Product traceability and authentication solutions provider YottaMark has completed a key milestone in its roll-out of the HarvestMark traceability system with the announcement that Driscoll’s and Del Campo have signed up to utilize the innovative new solution.
From November onwards, premium berry marketer Driscoll’s will distribute HarvestMark traceable clamshells for berries (strawberries, raspberries and blackberries) sold in North America, while traceability for blueberries will take place during the next 18-36 months.
Mexican supplier Del Campo Supreme, meanwhile, will this season deploy HarvestMark for instant trace-back and trace-forward of its tomatoes and peppers packed in bags, clamshells, and cases.
According to company founder Elliott Grant, HarvestMark utilizes a standard produce sticker that includes grower information, country of origin, a UPC code as well as a numeric code unique to the particular produce item.
All product information is contained in a two-dimensional machine-readable barcode incorporated on to the label, meaning consumers and retailers wishing to know more about the history of the produce in question can enter the code at the HarvestMark website.
“Growers control the degree of transparency on their products, but can elect to give retailers additional information not available to consumers such as pack dates, field locales and even which crew did the packing,” says Mr Grant.
“When consumers log on to the website, the IP address is captured giving the producer valuable feedback on his product’s progress through the distribution channels.”
Six fresh produce groups are currently utilizing the HarvestMark system, including: Driscoll’s, Del Campo, Ledger & Son, Highland Corporation of Central Florida, among others.
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