Keep-it-Fresh

ProHub Comment

This case tests sustainability strategy development and project prioritization. The candidate must analyze environmental issues using a materiality matrix, brainstorm solutions, and select the optimal project based on NPV, timeframe, and impact—balancing the investor's desire for quick results (ASAP) with meaningful environmental improvement.

Estimated Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Source Duke
50 / 100
Your client is Keep-It-Fresh, a leading fresh fruit and vegetable wholesaler based in Atlanta, GA. Keep-it-Fresh has recently been acquired by a major impact investor, and has been asked by the new owner to improve its sustainability profile. The CEO of Keep-it-Fresh has asked your team to identify the key sustainability issues the company should be working on.

Clarifying Information

  1. Client/Company: Keep-it-Fresh is a vertically integrated wholesaler that operates farms and sells its fresh products to professional clients: supermarkets, restaurants and hotels.
  2. Industry/Competition: Keep-it-Fresh is a top 3 US fresh produce wholesalers, with annual revenue of $300M.
  3. Goal: The new owner wants to keep up the good financial returns, but is also concerned about the environmental and social footprint of its investment. Keep-it-Fresh already enforces best-in-class social practices (wages, paid overtime, health insurance, etc.), but nothing is done in terms of environmental sustainability
  4. Timeline: Investor expects to see any sustainability plan to be implemented and show positive impact ASAP