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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Fresh-Cut Processor Super Session
New to the United Fresh show this year is a program track for the various segments of the produce industry: grower-shipper, wholesale-distributor, retail-foodservice and fresh-cut processing.
The fresh-cut super session kicked off with a presentation from Mick Strongin, who talked about LEAN manufacturing in a food environment. LEAN is often ignored by the food industry because it originated and evolved in the automotive industry, he said. But the produce industry can benefit from being LEAN because its goal is to eliminate waste and add value. Anything that doesn't add value in the customers' minds is considered waste. LEAN can complement other program, like Six Sigma, not compete with or replace them.
"LEAN brings a new set of tools that can substantially improve food manufacturing," Strongin said.
After his presentation, the fresh-cut attendees heard from a roundtable of international processors. Kip Winter-Cox of Bakkavor gave a short presentation on the fresh-cut market in the United Kingdom. Sam Robson of One Harvest in Australia talked about the state of the industry in his country, then Paddy Callaghan of Nature's Best Ltd. gave the Irish perspective. James Truscott of Wild Rocket Foods then talked about the market in the United States with his experience working with Tesco's Fresh and Easy stores in the U.S.
All of the presenters said the economy was affecting their businesses, and consumers were looking for healthful products that are considered a value. That could be a low price point or a premium product that satisfies consumers' needs to be treated at home instead of eating out.
posted by Great American Publishing
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11:19 AM
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