The Save Mart Companies, California’s largest family-owned grocer, will initiate a pilot program with Afresh Technologies to optimize the fresh food supply chain using Artificial Intelligence technology.
According to a press release, Save Mart partnered with Afresh to implement its Fresh Operating System into select Save Mart, Lucky California, and FoodMaxx stores throughout California.
“Afresh is using an innovative approach to solve problems that have historically been overlooked, and we’re excited to drive results that support The Save Mart Companies’ priorities,” said Matt Schwartz, CEO, and co-founder, Afresh. “The Save Mart Companies’ stores are already leaders in fresh produce, given their location in the heart of California’s agricultural community, and our AI-driven approach will help their stores optimize its produce department.”
The technology company said that Afresh’s system helps supermarkets plan in advance by using AI to analyze previous demand and data trends. This system allows grocers to keep fresh food for as little time as possible, reducing their losses and the amount of food waste.
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According to Afresh Technologies, stores using their programs have reduced food waste by 25%, out of stock inventory by 80%, and increased department sales by 3% on average month after month.
The Save Mart Companies operate more than 200 stores in California and northern Nevada under the Save Mart, Lucky California, and FoodMaxx brands. In addition to its retail operations, the company also manages Smart Refrigerated Transport. It partners with Super Store Industries (SSI), which has a distribution center in Lathrop and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock.
Afresh’s AI-powered solutions will provide The Save Mart Companies’ stores with efficient truck-to-shelf ordering and inventory tracking that reduce back stock, help ensure lead ad items are plentiful and in stock, and increase the longevity of its fresh produce before it even leaves the store.
“Since its inception, The Save Mart Companies has embraced innovation – from distinctive in-store experiences and hyper-local product offerings to a robotic grocery delivery service. Afresh Technologies should boost produce operations efficiency and help support our department managers stock and maintain the freshest product for our shoppers, all while reducing food waste,” said Hal Levitt, senior vice president of retail operations and supply chain.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Afresh Technologies was founded in 2017. Since its inception, its goal has been to eliminate food waste and increase access to fresh, nutritious food by developing the first Afresh Operating System using artificial intelligence technology.