WinCo Taps Afresh to Help Reduce Waste, Drive Profits in Fresh

In a partnership announced Dec. 3, WinCo Foods will implement software from Afresh Technologies, an artificial intelligence-powered fresh replenishment platform based in San Francisco, across its entire chain of grocery stores.

Specifically, Boise, Idaho-based WinCo, which has 129 stores in 10 states, will use Afresh in its produce departments to reduce food waste, optimize produce inventory, place orders and boost profitability.

Benefits of the partnership will also be extended to both shoppers and employees. For shoppers, Afresh helps WinCo ensure the produce is in-stock and offered at the lowest possible price, and for employees, Afresh makes it easier for produce managers to stay on top of inventory and ordering needs. Afresh also helps optimize financials, which translates to more money earned for each employee shareholder.

“Within the grocery industry, WinCo Foods is renowned for its operational excellence and low-price leadership, driven by a strong employee-owner model. We’re honored to partner with such a stellar organization to even further improve fresh operations and profitability while providing fresher food to WinCo Foods shoppers,” said Matt Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of Afresh. “We’re also excited that this 50-city partnership with WinCo Foods advances our mission to increase access to fresh, healthy foods while reducing food waste.”

Other grocers to use Afresh’s software include Heinen’s Fine Foods and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.