13 - The Most Effective Ways to Add Value to the Pet Food Industry with Mesa Verde Trading Company's Jason Rokey

Optics in Action

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Senior Vice President of Mesa Verde Trading Company, Jason Rokey. Jason's role at Mesa Verde is primarily in business development. He focuses on capturing upcycled ingredient streams and developing them into pet food ingredients. His work also involves solving problems and building supply chains to meet customer needs.

Mesa Verde is strategically located in the central valley of California, giving them access to a wide range of fruits and vegetables. These are sourced, dried down, and sold to customers. They have also developed other products, such as precooked milo and sorghum flour, based on client needs.

Jason also discussed the importance of data in making better decisions along the supply chain. By providing monthly or quarterly updates to vendors on demand trends, they can make more informed purchasing decisions. This is particularly crucial in industries like pet food where ingredients are seasonal. With better data, potential disruptions can be anticipated and addressed before they happen.

AI technology plays a significant role in spotting trends and providing data back up the supply chain. By analyzing point-of-sale data, decreasing demand for specific items can be identified and strategies can be adjusted accordingly. This helps to minimize inefficiencies and waste in the supply chain, ensuring that retailers have the right amount of pet food on their shelves and that customers receive the freshest products.

To learn more about Jason's work, click HERE and HERE.

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Want to learn more about Ryan's work? Check out his website at https://www.epsoptics.com/.