From soil to supermarket: streamlining potato processing

An Australian processor and packer of potatoes and onions, Mitolo Family Farms (Mitolo), has engaged New Zealand fresh produce software provider Radford Software (Radfords) to streamline its operations across the entire value chain — from soil to supermarket.

Back in early 2020, Mitolo went looking for a software systems partner to transform its operations and prepare the business for more customers and new markets. It was rethinking the way it grew, packed and sold produce — with the objective of better integrating all aspects of the business, improving customer service and finding new administrative efficiencies.

Mitolo is a fully integrated business encompassing seed development, farming, processing, packing and distribution. It produces multiple lines over 40,000 hectares in three states for domestic and export markets. Radfords was chosen to be involved with its onion and potato operations.

Radford Software Chief Executive Officer Adam Cuming said he was delighted that South Australian-based Mitolo Family Farms had chosen Radfords to support its next phase of growth.

According to Mitolo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Sue Edwards, the choice of Radfords for its new ERP system became obvious throughout the selection process. “As well as the solution, what differentiated Radfords was their practical, on-the-ground knowledge of fresh produce and a genuine willingness to help us succeed in our project. To date as we move through detailed design, that has not wavered and we have a high level of confidence in the Radfords team.”

Radfords has been helping fresh produce operators transform the way they grow, pack and sell for more than 30 years. Its software solutions are designed to give complete control and visibility across the supply chain — from soil to supermarket.

‘Relatively off-the-shelf’ software was used to transform Mitolo’s current manual systems and processes across the entire business — from farm management and product traceability to sales and marketing, business reporting and planning.

As well as Radfords’ core traceability and inventory management solution, FreshPack, Mitolo will adopt Radfords’ FreshGrow and FreshQuality platforms, together with its data warehousing and business intelligence tool, FreshInsights.

FreshGrow is an end-to-end management solution, streamlining day-to-day operations on farms and orchards, ensuring input and resource data is captured and maintained in one central location. FreshQuality simplifies the QC process and recording of produce quality assessments, capturing test results throughout the supply chain.

The first phase of the Mitolo project is due to go live in May 2022.