Groundbreaking AI Solutions are revolutionizing the food industry – this is how the sector can learn from real-life examples

Greenfood-owned Picadeli is achieving major global success with its foodtech concept. A key part of Picadeli’s pioneering efforts is its investment in AI. As early as 2021, the salad industry player integrated artificial intelligence into its operations – well before the AI wave swept across the rest of the world.

Now, Picadeli summarizes four years with AI – and sees how its approach can inspire more players in the industry to embrace digitalization. For the Swedish salad company, the AI investment has led to more efficient and sustainable solutions for food. Through smart design, real-time data collection, and its proprietary AI system ArcOrder, the customer journey is streamlined while labor and food waste are minimized.

Sensors in each bar continuously collect data on sales, inventory levels, shelf life, and temperature. This information is used to analyze consumer behavior, optimize product assortment, and automate ordering – all to deliver a fresher and more personalized customer experience.

– We recognized the power of AI early on and saw the technology’s potential to create a smarter, more sustainable food chain. Today, we see tangible results every day – less waste, more satisfied customers, and more efficient store operations, says David von Laskowski, CEO and Group President of Picadeli and Greenfood Group.

Greenfood highlights: Three key gains from Picadeli’s AI Implementation

1. AI reduces waste
   With precise forecasting, Picadeli reduces food waste not only in its own operations but also for retailers and consumers. AI predicts which products should be ordered and helps ensure the right item is available at the right time.

2. Simplified and more efficient in-store processes
   Using real-time data, stores can reduce staffing needs for restocking and inventory management. Consumer behavior is automatically analyzed, eliminating the need for manual insights and decisions.
    
3. Highly accurate and optimized orders
   By combining sales data and inventory status in a unified AI model, extremely accurate order predictions are generated. The system not only forecasts when a product will run out, but also adapts ordering patterns based on season, weather, and local events – resulting in fresher products and happier customers.

Picadeli’s AI initiative brings benefits far beyond its own business. It is also paving the way for a new era in the food industry – one that still faces major challenges in areas like food waste and logistics. By demonstrating how advanced technology can solve real-world problems, Picadeli hopes to inspire more players to take steps toward a more sustainable future.

– AI is no longer a vision of the future – it’s here and now. We believe that technology capable of combining consumer insights, sustainability, and automation will be essential in meeting the needs of both customers and the planet going forward. Those who dare to take the leap and build intelligent, self-learning systems will be tomorrow’s winners, says David von Laskowski.

Greenfood’s AI-powered salads are not only groundbreaking – they are also a popular feature in grocery stores across Europe and the U.S. In 2024 alone, Picadeli bars were installed in 517 new stores. The company now operates 350 salad bars in Germany, nearly 300 in Finland, 1 200 in Sweden, and more than 150 in the U.S.

In 2024, Picadeli also launched a new version of its iconic salad bar – the Arctic X model. Food safety is one of Greenfood’s top priorities, and with its patented cooling system, efficient insulation, and self-closing lids that preserve freshness, the Arctic X is a key component of the company’s holistic concept.

The salad bar is constantly connected to the cloud and powered by Picadeli’s proprietary software platform, Arc Platform™. The system includes features like digital food safety, AI-assisted ordering, and interactive operating instructions –which, when combined with the Arctic X hardware, make it easier than ever to operate a fresh, efficient, and sustainable salad bar.

How the food industry can go digital – 3 insights from Picadeli:

1. Data driven sales
   Sensors and AI can be used to analyze purchasing behavior in real time and optimize both product assortment and promotions. By adjusting the product range based on season, local demand, and current sales data, stores can maximize both revenue and customer satisfaction.
    
2. Automated ordering
   With AI, demand can be predicted in advance, allowing for automated replenishment and purchasing. This frees up resources in-store, reduces the risk of overstocking, and ensures higher product quality.
    
3. Sustainability and waste reduction
   By linking sustainability data, sales history, and real-time product status, AI systems can identify which items are at risk of going to waste. The AI can then suggest actions such as discounts, promotions, or donations to minimize waste and maximize value.

About Greenfood
Greenfood is a leading European player creating healthy and sustainable food that is tasty, affordable, and easily accessible. From Picadeli’s self-service salads and ready-made meals to fruits and vegetables directly from farms spread across a large part of the world. Through our three business areas, Greenfood provides fresh, healthy, plant-based food at various stages of processing to customers in convenience and retail, as well as hotels, restaurants, and catering.

For 2024, Greenfood’s turnover amounted to SEK 5.6 billion and the Group operates in 11 countries across Europe as well as in the US with headquarters in the historic heart of the business: Helsingborg, Sweden. Greenfood’s portfolio includes several strong brands, for example: Picadeli, Daily Greens, SallaCarte, Green Deli, and Ahlgood. Greenfood is owned by Nordic Capital and Fidelio Capital. Read more at www.greenfood.se.

Greenfood’s climate targets are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, with a commitment to substantially reduce CO2 emissions.