The Produce Moms Podcast

"We have created this content over Zoom and in our home kitchens. It's inspiring to look at how many people are enjoying it, and bringing this goodness into their homes." Lori Taylor (30:38)   Celebrating our beginning and looking towards the horizon.   Eight years ago Produce Mom founder, Lori Taylor had her first healthy cooking demo at a local Indianapolis library. She welcomed ten visitors to...

"The events our American farmers have endured in such a short amount of time with no notice leaves me without words." Lori Taylor (26:00) Seth Karm is the CEO of Salad Savoy. Salad Savoy is the brainchild of founder John Moore. After a trip to Sweden, where Moore was blown away by the enticing colors and flavors of the produce grown there, he returned and developed an entirely new vegetable! Since...

"Eat well. Move Daily. Be Healthy. That's my mantra. I live by it and try to help others live by it too." Dr. Wendy Bazilian (38:44)   If you love snacking, you aren't alone.   Dr. Wendy Bazilian is a writer, researcher, educator, food enthusiast, award-winning journalist, and a lover of snacks. She is also an ambassador for California Walnuts, and is full of incredibly insightful information abou...

"The Do Anything sauces are a seriously simple way to bring everyone to the table." Lori Taylor  (17:05-17:12 )   Do Anything Foods is real food for real life.   As with so many fantastic brands we feature on The Produce Moms, Do Anything Foods was created by busy moms like you who weren't willing to compromise quality for convenience. When Monica Solhotra became mom, she was completely overwhelme...

"Sustainability is the common thread that unites us all in the world of agriculture." Lori Taylor (20:15)   The Velazquez de León Family are Pioneers in the Organic Industry.   Mayra and Daniella Velazquez de León are an ultimate mother daughter duo, continuing a rich heritage in the agriculture industry that stretches for four generations. Mayra's father was the first commercial organic banana gr...

"In agriculture, it's Earth Day everyday!"   Lori Taylor  (33:12)   Happy Earth Day!    In the produce industry, every day is earth day. From the farm to your kitchen and beyond, Naturipe is a golden example of what it looks like to live sustainably, taking care of the one earth we have so others will be able to enjoy it for generations to come. They are industry leaders, and we are proud to call...

"One thing I do know is that this industry, the produce industry, we're unstoppable together. I have never been more proud to work in agriculture than I am right now"  Lori Taylor (27:53)   In the face of a global pandemic, our produce industry is stronger than ever.   Ashley Nickle is the Retail Editor for The Packer Newspaper and Editor in Chief of the Produce Market Guide. Ashley has been part...

How to get involved Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!  Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here .

"Schools are a gateway to changing the consumption habits surrounding fruits and vegetables in the United States."  Lori Taylor (13:12-13:26)   School meals are a vital part of creating an environment for students to succeed.   Dr. Katie Wilson, Executive Director of the Urban School Food Alliance, has a contagious passion for all things child nutrition and school food service. She and her team at...

"Crop One is among the largest vertical farms in the world. Their mantra is the future of farming. Their mission is to solve the world's food problems, one crop at a time." Lori Taylor (1:15-1:24)   Crop One is changing the way the world grows produce.   Dr. Jenna Bell is the Vice President of Nutritional Science for Crop One, one of the largest vertical farms in the world. She leads nutrition and...

"This is plant-based with all the taste. A truly delicious non-dairy dessert… and the best popsicle on the market" Lori Taylor (1:30)   When life gives you lemons, make strawberry lemonade popsicles.   When Julie Podolec's son was teething, she wandered the aisles of the grocery store to find a natural frozen treat to help soothe his sore gums. However, as she read the ingredient lists she quickly...

"What I love doing is figuring out what scientists are doing and then applying it in the field to make people's lives better." Vonnie Estes (4:24)   From Growers, to Packaging, to Your Table, Technology is Revolutionizing AG.    When it comes to agriculture technology, Vonnie Estes is the most brilliant woman that the Produce Moms has crossed paths with. She is truly a thought leader in the indust...

"[Plastic reduction] is being demanded now in a way it never has been before. There is a consumer awareness of what it means to live sustainably."  Lori Taylor (6:35-7:00)   Changing the world, one package at a time.   Andrea Watson, Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador of Nature Knows, is passionate about sustainability, and is using this drive to change the world through packaging. Nature Knows is...

