on mobile devices to provide detailed analysis and high resolution photos of fresh produce at the time of shipment, according to a news release.

The system automatically uploads the information and photos to the FoodLink network, based in Los Gatos, Calif. FoodLink’s network includes more than 2,000 fresh food suppliers, brokers and transportation carriers, according to the release.

Eric Peters, chief executive officer for FoodLink, said in the news release the uploaded information is immediately available for retailers’ review so they can make decisions before receiving product. He said the combination of RJO’s highly reputable on-site inspection services and FoodLink’s real-time network will allow retailers to see what they are getting on every load before it arrives.

RJO enhances Bird Dog

In an unrelated action, RJO co-founder Rob O’Rourke said in a news release that the company is expanding its patent-pending scoring system. The new Bird Dog Quality Scoring System is billed as a high-tech development for the RJO Bird Dog App.

Bird Dog Quality, abbreviated by the company to BDQ, uses a product scoring algorithm that allows adjustments based on customers’ unique quality specifications, according to RJO’s news release.

Customers establish their baseline, ranking key attributes and weighting their importance. The BDQ score shows them who has the best product based on their specific goals, the release states. O’Rourke said buyers won’t have to wonder if what they are being offered is a real value because they will be able to track information via the RJO database, which provides independent, unbiased information.

Comments (3) Leave a comment 

If you wish to call coming by and looking at one box an inspection, and if you like giving your money away to RJO, then you should use their service.
Reliable shippers see this as a slap in the face. I dont like what they are doing to the produce business!

Isn't it nice how some people take to a news article comments section to make
derogatory comments like the previous one? I couldn't disagree more - the people at
RJO are knowledgeable about markets and know product quality as good as anybody.
A long time ago I learned that there is a product for every customer, and a customer
for every product. As a small shipper myself, I'm confident in the job that we do, and
that we are consistent, take the time to ensure we grow the best quality fruit we can,
and pack a box of fruit to compete with and beat any of our competitors. Personally,
I'm not afraid of them coming by. It's produce, we're sometimes going to have
quality issues, let's be honest with ourselves. I know what I'm selling every day, and
I have built customers for all of the product and all of the sizes. RJO is thorough, respectable and have almost 20 years experience under their belt. Again, I don't
believe their services for the industry and their customers is a slap in the face. They
are providing cutting edge services to buyers, who still make the end decisions.

RJO is a field based information company, providing unbiased third party details to help make more informed decisions. The vast majority of shippers we work with are very reputable and reliable. One of the key components to our program is providing growers with impartial quality information on how their product stacks up against the market. This not only helps them to maximize their return, but it also helps to ensure the right product goes to the right customers. Most grower shippers find this very valuable.

Mr. Anonymous thank you for the kind words. Mr. Prosper, if you ever see one of our Bird Dogs only inspecting one box please contact me immediately, 559-222-7200

Rob O’Rourke - RJO