SpartanNash exchanges food traceability data with suppliers
SpartanNash is launching an effort to create a more transparent supply chain for select food products.
The grocery retailer/distributor is deploying the Repositrak Traceability Network to enable the exchange of product data with hundreds of its suppliers that harvest or handle products on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Traceability List.
Suppliers of products on the FDA list are now required to exchange traceability data with SpartanNash and retailers and wholesalers served by the company.SpartanNash selected ReposiTrak for its ease of use, transparency, ability to enable faster and more precise recalls, and insights the company hopes will help reduce food waste.
"From a food safety perspective, there is tremendous value in knowing exactly where each product and ingredient has been before it reaches our shelves and consumers," said SpartanNash VP of environmental health and safety Greg Molloy, who is also responsible for the company's food safety and quality compliance. "This technology enables us to collect and, more importantly, exchange this information for every affected shipment in a highly efficient manner. SpartanNash is proud to make investments such as these as part of our broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts."
SpartanNash seeks to enhance inventory tracking, cut waste
The rollout of the Repositrak food traceability solution is the latest in a series of efforts SpartanNash, which sells a large number of fresh products that carry risk of expiration or contamination, has made to optimize inventory and replenishment. In September 2023, the company expanded its use of the Upshop Magic application in an effort to consolidate its ordering systems, maintain accurate planograms, and assist with merchandising reset planning in both the center store and the produce department.
In addition, SpartanNash is using the Upshop Magic system to maximize store assortments for customers, while at the same time reducing waste.
SpartanNash has also moved beyond pilot stage in its use of an autonomous inventory robot solution from Tally, leveraging the real-time data intelligence that Tally provides to helps ensure customers’ desired items stay fresh and are adequately stocked and priced competitively.
Other related efforts include piloting the Afresh AI and inventory management platform to provide fresh department managers access to ordering tools with real-time insights to support fresh ordering decisions; as well as utilizing the Flashfood app, which enables shoppers to browse deals on fresh items that are nearing their best-by dates
The core businesses of SpartanNash include distributing grocery products to independent and chain retailers, its corporate-owned retail stores, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges. The company also operates a fresh produce distribution network and the Our Family brand. SpartanNash serves customer locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Djibouti. The company owns 145 supermarkets—primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG's Grocery and Dan's Supermarket.