Schnucks' new tech alerts shoppers on fresh produce arrivals

Schnucks added a new layer to its tech stack through a partnership with Foodshed.io that will enable the St. Louis-based grocer to alert shoppers when a fresh shipment of produce has arrived at the store, the tech company announced Tuesday. 

Schnucks is piloting its “Fresh Produce Now” alert program, which will provide real-time updates for customers, through the mobile marketing app and logistics platform at select stores in metro St. Louis. 

The alerts will be circulated via the grocer’s Schnucks Rewards app, and users will receive push notifications when a new shipment arrives. Those notifications will also alert shoppers on the source of the harvest and its harvest time, when the information is available, according to Livingston, Montana-based Foodshed.io. 

“We are refining the answer to the question of ‘What is local?’—shifting from how many miles away to how many hours ago something was picked,” said Rachel Wilson, director of farms at Foodshed.io, in a statement. “Utilizing our technology in tandem with Schnucks, we are poised to set a fresh standard and cut down on food waste.” 

Schnucks’ Vice President of Produce and Floral Mike Tipton said the grocer takes pride in working with local farmers. “Our collaboration with Foodshed.io enhances our commitment to delivering the freshest produce to our valued customers,” he said in a statement. “The new feature in our Schnucks Rewards mobile app reinforces our ‘Fresh Produce Now’ initiative.” 

Foodshed.io CEO Dan Beckmann said his company has been working with Schnucks for the last five years and that the regional grocer “has consistently offered the freshest produce, and our technology empowers their mobile app customers to experience it firsthand.” 

Schnucks operates 115 stores across Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The grocer opened its most recent Schnucks Fresh in Oak Grove Village, Missouri, a banner that emphasizes fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli and bakery departments. 

The tech-forward grocer has added a number of new innovations over the past year, including piloting Instacart’s “Smart Carts” in select locations in the fall, launching AI-powered salad bars through Swedish tech company Picadeli in March and installing Grocery TV screens at select locations.