ReposiTrak Inc., as an extension of a project with Department of Defense, has activated its technology platform to address chronic imbalances in the food supply chain caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
The online platform, called FoodSourceUSA, facilitates the identification and redistribution of excess perishable food products that are at risk of going to waste due to dramatically reduced foodservice sector volume, to get the suppliers fairly compensated for their products while serving the growing number of food-insecure communities around the country.
ReposiTrak, the industry leader in solutions for stock replenishment, compliance, sourcing, food safety and risk management for the retail supply chain, activated the system April 23. The data generated will be used by the Department of Defense to make decisions on how best to support their evolving response to COVID-19.
ReposiTrak is providing the FoodSourceUSA sourcing platform to create visibility to excess inventory, process orders and deliver shipment information to government agencies that will manage logistics and use ReposiTrak data to help make decisions to support the evolving response to COVID-19.
Stakeholders in the system include providers of fresh meat, produce and dairy products, food banks, pantries and charitable groups serving those in need, along with a network of government agencies that will reimburse the providers fairly to create a sustainable supply chain.
“What we are seeing is absolutely tragic as the providers of fresh food products are dumping milk and plowing under crops while people in our country are worried about their next meal,” said ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields. “The existing food donation networks and supply systems that normally serve food banks and pantries are primarily set up for donations of excess shelf-stable products. In addition to that great work, we urgently need a system to address the perishables sector, where we must provide fair compensation to the suppliers of fresh food items to keep these companies and producers viable for the long run.
“As one of the largest online networks of suppliers, processors, distributors and retailers in the world, ReposiTrak has the reach and ability to bring the parties to the table, and the proven and highly scalable technology to support this urgent need. So, when we were approached by agencies in the government to see how we could help, we didn’t hesitate to step in and help fill the void,” Fields added.
Pilot tests are currently underway in two states as the network of providers and recipients are being organized by state and federal agencies. Plans for national roll-out are also being developed.
To learn more or to register as a provider of food products or as a potential recipient (food banks, pantries and charitable organizations) visit www.FoodSourceUSA.com.
