NOVI, MI - The Food Chain Innovation Challenge is taking place November 14 and 19 of this year, and Lineage has just announced some key event teasers. Perhaps most excitingly, we learned that the logistics provider will award a Grand Prize of $50,000 to the winner of its flagship competition.

“Lineage is constantly looking at how we improve the global management of food storage, transportation, and distribution,” Greg Lehmkuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Beyond our own operational improvements, the Food Chain Innovation Challenge is a platform for us to support the industry's most promising talent and innovations. By collaborating, we can develop solutions that not only address food waste but also promote sustainable practices for the long term.”

Lineage’s global competition invites students and startups to pitch their innovative technologies or data solutions that address post-harvest food waste. The event will take place in three major locations: London on November 14, and Amsterdam and San Francisco both on November 19. Relevant candidates interested in participating can submit their applications online until September 30.

A press release explained that participants will present solutions aimed at mitigating food waste to an esteemed regional judging panel. Judges will select a regional winner, who will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and a spot in the grand final event on December 2. One winner will then be chosen to receive the $50,000 grand prize and an invite into a six-month, executive-led incubator program tailored to their unique business goals.

Here is a breakdown of each event:

London

• Taking place on November 14, 2024, at The Science Museum
• Lineage Regional Vice President Clare Walters will join a panel of distinguished judges
• ReLondon and FoodCycle will provide valuable insights and coaching as applicants refine their pitches

Amsterdam

• Taking place on November 19, 2024, at The NEMO Science Museum
• Lineage European President Harld Peters will join a panel of distinguished judges

San Francisco

• Taking place on November 19, 2024, at the California Academy of Sciences
• Lineage Global Chief Operations Officer Jeff Rivera will join a panel of distinguished judges

At the events, participants will be asked to pitch their existing ideas across four specific areas: reducing food waste, food preservation techniques, access to nutritious food, and data-driven insights and analytics.

For more from the press release and for the link to apply, click here.

ANUK will keep bringing you industry news daily, so stick around.

HIXTON, WI - Superior Fresh’s latest acquisition headlines the company’s growth strategy as it continues to bolster its strength in aquaculture. The company recently announced the acquisition of AquaBounty’s Albany, Indiana-based, state-of-the-art aquaculture facility in a move to strengthen its salmon production capabilities. As the company leans into this area of its operations, Superior Fresh has also unveiled the strategic decision to re-evaluate its organic leafy greens production.

“Our acquisition of the Albany, Indiana, facility is a testament to our commitment to sustainable aquaculture and our vision to lead the North American industry in land-based salmon production,” said Brandon Gottsacker, Chief Executive Officer. “This facility will increase our production capacity, allowing us to meet the growing demand for our premium Atlantic salmon while maintaining the highest standards for healthy and quality seafood.”

Superior Fresh is engaging with other greenhouse operators on the future of its greenhouse, a press release explained, focusing its resources and expertise on expanding its land-based Atlantic salmon production.

As the company makes more moves to enhance its salmon offerings, Superior Fresh is also actively exploring future expansions at both its flagship facility in Hixton, Wisconsin, and the newly acquired Albany facility.

As the company shares more updates on the evaluation of its organic leafy greens program, ANUK will be here to report.

WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), has announced the launch of a supplier program within the Learn, Assess, and Benchmark (LAB) platform of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). This will be available to suppliers beginning today, September 9, 2024.

“Currently, there is no standardized platform for major produce buyers to assess the extent or impact of social responsibility efforts within their supply chain,” shared Diona Monroe, Data Manager, EFI. “This new component of ECIP gives suppliers the ability to demonstrate their leadership and receive recognition for their hard work to promote responsible labor practices. Retailers also get a comprehensive view of labor management systems in their supply chains, moving beyond traditional audits to build capacity and assess labor practices.”

Piloted in 2021 and fully launched in 2023, ECIP LAB is an online platform that provides tools and resources to suppliers and growers to strengthen labor management systems and align with the industry’s Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor, shared a release. ECIP is designed to connect buyers, suppliers, and growers in a uniform commitment to improving labor management systems and highlighting best practices across the fresh produce supply chain.

“We are excited about the impact this next phase of ECIP is expected to deliver by engaging our suppliers in new actionable ways,” said Jim Hancock, Vice President of Produce and Floral, Sam’s Club. “As suppliers begin to self-assess their own management systems, it will allow us to better support them and their growers with additional tools and resources, and to ultimately recognize the suppliers who are most engaged in developing responsible labor practices.”

Until this development, the LAB channels have been available exclusively to growers. Suppliers will now gain access to Supplier LAB, which includes a host of resources to support their grower partners to align with the Ethical Charter.

Suppliers will also be guided through carefully designed assessment questions and will be able to benchmark and prioritize areas for improvement, a press release shared. Most importantly, Supplier LAB will enable suppliers to demonstrate their alignment with the Ethical Charter to their retail and foodservice customers.

Keep up with AndNowUKnow so you always stay up to date with the latest industry developments.