ST. LOUIS — Salad bars are back at Schnucks, but with technology upgrades.

AI-powered, smart salad bars developed by Picadeli, a leading food tech company, are located at 22 Schnucks stores, including Eatwell Markets, according to a press release.

The new salad bars include technology-enabled shielding hoods, automatic hand sanitizer and bowl dispensers, in addition to a utensil mounting system to ensure the handle does not come in contact with food and products are not mixed.

Picadeli’s innovative and patented hardware lets the company trace its supply chain and operations, according to the press release. The QR-code scanning piece ensures products do not spoil, and can call for refilling the salad bar and AI reordering.  

The new salad bars create “efficiencies that prioritizes sustainability through lower food waste, while reducing labor, lowering break-even and increasing profitability for retailers,” the press release states.

“Picadeli’s salad bar is customized for each location, learning what ingredients are most sought after in its various markets.”

Launched in the U.S. in October 2021, Picadeli has more than 2,000 smart salad bars in seven countries.

“We know customers are looking for convenient, healthy food options, and they’re going to love the fresh new experience of Picadeli,” said Ted Schnuck, executive vice president, Supermarkets at Schnuck Markets, Inc.

“With Picadeli’s AI technology, customers will have the freshest food available to them on the salad bar via its digital management and re-ordering system. We are thrilled to offer our customers a customizable, fresh and healthy food option that complements our existing prepared foods offerings.”

Picadeli partners with four leading U.S. retailers and eight leading European retailers.

“Schnucks is a digital leader in the grocery space and their deep understanding of the intersection of technology, operational excellence, and high quality food makes them an ideal partner for Picadeli,” said Patrik Hellstrand, CEO of Picadeli U.S.

“Retailers today are faced with the unique challenge of both a tight labor market and the demand by consumers for a memorable in-store experience that drives traffic away from delivery apps and into the store. Picadeli has proven to answer both, and most importantly solves the overarching food problem in America: to provide healthy, affordable, fresh food fast. We have demonstrated that we work in markets big and small and that the need for fast, fresh food is universal. We are thrilled to introduce Picadeli at Schnucks, a well-respected family owned business for generations, and to accelerate our growth across the country.”