Mushroom Traceability System @ Kitchen Pride

SG Systems is delighted to announce their most recent Mushroom Traceability Software System implementation.  This time with Texas mushroom supplier Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms (KPMF).

For 25 years KPMF has been consistently producing fresh, premium quality mushrooms in their state of the art growing facility in Gonzales, Texas, which has a rich and honored place in Texas history.

Mushrooms grown at Kitchen Pride Farms in Gonzales, Texas get their bountiful flavor and high nutritional value because of the pride and dedication of the Kitchen Pride Growers.

KPMF is the only family-owned, full-service, Texas-based Mushroom Farm in Texas. Firmly established nationally as one of the premier mushroom farms, KPMF is one of the most modern mushroom growing facilities in the United States.

PTI Labeling Compliance

Kitchen Pride had been investigating PTI Labeling solutions for several years to prepare for a request from its customers and following the letter from Wal-Mart to all its produce suppliers, Kitchen Pride was ready to choose SG Systems as its PTI Labeling solutions partner.

Greg McLain from KPMF comments ‘KPMF is a leading supplier of mushrooms to the Texas market.  We decided to invest in SG Systems before the end of the year to give us time to adapt to the new processes required for the PTI Labeling process.  SG Systems advised us on the whole process of becoming PTI compliant and made it simple.  We use them as the ‘go to’ crew for anything related to the PTI.  We went live in September and have been meeting the needs of Wal-Mart’s supply chain initiative ahead of the published timescale of November 1^st.  SG’s experience in the mushroom industry was obvious to us so signing the order with them was the right thing to do’.

The system contains 3 x V5 PTI Labeling Touch Screen Terminals, connected to high volume label printers (2 x Retail Lines, 1 x Bulk Line).  The bulk line (product sold in 10lb boxes) has a scale connected to the software which prevents out of weight specification boxes being labeled.  This check weighing provides a reduction in unnecessary product giveaway and ensures a minimum weight is achieved to meet the Wal-Mart bulk case weight specification.

Jim Butler from KPMF comments ‘SG Systems pulled together the project which involved taking our company prefix and list of SKU’s and creating out 14 digit GTIN’s (Global Trade Identification Numbers).  Basically, we gave them a spreadsheet and they did the rest for us.  This involved setting up all our products in the system, line operators, target weights and PTI Compliant labels which meet the Wal-Mart specification.  It was surprisingly painless!’

SG Systems PTI Labeling label design follows the Wal-Mart published guidelines.  The 4×2” label design features a GS128 barcode with respective quiet zones, human readable GTIN & Lot Number, commodity name, pack size, COO (Country of Origin), Pack Date in MmmDd format, Voice Pick Code (a scrambled version of the pack date and lot number), Supplier Code and Description.

Brent White from KPMF comments ‘SG Systems has a commitment to their customer base for supporting anything PTI related.  We wanted to make sure that the investment we made would be able to meet our other customer needs as they move to the PTI too.  Our Support Plan with SG Systems ensures that we stay ahead of the curve and benefit from their avid research policy.  Our next phase will be to produce hybrid pallet labels at the shipping point and implement wireless order processing.  SG Systems has this system implemented at many other mushroom growers / packers and shippers so we have no doubt that it will be a relatively simple addition to expand our current program.’

For more information on Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms, please visit their website.

Mushroom Traceability Systems FAQ’s

1. What features does the mushroom PTI software by SG Systems include for Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms? The PTI software includes touch screen terminals, high-volume label printers, and check weighing integration for compliance and efficiency.

2. How does the mushroom traceability system help Kitchen Pride ensure compliance with PTI standards? It provides PTI compliant labels, maintains weight specification accuracy, and has features that meet Wal-Mart and other customer standards.
3. Can the mushroom traceability software scale to accommodate different sizes of mushroom farms? Yes, the system is designed to be scalable and adaptable to various farm sizes and production volumes.
4. What are the benefits of using SG Systems’ mushroom traceability solutions for PTI compliance? Benefits include reduced product giveaway, compliance with retailer specifications, streamlined labeling, and improved operational efficiency.
5. How does SG Systems’ mushroom PTI software streamline labeling processes? The software automates the creation of GTINs and ensures labels are compliant with customer specifications, which simplifies the labeling process.
6. What training is required for staff to use the mushroom traceability system at Kitchen Pride? SG Systems assists with setting up products in the system and provides training for line operators, minimizing the need for extensive training.
7. How does the mushroom traceability software integrate with existing systems at Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms? The software integrates through an API directory, which includes compatibility with systems such as Dynamics 365 BC.
8. Can SG Systems’ mushroom traceability solutions handle multiple labeling lines? Yes, the system at KPMF handles two retail lines and one bulk line, indicating its capability to manage multiple labeling lines.
9. How does the mushroom traceability system maintain accuracy in weight specifications? The system connects scales to the labeling process to prevent out-of-specification weight boxes from being labeled.
10. What support does SG Systems offer for their mushroom PTI software post-implementation? SG Systems provides a support plan that ensures ongoing compliance and adaptation to new PTI requirements.
11. How does the mushroom traceability software contribute to product giveaway reduction? By incorporating check weighing to ensure minimum weight is achieved, the software reduces unnecessary product giveaway.
12. How customizable are the PTI compliant labels produced by the mushroom traceability system? The labels are customizable to meet the specifications of customers such as Wal-Mart, including all necessary details like GTINs and lot numbers.
13. What makes SG Systems’ mushroom PTI software user-friendly for operators? The user-friendly design and the support from SG Systems in setting up and importing data make the software easy to use for operators.
14. How has Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms benefitted from the mushroom traceability system? Kitchen Pride has met the needs of Wal-Mart’s supply chain initiative ahead of the deadline, improving their operational efficiency.
15. What future enhancements to the mushroom traceability software are planned by SG Systems? Future plans include producing hybrid pallet labels at shipping points and implementing wireless order processing.
16. How does SG Systems ensure their mushroom traceability system stays ahead of industry standards? SG Systems maintains a research policy to keep their system updated with the latest industry standards and customer requirements.
17. How does the mushroom PTI software facilitate the creation of Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTINs)? The software automates GTIN creation by processing the company’s product list and setting up the necessary numbers.
18. What are the capabilities of the V5 PTI Labeling Touch Screen Terminals in the mushroom traceability software? The terminals are designed for high-volume labeling and are user-friendly, facilitating the creation of PTI compliant labels.
19. How does the mushroom traceability system by SG Systems ensure PTI compliance for bulk packaging? The system includes scale integration that verifies the weight of bulk packages to meet specific customer standards.

20. In what ways does the mushroom traceability software by SG Systems offer a competitive advantage to mushroom farms like KPMF? The system ensures that KPMF stays ahead of PTI compliance timelines, offers a robust support plan, and is backed by SG Systems’ experience in the mushroom industry.