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                                                                  EXHIBIT (A)(4)

                                  [LETTERHEAD]

June 29, 2001



Dear eMerge Employee:

         Today, eMerge is announcing an important and exciting opportunity for
employees who have eMerge Interactive, Inc. employee stock options.

         As you know, the equity markets have been incredibly volatile this past
year. So much that even the best of the best companies have not been insulated
from unforeseen dramatic movements in stock price. The management team at eMerge
recognizes that the stock option program is a valuable program to employees and
that the overall market environment has left many of your options at prices much
higher than the stock is today.

         In response to this situation, we are announcing the eMerge employee
stock option exchange program. This voluntary program allows eMerge employees
who are not Vice Presidents or above and employees who have not received options
in the last 30 days, to cancel existing options and exchange them for new
options that will be granted no earlier than six months and one day from the
date of cancellation, expected to be on February 4, 2002. The new grant(s) will
have the same vesting schedule(s) as the original grant(s).

         This program is not a stock option re-pricing. A re-pricing would force
the company to take a significant accounting charge and would hinder the
company's earnings growth.

         Included with this letter are documents that detail the employee stock
option exchange program, the possible benefits and risks, and what you need to
do if you choose to participate in the program. We encourage you to review the
material in detail and consider your decision carefully.

         Speaking for all of management, we continue to believe that eMerge's
opportunities for growth are better than ever and, as always, want to provide
the best ways to reward employees for our execution on those opportunities. We
believe that this program is an important indication of our appreciation for the
entire eMerge team.


                                                Sincerely,


                                                Tom Tippens
                                                Chairman of the Board &
                                                Chief Executive Officer