USA – iFoodDecisionSciences, (iFoodDS) food safety and process control software solutions provider has acquired HarvestMark, the fresh food traceability, smart contract and quality insights platform from Trimble for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition follows several years of partnership between iFoodDS and HarvestMark including a collaboration in 2018 to deliver an integrated supply chain solution for food safety, traceability, and quality management.

This collaboration was demonstrated in the Western Growers Food Safety Risk Management Program, which was announced in 2019.

iFoodDS said that the acquisition of HarvestMark lays a strong foundation for it to maximize the effectiveness of a combined solution for current and potential customers.

“The collaboration between iFoodDS and HarvestMark during the past year developed into a tightly integrated solution for customers,” said Darryl Matthews senior vice president, Trimble’s Resources and Utilities Segment.

“As Trimble evaluated the long-term success of HarvestMark, the optimal solution was to sell the business to iFoodDS, allowing Trimble to focus on its core strategy to increase farm operational efficiencies in the field.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with iFoodDS, enabling Trimble’s farming customers to leverage an integrated food safety, traceability and quality control solution as part of their overall operations.”

iFoodDS delivers an integrated supply chain solution for food safety, traceability and quality management.

By integrating HarvestMark’s traceability and quality inspection information with iFoodDS’ real-time food safety data, the business believes that the combined company will offer a comprehensive supply chain management platform.

iFooDS sees the combined capabilities of both companies as that which can significantly benefit fresh produce grower/shippers, packers, distributors, food service companies and grocery retailers globally.

“iFoodDS and HarvestMark have a demonstrated track record of simplifying the burdensome task of collecting and documenting process control data, which is required today in the food industry,” said Diane Wetherington, CEO of iFoodDecisionSciences.

“Our years of collaborating have taken our work to the next level by providing real-time visibility throughout the supply chain.

“The decision to acquire HarvestMark is driven by our mission to further enable customers to minimize their supply chain risks and allow them focus on the business of growing and selling food.”

iFoodDS says that the combined solution is unique in the industry as it enables streamlined management of food safety and quality control risks by providing traceability and continuous real-time tracking of food safety practices.

“iFoodDS is committed to helping advance continuous food safety improvements throughout the produce supply chain,” added Wetherington.

“This acquisition is a further step in that commitment and our goal to be a strong partner to companies who work diligently to provide safe and healthy fruits and vegetables to consumers.”