Latest News From Produce Tech

Krystal Produce implements AI for streamlined order processing
Krystal Produce implements AI for streamlined order processing

The company says the move is reducing errors, saving time and boosting productivity.

Where will artificial intelligence take the produce industry?
Where will artificial intelligence take the produce industry?

From yield forecasting to plant and weed identification, experts say the future is endless for the integration of artificial intelligence.

Clean Works disinfects produce with waterless food safety technology
Clean Works disinfects produce with waterless food safety technology

The company says its process uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide, ozone and ultraviolet light to eliminate up to 99.99% of pathogens, addressing global food safety challenges across industries.

Sollum Technologies enhances grower platform
Sollum Technologies enhances grower platform

Montreal-based Sollum Technologies has unveiled new enhancements to its SUN as a Service, or SUNaaS, cloud platform.

Apeel Sciences touts food waste reductions in 2023 milestones
Apeel Sciences touts food waste reductions in 2023 milestones

Apeel says it has significantly reduced food waste and its associated environmental impacts with its plant-based technology that creates a natural protective shield around produce.

Company uses AI to aid retailers in refrigeration management
Company uses AI to aid retailers in refrigeration management

Axiom Cloud recently closed on funding intended to accelerate the deployment of its artificial intelligence-powered module that detects refrigerant leaks without requiring any new onsite hardware or sensors. 

CEO discusses future of automation and data in agriculture
CEO discusses future of automation and data in agriculture

Carbon Robotics founder and CEO Paul Mikesell talks about barriers growers face to implementing technology and the importance of data in agriculture's future in this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode.

AI-based precision crop management company raises $3.8M
AI-based precision crop management company raises $3.8M

Orchard Robotics hopes its artificial intelligence-driven camera system will help growers better understand what’s happening in their orchards and also better predict yields.

FloraPulse introduces real-time water monitoring system
FloraPulse introduces real-time water monitoring system

The company says it has developed a way to acquire data directly from trees and vines, providing accurate, automated measurements on plant water status to agriculture professionals, such as fruit and nut growers.

Red Sun Farms prepares to market bio-engineered purple tomato
Red Sun Farms prepares to market bio-engineered purple tomato

The bio-engineered purple tomato from Norfolk Healthy Produce will soon reach retail shelves, says Harold Paivarinta, senior director of sales for Red Sun Farms.

Company showcases automated machine for prepping avocados
Company showcases automated machine for prepping avocados

The Germany-based Kronen GmbH says its automated, robot-based solution for cutting, pitting and peeling avocados can be adapted and added onto to meet various needs.

EmpowerFresh partners with AWG to support independent retailers
EmpowerFresh partners with AWG to support independent retailers

The partnership will offer Associated Wholesale Grocers members tools to enhance inventory management for independent supermarkets.

ZAG Technical Services recognized for contributions to agtech   
ZAG Technical Services recognized for contributions to agtech  

The San Jose, Calif.-based IT consulting firm specializing in cybersecurity, data analytics and managed services, recently received three awards for its contributions to agriculture in the technology space.

Sorting machines help potato grower decrease labor dependence
Sorting machines help potato grower decrease labor dependence

Luke Parr, farm manager for Michigan-based Sackett Ranch, says the Tomra optical sorting machines can do multiple processes at once.

Companies unveil digital integration to streamline irrigation management
Companies unveil digital integration to streamline irrigation management

Digital farm management provider CropX Technologies has unveiled an API integration with WiseConn to improve data gathering and analytics for farmers.

Research examines intelligent systems to prevent freeze damage
Research examines intelligent systems to prevent freeze damage

A research team at Penn State University looks to use real-time data and an unmanned vehicle to better target heat in orchards during freeze events.

ProducePay unveils Visibility solution to improve transparency, reduce food waste
ProducePay unveils Visibility solution to improve transparency, reduce food waste

Agtech company ProducePay says Visibility gives buyers the ability to monitor and manage produce shipments via a digital dashboard on the ProducePay platform.

