The Challenge

Del Monte, a leading manufacturer of canned and fresh produce, faced a significant challenge in its supply chain management. The company’s existing process for receiving fresh produce was inefficient, resulting in delays and increased costs. To address this issue, Del Monte decided to challenge its employees to come up with innovative solutions.

Employee Engagement

The company encouraged employee participation by providing a platform for employees to submit their ideas. A total of 197 ideas were submitted, showcasing the creativity and enthusiasm of Del Monte’s workforce. The employees were motivated to contribute to the company’s success, and their participation helped to foster a culture of innovation.

The Solution

Out of the 197 ideas submitted, three were chosen for implementation. The selected ideas focused on improving the efficiency of the receiving process and changing the inspection location.

The Innovative Approach to Food Waste Reduction

In a groundbreaking effort to tackle the pressing issue of food waste, Del Monte, a leading food company, has implemented a novel approach to reduce waste and increase productivity. The company’s innovative strategy involves transforming unsold fruits into new products, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

The Trial Period

A seven-week trial period was conducted to test the effectiveness of this approach. The results were nothing short of remarkable. The group achieved a significant reduction in food waste, with 53.2 per cent of its unsold fruits being transformed into new products. This translates to approximately 5,000 new six-ounce containers of fresh produce. Key statistics from the trial period: + 53.2 per cent of unsold fruits were transformed into new products + Approximately 5,000 new six-ounce containers of fresh produce were created + The trial period lasted for seven weeks

Employee Engagement Programme

In addition to the trial period, Del Monte also implemented an employee engagement programme to raise awareness about food waste. The programme included in-person training sessions for staff at the company’s North Portland plant. A video about the issue was shown to all employees, followed by in-person training sessions to provide more detailed information. Key aspects of the employee engagement programme: + In-person training sessions for staff at the North Portland plant + Video about food waste was shown to all employees + Detailed information was provided to staff through in-person training sessions

The Impact of the Programme

The employee engagement programme had a significant impact on staff knowledge about food waste. A staggering 87 per cent of staff at the North Portland plant received in-person training after watching the video.