A Louisville startup is getting recognized for its innovative product through a worldwide awards program.
FreshFry LLC, founded by CEO Jeremiah Chapman and COO Jacob Huff in 2014, won "Overall Restaurant Tech Solution of the Year" in the 2021 AgTech Breakthrough Awards program.
The annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards conducts a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of agricultural and food technology categories, including Internet-of-Things- and artificial intelligence-based agricultural technologies, farm management, indoor farming, food quality and data analytics, among others. This year's program attracted more than 1,500 nominations from over 15 different countries throughout the world, according to a news release.
FreshFry has developed an all-natural, plant-based pod that extends the life of frying oil by collecting and dissolving impurities, ultimately saving restaurant operators time, labor and cost.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for our team’s tenacity and passion through this award from AgTech Breakthrough,” Chapman said in the release. “The goal for those who seek to innovate in the foodservice market is to gain efficiencies that free up capital, labor, and overall functionality for today and the future. Our mission is to drive impact through innovation, address customer challenges and utilize core technologies to enhance productivity across the entire value chain.”
FreshFry is now sold nationally through its distribution agreement with Sysco and is positioned to enter into five international markets within the calendar year.
The company received a $3.75 million investment from Lightship Capital and Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund last summer, and Chapman planned to use those funds to build FreshFry's sales, marketing and operations teams. Including Chapman and Huff, FreshFry has 12 employees.
“The food service industry is in the middle of a rebound, trying to optimize every aspect of operations — particularly the current labor strain while also maintaining food quality," said Bryan Vaughn, managing director of AgTech Breakthrough Awards. "FreshFry Pods tackle labor shortages while also creating sustainability across all areas of an establishment’s frying operations. FreshFry delivers reliable, environmentally-conscious products that help with reduced labor and maintenance while also saving money. The solution couldn’t come at a better time."