Sun World International hails successes in intellectual property cases
Sun World International hails successes in intellectual property cases

Sun World International LLC says Italian courts ruled in favor of the company in four recent infringement lawsuits against unlicensed growers who unlawfully produced and sold Sun World grape varieties.

New blockchain technology hopes to alleviate traceability woes
New blockchain technology hopes to alleviate traceability woes

Brittany Hansen, impact officer with Viiision, a blockchain technology provider, spoke with The Packer about her company’s technology and how it can help those in the produce industry.

Liberty Robotics Inc. launches new systems
Liberty Robotics Inc. launches new systems

Called VPick and VPack, the systems use artificial-intelligence vision systems to enhance warehouse efficiency and reliability, the company says.

Verdant Technologies' HarvestHold Fresh shows extended freshness and shelf life in study
Verdant Technologies' HarvestHold Fresh shows extended freshness and shelf life in study

The study found the product’s slow and controlled release of industry-standard 1‑methylcyclopropene to be more effective in extending the shelf life of broccoli compared to traditional in-room 1-MCP applications.

 Exploring the vineyard of the future project's broader impacts
Exploring the vineyard of the future project's broader impacts

Sean Sundberg, business integration manager for John Deere, shares how a collaboration with Sonoma County Winegrowers on the “vineyard of the future” project will benefit other specialty crop growers.

Sorma Group launches new box-filling robot
Sorma Group launches new box-filling robot

The robot can place up to 30 to 40 packs of produce a minute, an efficiency that can substitute for one or two production line operators, the company says.

How technology can help protect bees and aid beekeepers
How technology can help protect bees and aid beekeepers

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode, Omer Davidi, CEO of beehive technology platform BeeHero, shares how his company’s innovations help maximize crop yields for an important resource in the produce industry. 

Fresh Farms increasing investment in technology
Fresh Farms increasing investment in technology

Fresh Farms says it is also developing creative marketing solutions to help its retail customers maximize their return on investment.

Kwik Lok offers high-performance programable printer
Kwik Lok offers high-performance programable printer

The printer can print on closures with speeds that coincide with the Kwik Lok closing machines that customers already have on lines, says Karen Reed, global director of marketing and communications.

Tomra Food presents new organization, unveils AI-powered platforms
Tomra Food presents new organization, unveils AI-powered platforms

Tomra Food has unveiled its new organizational structure, showcased its sorting, grading and packing solutions, and has launched three new AI-powered sorting and grading solutions.

SpartanNash adding inventory robot to more stores
SpartanNash adding inventory robot to more stores

The food solutions company is expanding its partnership with Simbe, deploying the company's business intelligence solution, Tally, across 60 additional stores in the Midwest to generate real-time inventory insights.

Carbon Robotics unveils new LaserWeeder model
Carbon Robotics unveils new LaserWeeder model

The artificial-intelligence robotics company has released the Track LaserWeeder, a new model of its LaserWeeder weed control solution, as well as a pair of software enhancements.

Hy-Vee integrates Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery
Hy-Vee integrates Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery

Hy-Vee has expanded its partnership with Instacart, integrating same-day delivery into its platforms via Instacart's fulfillment-as-a-service, to enhancing the customer experience and meeting evolving needs.

AgroFresh reveals expanded solutions, brand refresh at Fruit Logistica
AgroFresh reveals expanded solutions, brand refresh at Fruit Logistica

The post-harvest technologies provider shared new messaging, a brand refresh and the latest since its September 2023 acquisition of South Africa-based packaging solutions provider Tessara at Fruit Logistica.

Autonomous ag robotics company raises $11.5M, eyes U.S. expansion
Autonomous ag robotics company raises $11.5M, eyes U.S. expansion

Saga Robotics’ solutions use UV-C light to eradicate powdery mildew in strawberry fields and vineyards. The company said it plans to expand in the U.S. to deploy its solutions in vineyards thanks to its latest funding.

ProducePay raises $38M in Series D financing
ProducePay raises $38M in Series D financing

The Los Angeles-based agtech company says it will use the latest capital to accelerate expansion to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, as well as advance the development of technology and services.

