EmpowerFresh Partners with Karns Quality Foods to Revolutionize Produce Operations

EmpowerFresh, a leading technology company based in Kansas City, Missouri, has joined forces with Karns Quality Foods, a cherished family-owned grocer operating 10 stores in central Pennsylvania. This partnership, announced on February 4, aims to transform produce operations through advanced AI-powered ordering and inventory management.

About Karns Quality Foods

Established in 1959, Karns Quality Foods has earned a stellar reputation for its exceptional meat and produce departments throughout central Pennsylvania. The collaboration with EmpowerFresh is set to enhance Karns’ operations by utilizing AI-driven forecasting and data analytics. The ultimate goal is to minimize waste, improve in-stock conditions, and increase inventory turnover.

“Great food starts with great people and great processes,” stated Mat Rudderow, the president of Karns Quality Foods. “EmpowerFresh provides our produce teams with improved visibility and confidence in their ordering decisions, all while respecting the expertise and judgment of our associates. It serves as a tool that complements our core values instead of replacing them.”

Innovative Solutions for Produce Operations

EmpowerFresh’s platform harnesses sales history, AI-driven forecasting, and user-friendly workflows to assist produce teams in reducing waste and dedicating more time to quality standards. This solution seamlessly integrates with existing retailer systems, offering real-time insights for efficient ordering decisions.

Justin Kapp, senior produce associate at Karns Quality Foods, emphasized the speed of produce movement: “Produce moves fast, and there’s not a lot of room for error. EmpowerFresh allows us to order with greater accuracy and less guesswork, making our process more efficient and ensuring that our department is consistently full, fresh, and ready for customers.”

Collaboration with Strategic Partners

The partnership also includes a collaboration with Four Seasons Produce, Karns’ long-term supplier and a key ally to EmpowerFresh. This integration aligns retailers, wholesalers, and technology around common objectives.

“When retailers and suppliers work from the same playbook, everyone benefits,” remarked Jon Steffy, VP and general manager of Four Seasons Produce. “EmpowerFresh enhances alignment across the supply chain, increasing forecast accuracy, minimizing waste, and facilitating smarter ordering decisions at the store level. Karns is a best-in-class retailer, and this partnership embodies our mutual commitment to freshness, efficiency, and sustained success.”

Empowering Store-Level Teams with Data

EmpowerFresh’s platform is designed to empower store-level decision-making through data without imposing rigid protocols. This user-centric approach allows produce teams to utilize technology while preserving operational autonomy.

“Karns is precisely the kind of retailer we built EmpowerFresh for,” remarked Jesse Himango, co-founder and COO of EmpowerFresh. “They prioritize quality, value their associates, and care for their customers. Our mission is to provide clarity and confidence to produce teams, using data as a supportive framework rather than a directive. Partnering with a family-owned business like Karns, which genuinely values its people, is incredibly significant for us.”

EmpowerFresh is dedicated to assisting independent grocers by offering data-driven tools and AI-powered decision-making solutions specifically tailored for the produce department. By melding business intelligence with intuitive design, the company aims to transform ordering from reactive procedures into strategic execution.

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