"It matters when you feed your kids to think about nutrition for their brains. Their brains are developing really rapidly. The same way you pay attention to their bones and muscles… you should be paying attention to feeding them for their brain health."   Jonathan Wolfson (23:01-23:33)     Necessity is the mother of invention.    When Jonathon Wolfson, Founder and CEO of Brainac Kids,  began askin...

"Baze is a young, global company, well positioned to make this concept and truth of personal nutrition accessible for all.  Lori Taylor (19:03)   The future of personalized nutrition is NOW.   Allison Baker is a Registered Dietician, the VP of Business Development at Baze, and an absolute superstar in the realm of personalized nutrition.    Baze was founded in 2014 with a mission to revolutionize...

"I try to remind folks that we aren't going to run out of potatoes. We still have 13 billion pounds of potatoes that we are shipping across America and around the world." Frank Muir (7:20-7:35)   Frank Muir has served as the President and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission for the past 17 years. He is leading the charge to help consumers around the world understand that Idaho potatoes are deliciou...

"You took a non-existent category in the value-added produce section to what today is over 700 million in retail sales." Lori Taylor (2:11-2:18)   Crunch Pak is Proving that Convenience and Health Can Go Hand-in-Hand.   Tony Freytag, Executive VP and co-founder of Crunch Pak, is an absolute legend and pioneer in the produce industry. He took a nonexistent category in the value added produce sectio...

"Fair Trade empowers the workers and allows them to uplift their living conditions and this is very important for us as a company."    Iris Madrigal (6:12-6:21)   Located in Sonora, Mexico, the mountainous region extending from northern Mexico to southern Arizona, Covilli Brand Organics was formed in 1965 as of  Terry Poiriez's pursuit to do things right and take no shortcuts.    Long before organ...

"It takes 706 gallons of water to make 1 cotton t-shirt. That's enough water for humans to drink for 2 ½ years." Gina Lee  (6:39 - 6:47)   Gina Lee is the Founder of The UPcyclers Network and is a passionate advocate for businesses that are creating value from "waste."    Gina has over 15 years of experience working in the areas of corporate social responsibility and social impact in the United St...

"Mushrooms are a superfood. They are nutrient-packed with fiber, B vitamins, potassium, selenium, copper and ergothioneine" Lindsey Occhipinti (11:07 - 11:12)   With the gloomy winter months upon us, especially here in the Midwest, we can all use more vitamin D.  Thankfully, we have innovative farms like Monterey Mushrooms who have teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replicate vit...

Let Food Be Thy Medicine with Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Cali'flour Foods, Amy Lacey "Healthy food has to taste as good as it makes you feel." Amy Lacey (25:04-25:07) Amy Lacey is the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Cali'flour foods. When her business exploded in 2017, Amy went from "CEO" of her household of five, to managing the expansion of a wildly successful, and much need...

"It takes so many resources to grow, transport, store, cook, and get food to our plates. When we throw food out, we throw those resources out with it." Dana Gunders (8:10-8:28) The average American throws away around $30 worth of uneaten food every month. When you factor in the food being wasted by restaurants, grocery stores, and other points along the supply chain, it's easy to see how big of a...

"It's the juiciness that stands out with the Cosmic Crisp® apple. It's unusual to have an apple that's just that juicy."  - Kate Evans (16:34-16:42) Kate Evans, a professor at the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University, has been instrumental in leading the University's apple breeding program within its Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. The center is focused on researchin...

"Growers are becoming smarter each and every day in their quest to raise the most flavorful food for us all." Lori Taylor (15:09-15:17) As we wind down another year and look to 2020, The Produce Moms team is taking a look back on our biggest takeaways, favorite podcast episodes, and industry trends to look out for. "We're close to a perfect five-star rating. We have amazing reviews, and when I rea...

"We want to make sure that when consumers pick up an Applewood Fresh apple, they're getting the best eating experience for their money." Nick Mascari (16:04-16:13) Farmers want to farm. They don't always want to get involved in the marketing and sale of their products.  Applewood Fresh works with family farmers to bring their products to market. They represent over 34 Michigan apple farmers, spann...