Bake to the Future

What does it take for a baking company to thrive for more than a century? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn sits down with Jesse Amoroso, President & COO of Amoroso's and Dave Marcucci, President of Gonnella Baking Company, two family-founded businesses that have been feeding communities for over 100 years. Together, they explore how these legacy companies have sustai...

What do GLP-1 medications mean for the future of commercial baking? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn speaks with Keith Albright, Senior Insights Manager for Bakery at Cargill, about how rising GLP-1 adoption is influencing appetite, portion sizes, nutrition priorities, and overall bakery demand. They explore how the industry can adapt to consumer changes and what act...

Live from BakingTech, this episode features a policy discussion on the major legislative and regulatory issues shaping the baking industry. From rising costs tied to tariffs and taxes, to evolving nutrition policy and ongoing workforce challenges, bakers are navigating a rapidly changing environment in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Listeners will hear insights on the impact of trade and tax policy...

How can baking play a role in creating a more sustainable future? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn is joined by Phoenix Dugger, Senior Manager of ESG at Ardent Mills, from Ardent Mills, a proud ABA Premium Allied Member. Together, they discuss Ardent Mills' Regenerative Agriculture Program and how the company is working directly with farmers to reduce greenhouse gas...

Why is commercial baking a destination workplace? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn is joined Mauricio Arrieta, Strategic Marketing Director, Bakery NA & Global Accounts at Kerry and Peggy Dantuma, Development Director NA from Kerry, a proud ABA Premium Allied Member. Together, they share their career journeys and discuss how Kerry helps shape the food and beverage ma...

What were the biggest takeaways from IBIE? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn was joined by Puratos CEO Pierre Tossut and Puratos President Andy Brimacombe to reflect on IBIE highlights and share what's next for the baking industry. From consumer-driven innovation to the Puratos' Industrial Pilot Bakery, this conversation uncovers the trends and solutions shaping bakin...

From shifting regulations to evolving consumer expectations, bakers in the U.S. and Canada face similar challenges and opportunities. Live from IBIE, Bake to the Future host Anne Fairfield-Sonn spoke with ABA's Rasma Zvaners and the Baking Association of Canada's Denise Lee about how their associations are helping members navigate front-of-pack labeling, sustainability mandates, trade policy, and...

From the English muffin on your breakfast plate to the cake at your special celebration, the baking industry touches daily life in countless ways, and it also offers a world of purpose-driven careers that fuel communities nationwide. In this episode, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn is joined by Corey Mohn and Nate Clayberg of the CAPS Network and ABA's Eric Dell to discuss how Baking Works is opening doo...

Want to take your commercial baking business to the next level? Discover how the American Bakers Association fuels growth through advocacy, networking, and industry insights. In this episode of Bake to the Future, Clyde's Donuts President Josh Bickford, and Cain Food CEO Terry McCurry sit down with ABA Senior Director of Membership Ben Simpson and ABA Director of Marketing and Communications Anne...

What's driving the demand for pizza and flatbread in the baking industry? Join Bake to the Future host Anne Fairfield-Sonn and data expert Anne-Marie Roerink as they dig into the highlights from ABA's Bakery Playbook: Pizza and Flatbread. From evolving consumer preferences to new opportunities for bakers and suppliers, this episode covers everything you need to know about one of the fastest-growin...

IBIE 2025, the largest baking industry event in the Western Hemisphere, returns September 13-17 in Las Vegas! Listen in as Groupo Bimbo's Jorge Zarate and ABA's Samantha Moore and Anne Fairfield-Sonn discuss IBIE's must-see features, new pavilions, AI-driven event navigation, and more. You'll get an inside look at how this global event is bringing together industry leaders, showcasing cutting-edge...

Curious how a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer used his experience to lead businesses to success? Tune into the Bake to the Future podcast as Pippa O'Shea, ABA's Senior Manager of Events and Programming, is joined by Marc Koehler. Marc shares his fascinating journey from submarine officer to leadership development specialist and his unique approach to "fast attack leadership". Listen in...

