Marta Baptista, Global Director of Strategic Research and Technology Adoption at Driscoll’s, joins the show to share the core sustainability commitments of the renowned berry producer. Driscoll’s has dedicated itself to the principle of "more berries, less resources," highlighting specific global priorities. They aim for a remarkable 30% increase in water use efficiency, measured in liters of water per kilogram of fruit. This episode unravels Driscoll’s plans to navigate the challenges of...

How do we usher in a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for agriculture? This season, we embark on a journey through climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to explore the solutions and innovations driving change. In our inaugural episode, we dive deep into the world of CSA with Renée Vassilos, Director of Agriculture Innovation at The Nature Conservancy. Renée addresses fundamental questions about CSA, such as the importance of rebuilding soil health for its role in climate change...

Welcome to the final episode of our 6-part series on green packaging. In this episode, we are joined by two experts from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), Max Teplitski, the Chief Science Officer, and Tamara Muruetagoiena, the Director of Sustainability. Together, they provide insights into sustainable packaging, addressing the technical barriers that have hampered its widespread adoption and sharing how IFPA is dedicated to equipping individuals and companies with the...

Wyatt Maysey, Director of Sustainability for Taylor Farms, joins the show to continue our conversation about sustainable packaging. Wyatt's extensive background in sustainability and his commitment to considering the entire life cycle of a product provide a unique perspective. In this episode, he shares valuable insights into the concept of renewable resources, the significance of life cycle assessments (LCAs), and the key factors to consider when evaluating packaging sustainability.  Listen...

Have you ever wondered about the shift toward compostable materials and their role in reducing plastic waste? Join us in this episode with John Paap, a multifaceted expert in the industry, as he delves into the driving factors behind compostables and their advantages. In this conversation, John paints a vivid picture of the current state of plastic usage in the market, shedding light on the pressing need for sustainable alternatives. You will learn how compostable materials offer a solution...

Joining the show today is Jared Cannon, the visionary CEO of Simply Good Jars, a company founded on the belief that food can be a catalyst for global change. Jared shares the journey of introducing salads to a broader audience while enhancing access to healthy food through portability, convenience, and value. Discover how Simply Good Jars is committed to sustainability and recycling as they scale their business, ensuring that customers actively participate in their jar recycling...

Today we are talking about PLU stickers—those tiny, ubiquitous labels on our fruits and vegetables. For those in the produce industry, they are well-known, but for others, PLU stickers ensure pricing accuracy for loose produce in supermarkets. Each sticker boasts a Price Look Up (PLU) code, a cashier's tool for identifying products quickly. Recently, PLU stickers have taken the spotlight as certain European countries push for the mandate that these stickers on fresh produce must be...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of a six-part season that sheds light on the crucial intersection of packaging practices within the produce industry and the pressing imperative for sustainability. Join us on this journey as we navigate the intricate balance between delivering high-quality, pathogen-free products and minimizing the environmental impact caused by packaging waste. In this season, we will talk with experts who are pioneering innovative packaging methods, waste reduction...

In this episode we speak with Max Teplitski and Mollie Van Lieu and discuss the challenges of increasing access to healthy produce in underserved communities. They explore the role of programs like SNAP, WIC, and produce prescriptions, as well as the need for public-private partnerships and technological solutions to address food waste. The conversation also includes personal experiences with gardening and tips for reducing waste. The podcast emphasizes the importance of advocacy for...

In this episode, three leaders from multigenerational family businesses in the produce industry share their experiences and insights on how they have maintained and evolved their businesses in the face of unique challenges. They talk about the importance of keeping up with industry trends like sustainability and technology, while balancing the needs of the business and the family. The conversation is both enlightening and inspiring, offering valuable advice on attracting and retaining new...

In this podcast episode, Jill Carlson from Plenty and Brian Cook from Local Bounti share their innovative approaches to indoor vertical farming. They discuss the benefits of year-round production and the ability to grow in locations that are not typically arable. The companies are committed to sustainability, with Plenty focused on reducing waste and Local Bounti using a variety of logistics methods to get its products to market. Listeners will learn about the advantages of indoor vertical...

This episode brings together experts to discuss their innovative solutions to address food insecurity and improve access to fresh, healthy food for those in need. You’ll learn about Katsiroubas Brothers' use of technology to increase efficiency in produce distribution, and how About Fresh's Fresh Connect program provides prepaid debit cards and mobile apps to help health systems cover the cost of food for patient. Learn about the success of Fresh Truck, a mobile market program that converts...

In this episode dives we dive deep into the ever-evolving produce industry, uncovering the secrets to success of two leading companies and the innovative trends driving the future of fresh food. We explore the challenges of labor constraints and inflation, and how companies like Fresh Edge and Pacific Coast Fruit Company have adapted to stay ahead. We discuss the importance of customer relationships, the use of technology and data analytics, and the rise of prepared foods and value-added...

