AND Fresh Pty Ltd, the sole Australasian distributor for Frigga® Data Loggers, has been successful in receiving a Traceability Grant under the Australian Government Program, “Modernising Agricultural Trade - Protecting Australia's Clean Green Brand”. The grant, “Improving international competitiveness of the Australian Table Grape export chain,” is for trials during the 2020-21 Australian Table Grape season. The trials, using Frigga® Real Time Data Loggers, will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the production and transit cold chain from the producer to the end point customer.
“The real time logger system is based on the cellular phone network, it monitors temperature, location, light, humidity and impact at predetermined intervals which are stored in an on board memory until in range of a cellular service, this is then uploaded to a cloud based platform which can be accessed via a PC or Cell Phone App,” explains Allan Anderson from AND Fresh.
Allan has been a grower/exporter for over 30 years and knows the importance of not breaking the cold chain. "Being able to use a logger like Frigga/Real Time Data Loggers enables the growers/exporters to 'manage their outcomes'. This is even more important in these times. In the past if there was an outcome issue you could jump on a plane and check out the issue, but now with Covid you are unable to do this."
The Cloud Platform allows all data to be stored as a continuous record. Users can program the logger for individual requirements, out of parameter alarming and location alerts are notifiable by email and or SMS, battery life is determined by changing recording and reporting intervals, flight mode can be activated for Air Freight.
“The Frigga® Data Loggers are very user friendly with a simplistic platform that allows very easy access. The technology is cell phone based which is why it is easy to use," according to Allan.
The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said AND Fresh Pty Ltd will use the funding to carry out its Frigga® Technology trial.
“This has the potential to boost export supply chain traceability of an industry worth over half a billion dollars. Traceability is about consumer trust and we know trust is an increasingly valuable currency in these challenging times.
“Building more awareness about just how safe and healthy Aussie produce is means more opportunities to export and more dollars for our farmers. Frigga® is also rolled out in other industries such as red meat and mangoes.
“AND Fresh will trial the use of data loggers in a select number of table grape export shipments from harvest point to shop shelf along road, rail, and shipping networks.”
The Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster said the technology will assist the identification of breaks in the cool chain and be able to detect if containers have been opened by the use of light sensors.
“Data will be available on a smartphone app showing graphs and maps in real time meaning farmers, transporters, freight forwarders, exporters and retailers can all access it,” Dr Webster said.
“This is the technologically smart future of Australian agriculture, guaranteeing quality and surety of Australian Products around the world. Technology like this is driving us towards $100 billion by 2030.
For more information:
Allan Anderson
AND Fresh Pty Ltd
Tel: +61 408269285
allan@andfresh.com.au
www.andfresh.com.au