International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 released this document on the Supply Chain of the Future:
November 4, 2024 — The goal of the Supply Chain of the Future initiative is to reduce waste, improve efficiencies, and maximize benefits for all stakeholders in the supply chain by sharing data that is not shared today.
The Supply Chain of the Future will incorporate an open-source and interoperable data channel, enabling seamless information flow from the farm to the store shelf providing transparency and efficiencies for validating claims related to safety, sustainability, worker welfare, and other critical social imperatives.
It will enable just-in-time delivery and real-time information management. We will achieve this by creating functioning tools, open standards, and practical use cases and executing live pilots.
Think of the Supply Chain of the Future initiative as a hands-on, no-BS initiative where we roll up our sleeves and get things done. We will map out the whole journey, from farm to fork, and pinpoint exactly where there are opportunities to create value by sharing additional data about the product being shipped.
We will not be complaining about problems and inefficiencies. We will build open-source solutions that will solve these challenges. Imagine a world where all supply chain roles have access to cutting-edge tech that predicts shelf life, streamlines audit sharing processes and gives them real-time visibility across their entire operation.
We are kicking things off in December with interactive sessions, expert panels in a Collabathon and will develop and document the next steps and milestones to enable the Supply Chain of the Future.
Following the Collabathon will be a Hackathon in early the second quarter of 2025 where we will build the open-sourced tools needed. Following the Hackathon will be live pilots to prove the value of the Supply Chain of the Future. To really make this happen, we need your support.? Whether attending the Collabathon and/or sponsoring the initiative, joining research projects, or piloting new technologies and processes, your involvement is crucial.
The following are the benefits of joining the Supply Chain of the Future initiative and participating in the December 4th Collabathon:
Growers:
- Data sovereignty offers growers opportunities while safeguarding businesses.
- Growers can own and influence data utilization within the supply chain.
- Future supply chain aims to reduce paperwork and data collection.
- Distributed and open nature fosters competition and lower costs.
- Growers can be influential decision-makers, determining success in the digital supply chain.
Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Distributors and Wholesalers:
- Facilitate whole supply chain data driven prediction of shelf-life and reduce food waste.
- Provide transparency and efficiencies for validating claims related to safety, sustainability, worker welfare, and other critical social imperatives.
- Enable total supply chain visibility, real-time decision making and just-in-time receipts and deliveries.
Logistics Companies:
- Maximize customer value and gain a competitive advantage.
- Ensure your data requirements and data deficiencies are addressed.
- Enables the understanding of customers’ customers, differentiate themselves, and meet evolving supply chain needs.
Technology and Service Providers:
- Allows businesses to better understand their customers’ needs and reduce risks.?
- Enables technology providers to leverage economies of scale and expand into new markets.?
- Support companies seeking business models that thrive in the future.
Standards Bodies:
- Ensure the incorporation of existing standards while addressing gaps to foster wider adoption.
- Boost engagement upstream in the supply chain and maximize value.
- Ability to exchange data openly and sovereignly has yet to be fully realized will increase the use of transactional standards.
- Drive engagement in standards by connecting to a wider range of stakeholders.
Collabathon
The initiative will kick off in December at the Collabathon.
On December 4th in Las Vegas, we will start with an interactive supply chain exercise. In this exercise, we will role-play the physical movement of goods from the farm through the supply chain. We will interact with each other and exchange data, which will serve as the foundation for understanding the current state of the fresh supply chain.
Afterward, we’ll break into groups for a professionally facilitated event storming session. This session will help us identify the most pressing issues, gaps and opportunities . It will also show us where we can focus our efforts for maximum impact.
Then, we will have a series of facilitated discussions and brainstorming sessions. In these sessions, we will identify the key players in the fresh supply chain of the future initiative. We will discuss priorities and reach a consensus on how to resolve issues openly, transparently, and quickly.
After the December event, the team will come together to produce an outcome document and a set of recommendations. These recommendations will be shared with the industry and will guide the direction and approach for the spring 2025 Hackathon and pilots.
I encourage you to nominate the correct person from your company to attend the Collabathon and join participants from every role in the fresh produce supply chain.
Click here to register for Collabathon or email your name, cell number to etreacy@freshproduce.com.
