FoodTrust - Connections

One of the most high tech, although not very exciting, pieces of equipment we use to improve quality is called a Smart Spud. No, it’s not genetically engineered brain food. It’s an electronic device housed inside a potato shaped shell that records impacts.

In the photo on the left Steven (farmer - left) and Tony (consultant - right) review some Smart Spud data. Steven is holding the Spud (yellow and red). You can see the belts and chains the potatoes travel across behind them. These metal chains and sides are often the cause of potato quality issues.

Between being dug out of the ground and put into a bag or box potatoes travel over many belts and chains. They can be subjected to a lot of thumping and banging. The Smart Spud is used to identify the areas where potatoes get bumped around. Afterward, it is up to Tony and the farmer to find ways to minimize the damage.

After spending only a few hours making modifications to his equipment, Steven reduced bruising damage of his potatoes by almost 80%. The Smart Spud helped identify the problem areas. Without it he would be throwing away a lot of potatoes.

You can see the Smart Spud in the picture at the right. It is the red and yellow blob near the center of the picture.

I promise there will be more exciting equipment next time.

Scott