Albertsons Companies has launched an AI-powered supply chain tool designed to help distribution center inspectors maintain tighter quality control over fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Intelligent Quality Control tool, built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise (including Vision AI and Gemini models) to support quality inspectors. The system allows an inspector to feed an image of produce into the tool, which then evaluates visual characteristics against the company’s established quality standards and provides a rating and recommendation for the inspector to approve.
“We built the AI-powered Intelligent Quality Control tool to support our team of talented quality inspectors in our distribution centers, and early results show it’s been incredibly helpful in increasing the consistency of quality rating which is crucial for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables,” said Evan Rainwater, EVP and chief supply chain officer for Albertsons Cos.
“This is just the latest advancement in how we are using AI within our multi-billion-dollar supply chain to improve operational efficiencies, improve product quality and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction.”
Currently live in select Albertsons distribution centers, the tool is initially focused on strawberries and red and green grapes. The company said it is expanding the solution across the entire berry section and plans to scale the tool nationwide to include more fresh products.
Early results have shown operational improvements including:
- Increased rating consistency: Reduced variability in quality ratings among different inspectors and shifts.
- Faster decision-making: Automated scoring speeds inspection, helping get food to stores more quickly.
- Expanded quality data: Captures multiple measures of quality for ongoing analysis.
- Alignment with standards: Applies internal quality criteria with high consistency.
“This collaboration with Albertsons Cos. demonstrates the transformative power of applying advanced AI, like Vision AI and Gemini, to the core of the supply chain,” said Jose Gomes, VP of retail and consumer packaged goods, Google Cloud.
“Ensuring quality consistency for fresh produce is a complex, logistical challenge. By advising on this intelligent component, we are helping Albertsons Cos. drive efficiency and, most importantly, deliver on their promise of fresh, high-quality food to their customers.”
The produce-quality tool builds on a longer relationship between Albertsons and Google Cloud. In 2025, Albertsons was among the first retailers to bring Google Cloud’s Conversational Commerce agent to market through its Ask AI tool, helping customers build baskets faster via product discovery and personalized recommendations.
About Albertsons Cos.
As of Feb. 28, Albertsons operated 2,244 retail stores with 1,713 in-store pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities across 35 states and Washington, D.C., under banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market.
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