Hazel Technologies names VP of postharvest operations
Hazel Technologies names VP of postharvest operations

Malkeet Padda steps into the new position with the company, which develops solutions to extend the quality shelf life of fresh produce and reduce food waste.

Avocados From Mexico launches AI recipe generator
Avocados From Mexico launches AI recipe generator

GuacAImole is a recipe generator that creates personalized guac recipes using a photo of ingredients or a finished dish.

Agtools to show at Fruit Logistica
Agtools to show at Fruit Logistica

Irvine, Calif.-based Agtools is heading to the Feb. 7-9 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin, Germany to share insights on avocados.

Bluewhite raises $39M to bring sustainable autonomous innovation to farms
Bluewhite raises $39M to bring sustainable autonomous innovation to farms

Bluewhite, an Israel-based agricultural robot-as-a-service company enabling data-driven autonomous farming, says it works with more than 20 of the leading permanent crop growers in the U.S.

Tomra Food launches two AI-powered sorting and grading solutions
Tomra Food launches two AI-powered sorting and grading solutions

Two recent product launches by Tomra Solutions have shown how AI is changing food processing.

Kroger CIO discusses digital innovation trends at NRF Big Show '24
Kroger CIO discusses digital innovation trends at NRF Big Show '24

Yael Cosset, The Kroger Co.'s chief information officer and senior vice president, discussed digital transformation at the National Retail Federation Big Show 2024.

Agtech startup says precision pollination service boosts pistachio crop
Agtech startup says precision pollination service boosts pistachio crop

The company says its precision pollination services help boost cropset when conditions are less than ideal for bee activity.

Agtech company Burro gets $24M investment
Agtech company Burro gets $24M investment

The autonomous agriculture solution company says the investment from Translink Capital and Catalyst Investors will boost its future plans.

Year in Produce 2023: Variety innovation aided by GMO and CRISPR technology
Year in Produce 2023: Variety innovation aided by GMO and CRISPR technology

Only a few fresh fruit and vegetables are available in GMO varieties, but advances in CRISPR breeding technology means more genetically improved foods will be headed to shopping carts in coming years.

Podcast: Why you need to focus on cybersecurity 
Podcast: Why you need to focus on cybersecurity 

You’re more vulnerable than you think, says Eric Regnier, vice president of operations at ZAG Technical Services, who shares ways produce businesses can prepare for threats on the latest "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast.

Fairway Market launches 30-minute delivery service powered by Instacart
Fairway Market launches 30-minute delivery service powered by Instacart

Instacart and Fairway Market have announced the launch of "Fairway Now," a new fast home delivery service powered by Instacart.

Chipotle invests $50M in ag robotics, climate-smart fertilizer
Chipotle invests $50M in ag robotics, climate-smart fertilizer

Funds will help build Greenfield Robotics' autonomous technology into other crops and Nitricity’s fertilizer produced without carbon emissions. Field trials begin for Nitricity’s fertilizer in the Salinas Valley.

Food supply-chain solutions provider secures $35M investment
Food supply-chain solutions provider secures $35M investment

Silo Technologies says the funding will advance its capacity to develop modular solutions for inventory management, freight logistics, enhanced order management, modern payment options and innovative capital solutions.

Robinson Fresh forecasts an uptick in food purchases for Christmas
Robinson Fresh forecasts an uptick in food purchases for Christmas

Signs are pointing to an uptick in holiday produce purchases, Robinson Fresh predicts, with large family gatherings driving demand for both fruit and vegetables.

McCain Foods launches potato tech company
McCain Foods launches potato tech company

Canada-based processed potato producer McCain Foods has launched Presia Ag Insights.

Inteligistics makes hire to assist expansion into retailer markets
Inteligistics makes hire to assist expansion into retailer markets

Joe Garcia, who has 40 years of supply chain technical experience, will serve as director of sales for retail supply chain.

USDA publishes final rule for updates to bioengineered foods list
USDA publishes final rule for updates to bioengineered foods list

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has published a final rule to update the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard’s List of Bioengineered Foods.