An AI Fix for America’s $27 Billion Grocery Waste Problem
Grocery retailers in the United States discard roughly four million tons of food each year, a $27 billion waste problem driven by imprecise fresh‑produce ordering. Startup Afresh uses deep‑learning models and optimization algorithms to predict demand, cutting shrink by 20‑25% in pilot stores. The company announced a $34 million funding round led by Just Climate and High Sage Ventures to scale its AI platform. Afresh’s tools are now active in more than 12,500 store departments, including Safeway and Albertsons.
Are the Bees Still Dying? The Scary Truth Behind the Continuing ‘Beepocalypse’
After two decades of alarm over honeybee die‑offs, the crisis has not vanished. Nationwide data show commercial beekeepers lost 62 % of their colonies this past winter, while average winter losses over the last 20 years hover between 30 % and 40 %. Colony...
How Row 7 Is Inventing New Vegetables—And Reshaping the Food System in the Process
Chef Dan Barber, a farm‑to‑table pioneer, launched Row 7 in 2018 to bring restaurant‑grade vegetables to home growers. The seed company now offers about two dozen specialty varieties, such as the sweet, heat‑less Habanada pepper and the Sweet Garleek allium hybrid,...
Buc-Ee’s Is Loved by Shoppers—But It Got a Big Red Flag From the Better Business Bureau. Here’s What You Need...
Buc‑ee’s, the Texas‑based mega‑convenience store chain praised for its massive locations and high customer satisfaction, received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB cited nearly 90 complaints over three years—including overcharging, rude service and unresponsive refunds—and noted...