NYC Produce Show Recap: Future of Fresh is Human (and AI-Powered)

The energy at the New York City Produce Show was electric, buzzing with innovation, and a shared passion for all things fresh.  The Empower Fresh team had a blast connecting with industry leaders, sharing insights, and learning from the best in the business.

Our very own COO, Jesse Himango, brought his expertise to a panel discussion, highlighting the evolving landscape of produce management.  A key takeaway?  Embrace the "soft inventory writer."  In today's tight labor market, finding seasoned produce managers is a challenge.  The solution?  Hire for customer service skills and let AI handle the complexities of ordering and inventory optimization.

Himango notes that there can sometimes be hesitation in adopting AI because people fear it will eliminate jobs. “That’s not really the case,” he says.

Rather, AI takes care of the repetitive and tedious tasks, allowing your team to focus on what they do best: applying their experience, judgment, and creativity to solve problems and build relationships.

“AI is going to make your job more effective, more efficient, less time-consuming, more productive,” he says. “It’s not going to really replace anybody’s job. However, I will say that somebody who adapts to AI, that person is probably going to take someone else’s job who is fighting it.”

Conversations with attendees confirmed this trend.  Grocers are increasingly turning to automation to overcome labor shortages, reduce shrink, and improve efficiency.  Empower Fresh's AI-powered platform was a hot topic, with retailers eager to learn how our technology can help them:

• Empower their teams:  Equip any employee with the tools to write accurate, efficient produce orders.
• Minimize shrink:  Leverage AI forecasting to predict demand and optimize inventory levels.
• Boost profitability:  Gain a competitive edge with data-driven pricing and promotions.

The NYC Produce Show reinforced our belief that the future of fresh is a collaboration between human expertise and AI-powered solutions.  By embracing technology, independent grocers can not only survive but thrive in today's dynamic market.  We're excited to continue partnering with retailers and driving innovation in the produce industry.