Listen in as ABA Vice President of Government Relations Rasma Zvaners and Corbion Vice President of Function Systems Abby Ceule discuss sustainability in the baking industry. They explore consumer demand, food waste, and offer advice for bakeries starting their sustainability journey. With special guest: Abby Ceule, Vice President of Function Systems, Corbion Hosted by: Rasma Zvaners, Vice Preside...

Introducing Bill Quigg, ABA's incoming Chair and the President of Richmond Baking, who shares his family's extensive legacy and looks ahead to collaborative endeavors aimed at fostering growth and innovation within the baking community. He shares his vision to enhance the industry's positive impact during his term and highlights opportunities for member engagement. With special guest: Bill Quigg,...

The newly revealed strategic plan by ABA aims to position the industry as a leader in establishing and promoting a workplace environment that is second to none, fostering growth within the overall category, and enhancing ABA's programs and services to ensure high value impact for its members. This comprehensive initiative is entirely dedicated to championing the commercial baking industry. Additio...

As we kick off 2024, we sat down to discuss labor market dynamics and changing consumer preferences, as well as anticipated legislative and regulatory issues on the horizon. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Rasma Zvaners, Vice President Regulatory & Technical Services, American Bakers Association

H&S Family of Bakeries partnered with Baltimore's Living Classrooms Foundation to create a mechanics apprenticeship program, which aims to support underserved communities and second-chance workers in Baltimore by providing tailored training and guaranteed employment opportunities. Tune in to learn how this partnership is reshaping lives and developing a skilled workforce in commercial baking. With...

National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and American Bakers Association sit down to discuss their favorite brews, workforce development, and agricultural and transportation policies. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Craig Purser, President & CEO, National Beer Wholesalers Association

100+ leaders from all segments of the baking industry, including ABA, ASB, and RBA members, will gather in Washington, DC, this November to meet with lawmakers at the Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit. Hear from a recent "fly-in first-timer" on how to make the most of meetings and why it is imperative to participate. From preparation to delivery, find out how the ABA team will deliver this can't-mis...

Executives from the wholesale baking and independent community grocer industries sit down to discuss how partnership is key when it comes to driving policy. National Grocers Association's President and CEO Greg Ferrera and ABA's Eric Dell join Bake to the Future to discuss hot topic issues such as tray theft, workforce, technology, and more. With special guests: Greg Ferrara, President and CEO, Na...

Kerry, an ABA Premium Allied Member, started as a small dairy company in Ireland 50 years ago and has grown into a leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. On this episode, we talk with Kerry's Vivien Sheehan, VP of Business Development for Nutritional and Functional Ingredients, and Emma Cahill, Global Marketing Director, about ways to combat food wa...

ABA Member Gold Crust Baking Company is a family-owned baking manufacturer that uses 100% green energy through solar and wind energy. We chat with Gold Crust about the driving factors behind their sustainability initiatives, challenges, and more. With special guest: Allen Lyubinsky, Chief Financial Officer, Gold Crust Baking Company

NEXUS is an all-new event for the baking industry powered by BEMA and the American Bakers Association. It will be September 25-28 in Dallas, Texas. Learn about NEXUS and why it will be transformational for the baking sector. With special guests: Pippa O'Shea, Education Manager, American Bakers Association and Emily Bowers, Vice President, Education & Operations, BEMA

Ardent Mills, an ABA Premium Allied Member, is a flour-milling and ingredient company specializing in flour, quinoa, pulses, and organic and gluten-free products. We sat down at IBIE 2022 with Shrene White, General Manager of Emerging Nutrition at Ardent Mills. Shrene explains how Ardent Mills is developing meaningful partnerships with farmers through regenerative agriculture. We also discuss cons...

In part two, we continue our conversation about the Farm Bill: what it is and how the bill's sweeping policies impact our Members. ABA's expert Lee Sanders helps us understand how the baking industry is involved in the Farm Bill's extensive legislative process. With special guest: Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA