Harmonized Standards and Smart Data Escrow for Fresh Supply Chains

Strategic Momentum and Key Achievements

tl;dr:  The Harmonized Standards and Smart Data Escrow (HSSD) initiative aims to create standardized data and tools (like "smart data escrow" for controlled sharing) to improve shelf life prediction and dynamic pricing in the fresh supply chain. They've mapped existing standards, identified key data, and are building a coalition to pilot solutions, with upcoming presentations in June and October 2025. They're looking for more participants, especially retailers and growers.

Strategic Momentum and Key Achievements

The Harmonized Standards and Smart Data Escrow (HSSD) initiative has launched with strong industry engagement and a clear strategic direction. This working group is focused on creating the foundational infrastructure that will enable shelf life prediction and dynamic pricing across the fresh supply chain.

Core Mission and Value Proposition

Drew Zabrocki, facilitator, outlined the strategic imperative: "We're not here to create some big massive database or to get involved in people's transactions. We're here to provide guidance and support in adopting useful standards and useful tools to help industry reach its objectives."

The initiative addresses a critical industry challenge, as expressed by Raul Saca, Del Monte Fresh: "Standardized quality measurements would be huge... misaligned terms are causing troubles."

Key Insights from Industry Leaders

Data Sovereignty and Sharing Challenges

A pivotal discussion emerged around data sensitivity and sharing protocols. Mark Buhl of Data Harvest raised important considerations: "If I'm the marketer of that fruit, I have to know exactly where that location was, where that product came from. None of those things can be occluded from me."

However, Chris Latta from Kwik Lok  provided a real-world perspective: "The grower just made it clear, he goes, I have no problem telling everybody that it came from my farm, from this location in Yakima, Washington. But I'm sorry, unless it's an FDA recall, we're not sharing which row it came from."

Technology Adoption and Implementation

Jaco Voorspuij, Co-Chair from FixLog Consulting, highlighted the opportunity: "At the moment data capture is seen as a burden and getting in the way of speed. But if you use the right standards for barcodes... you can implement these data capture technologies and get a lot more return on the timing investments."

Working Group Progress

Phase 1: Standards Landscape Mapping (April-June)

The group has begun inventorying existing standards including:

• GS1 (EPCIS  identifiers)

• ISO (transportation unit identifiers)

• ASTM (digital supply chain standards)

• UN/CEFACT

• DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association)

Michael Darden, Co-Chair from DFM Data Corp, noted: "We have to identify where those gaps are. And to do that you got to know where the ends of the things that have already been produced have stopped."

Smart Data Escrow Framework Development

The concept of smart data escrow emerged as a solution to data sharing reluctance. As Drew explained: "What if we can share our information with anyone without sharing with everyone. What if I could ask questions of the data and not have to possess the data to do so?"

Industry Engagement and Collaboration

The working group has grown to over 40 participants, representing:

• Technology providers

• Logistics companies

• Growers and producers

• Standards organizations

Key Accomplishments to Date

1. Established Working Structure: Bi-weekly meetings with integrated Miro boards for collaboration

2. Identified Critical Data Elements: Beginning to map data flows through the supply chain

3. Created Stakeholder Value Propositions: Developing clear benefits for each supply chain participant

4. Built Coalition of the Willing: Engaging companies ready to pilot solutions

Upcoming Milestones

• June 9, 2025: Supply Chain of the Future Symposium - Vision presentation

• October 2025: Global Showcase at IFPA - Implementation demonstrations

• Post-October: Industry-wide adoption guidance

Call to Action

Ed Treacy from IFPA emphasized the need for broader participation: "If we want to start talking about measuring on the shelf, we better have somebody representing the shelf."

The initiative welcomes new participants, particularly:

• Retailers

• Additional growers

• Service providers

• Technology companies

Steering Committee Companies Leading the Way

• IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association)

• Del Monte Fresh Produce

• Driscoll's

• DFM Data Corp

• FixLog Consulting

• Blockticity

• Kwik Lok

• GS1 Global

• GeoVisual Analytics

Contact and Engagement

For more information or to join the initiative:

• Register for the June 9th symposium at IFPA Washington Conference

• Join upcoming working group sessions