Host Vonnie Estes speaks with the team at Produce Alliance and dives deep into the fast-paced and ever-changing world of the fresh produce industry. From innovations in packaging to third-party delivery services, the team explores the impact of the pandemic and other factors on the industry. They also discuss how technology has enabled the movement towards more sustainable practices and how the industry can use these advancements to stay competitive and successful. Join us as we uncover the...

In this bonus episode we share Vonnie Estes appearance on the Future of Agriculture podcast, hosted by Tim Hammerich. We explore the challenges facing the produce industry, including climate change, labor shortages, and changing consumer preferences, and how innovation and technology can address these issues. We discuss the importance of understanding consumer needs and the opportunities for companies to create premium products that consumers are willing to pay more for. We delve into...

We are talking with Justin Machell (CEO, Highland Ag Solutions) & Cole Powers (Co-Founder, IntelliCulture) Join us as we discuss: Best practices for producers to manage their equipment lifecycleHow to prevent pest outbreaks, and increase labor efficiencyThe benefits of automating the machine management process Segment 1 - Justin Machell (Highland Ag Solutions) By converting the modern farm into a comprehensive digital platform, Highland Ag Solutions is virtualizing the business of...

We are talking with Lydia Ashburn (Growth Marketing, CarbonSpace), Kaitlin Mercier (VP of Partnerships, Routeique) Greg Gatzke (President, ZAGtech) Join us as we discuss: Developing best-in-class standards for carbon monitoringUnderstanding how to improve and enhance back-office processes and automationThe importance of cyber-security and how to protect your company Segment 1 - Lydia Ashburn (CarbonSpace) Carbon footprint monitoring is especially challenging when accounting for emissions from...

We are talking with Mike Meinhardt (EVP of Sales, Provision Analytics), Karen Long (VP of Sales, iFoodDS), and Diane Wetherington (Founder & CEO, iDecisionSciences) Join us as we discuss: Efforts being made to digitize all touch points in the produce supply chan cycleUpdates on new initiatives to improve safety and traceability Work being done to create innovative technology solutions that support the modernization of the fresh produce supply chain. Segment 1 - Mike Meinhardt (Provision...

We are talking with Kaitlin Mogentale of Pulp Pantry, Charles Swartz of Compact Membrane Systems and Jeff Beegle of mobius. Join us as we discuss: Opportunities for repurposing fruit and vegetable pulp into nutrient rich foodsTechnology advancements to help fruits and vegetables stay fresher, longerNew uses for produce waste to be repurposed in the horticulture, agriculture, and food service packaging industries Segment 1 - Kaitlin Mogentale (Founder) of Pulp Pantry Pulp Pantry is dedicated...

Live from IFPA’s Global Show: Technology’s Critical Role in Local Produce and Controlled Environment Farming A very special live podcast from IFPA’s 2022 Floral and Produce show!  We are talking with Craig Hurlbert and Dave Vosburg of Local Bounti, John Purcell of Unfold, and Ali Daniali of HRVSTS. Join us as we discuss: Networking at a global level at the IFPA’s Floral and Produce Show. Growing customer demand for locally grown produce Sustainability in the food system.The challenges and...

A very special live podcast from IFPA’s 2022 Floral and Produce show! We close out our season on nutrition with a panel of experts with Vonnie on the lasting impact technology has made and continues to grow on for the farming and fresh produce industries. Our panel includes Haven Baker, CBO at Pairwise, Jenny Du, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Apeel Sciences and Katie Seawell, Chief Commercial Office at Bowery Farming. Join us as we discuss: How technology can impact...

The market for fresh and delicious produce is continuing to expand thanks to innovations in biotechnology.  The latest in produce expansion is the purple tomato!  Thanks to Nathan Pumplin, President and CEO at Norfolk Health Produce, the purple tomatoes' nutritious qualities will be reaching markets as early as 2023 and it’s all thanks to the innovation in biotechnology for growing produce.  Join us as we discuss: The health benefits of the purple tomato compared to others The USDA’s...

The limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables is the biggest reason consumers aren’t getting their recommended daily requirements of produce.  With the help of Tom Adams, CEO at Pairwise, they are innovating through technological advances in the farming and growing industries to help expand and increase access to fresh produce for everyday consumers.  Join us as we discuss: Using technology to break down barriers on access to fruits and vegetables  Availability perspective vs cost...

From government programs to private sector initiatives, giving people access to options for healthy food choices is a big challenge.  Thanks to our guest Sam Hoeffler, Program Manager at Reinvestment Partners, the Eat Well program helps families throughout North Carolina not just by giving access to purchase healthy food choices but also provides funding to impoverished communities to purchase fruits and vegetables. Join us as we discuss: The Eat Well program in North Carolina and...

Some of the most nutritious food on Earth is unfortunately some of the toughest produce to grow.   With the help of Joyce Van Eck, Associate Professor at Boyce Thompson Institute, the practice of gene editing in crops is better understood by farmers and other growers to increase production and access to highly nutritious crops.   Join us as we discuss: Plant biotechnology and bringing gene editing to our food Studying plant genes to improve crop growth  Boyce Thompson Institute’s physalis...