Supply-Chain Management (SCM) reduces time requirements and costs from supply chains to improve profitability and/or competitiveness. These savings are possible through conceptual advances and increasing use of powerful computer hardware and software. The SCM concept is defined, and some considerations of its application in the produce area are discussed. Most applications and benefits have resulted from alliances between large retailers and large packaged-goods vendors. Third-party logistics (3PL) companies offer an alternative opportunity for medium and smaller companies to capture SCM gains.