Matt Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of Afresh, began his journey in retail technology with a focus on the persistent problem of grocery stores losing billions each year to food waste and poorly managed fresh inventory. He saw how these inefficiencies—like overstocked shelves and unexpected shortages—directly hurt both store profitability and customer satisfaction. Addressing these issues became the core mission behind Afresh’s approach to transforming fresh food management. 

“I realized early on that flashy tech wasn’t the answer,” Matt says from Afresh’s headquarters. “We needed a solution that integrates with how stores actually work every day.” This insight shaped Afresh into a retail technology company that works hand-in-hand with grocery teams.

Rooted in Reality

Afresh doesn’t chase hype. Instead, it delivers practical tools that bring clarity to fresh food inventory management. The platform offers real-time data and demand forecasting designed to help stores order the right quantities and reduce waste.

“Our technology provides actionable insights for store teams to make smarter ordering decisions,” Matt explains. “It’s about working alongside people, not replacing them.” The results speak for themselves — many grocers using Afresh have halved their fresh food waste.

A Partnership with Grocers

Afresh’s success rests on close collaboration with its clients. Matt highlights that retail teams know their stores best, and the technology must respect their expertise.

“Stores had been burned by complex systems that didn’t fit their workflow,” Matt recalls. “We focused on simplicity and adaptability so our platform actually supports their day-to-day tasks.”

This grounded approach helped Afresh earn the trust of large grocery chains across the U.S., transforming how fresh food inventory is managed.

Business Sense Meets Sustainability

While reducing food waste has environmental benefits, Matt stresses the financial imperative behind Afresh’s mission.

“Wasting food means throwing away money. Grocers want to improve their margins, plain and simple,” he says. “Our platform delivers both better sustainability and better business results.”

Clients have reported increases in fresh food sales alongside dramatic cuts in waste costs — proving that environmental responsibility and profitability can coexist.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

The grocery retail sector faces ongoing pressures — from fluctuating demand to supply chain disruptions. Afresh keeps evolving its technology based on real-world feedback to remain relevant and user-friendly.

“We’re committed to continuous improvement,” Matt notes. “Our goal is to make inventory management straightforward so stores can focus on customers.”

Plans are underway to expand features including supplier integration and enhanced forecasting, always with a pragmatic focus.

Human Element at the Core

Matt is quick to emphasize that technology alone cannot fix systemic retail challenges. “People in stores are the real heroes,” he says. “Our job is to provide tools that make their work easier and more effective.”

Training and support are a priority for Afresh. The company invests in onboarding and continuous coaching to ensure store teams adopt new practices with confidence. “Without buy-in from the ground up, no technology can deliver results,” Matt adds.

A Vision Grounded in Pragmatism

Matt’s clear mission guides Afresh’s path: practical technology solving a real problem.

“We don’t build tech for tech’s sake,” he says. “We build solutions that fit store operations, reduce waste, and improve profitability.”

Under Matt’s leadership, Afresh is steadily reshaping how grocery retailers manage fresh food — quietly but effectively reducing waste and helping businesses thrive.