Bake to the Future

Hear the latest intel and action from ABA's internal legislative and regulatory experts about the evolving policies and outlook for COVID workplace rules, supply chain issues, edible oils, ingredients shortages, and more. Also learn a few things the baking industry should anticipate in the future. Recorded January 20, 2022.

In this end-of-year episode, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with Bill Quigg, President and CEO of Richmond Baking about how Bill has been rethinking workforce recruitment and retention. Then, they look ahead to 2022, discussing everything from equipment innovations, packaging, food service, IBIE 2022, and more.

We go behind the scenes of the planning of IBIE 2022 (International Baking Industry Exposition) in Las Vegas. What does it take to transform the Convention Center into a bustling city-like trade show floor? How will walking through the booth aisles be a full sensory experience? What happens to all that leftover dough and products? Our guests answer these questions and more. Recorded on November 17...

ABA's legislative and regulatory experts explain the latest hot topics: COVID-19 testing and vaccine mandates in the workplace, supply chain challenges, edible oils shortages, and high pricetag legislation in Congress. Learn how ABA is telling the industry's story to ensure decision-makers understand the impact of federal policies on baking businesses. Recorded on October 28, 2021.

Karl Thorson, Global Food Safety and Sanitation Manager at General Mills, explains the field of sanitary design in baking manufacturing. He breaks down how a facility with proper sanitary design can improve issues related to food safety, efficiency, and workforce. Recorded on September 28, 2021.

Carrie Jones-Barber, CEO of Dawn Foods, a global leader in bakery manufacturing and ingredients distribution, shares how Dawn is dealing with the pandemic, supply chain challenges, workforce shortages and more. Carrie also shares her personal experiences of growing up in the family business and her passion for mentorship and developing future women leaders in the baking industry. Recorded on Septe...

We are only a year out from gathering together in Las Vegas at IBIE 2022, the largest grain-based foods trade show in the Western Hemisphere. Hear from the two people closest to the action about why they think this will be the most meaningful show in its 100+ year history. Recorded on July 27, 2021.

How can AI help baking companies achieve their sustainability and business goals? We talk with Liran Akavia, Co-Founder and COO of Seebo, about how to tackle this issue, how the pandemic has affected the implementation of technology in bakeries, and more. Recorded on June 30, 2021.

In early 2021, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act was signed into law, declaring sesame a major allergen that must be labeled on packaged foods, including baked goods. The compliance date, January 1, 2023, is quickly approaching. Hear from ABA baker Member CraftMark and ABA's regulatory expert about how the baking industry can plan for the new regulation and t...

Everyone in the baking industry is talking about it: commodities pricing. Don't miss this timely expert-led discussion about what is happening and what bakers and suppliers could consider as we make our way into the summer and fall. Also, understand the legislative and regulatory landscape and how ABA Members can stay in the know during this quickly changing environment. Recorded on June 2, 2021....

In this episode, we talk with ABA's in-house experts Robb MacKie and Lee Sanders about supply chain challenges and ingredient supply concerns facing the baking industry. What's happening, what's next, and what can we do about it? Recorded on May 19, 2021.

We continue our series on Women in Bakery with a conversation with Valerie Oswalt, Executive Vice President and President Campbell Snacks. She shares her personal experience in the food manufacturing industry. We also hear from other inspirational women leaders in the baking industry who are passionate about empowering women and diversity in the workplace. Thank you to Nashville Entrepreneurship C...

Bake to the Future steps into the past to tell the story of two enterprising women in baking history: Dora Schwebel of Schwebel Baking Company and Margaret Rudkin, founder of Pepperidge Farm (now owned by Campbell Soup Company). Hear archival footage and a corporate archivist's take on how they overcame personal and professional obstacles in the early 20th century to build successful baking compan...

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines of Americans, released at the end of 2020, will impact consumer health decisions, doctor recommendations, school meal programs, and more for years to come. We talk with nutrition and regulatory experts about how the new Guidelines will affect the baking industry and the grain sector's future. Recorded on January 6, 2021.

As cannabis is legalized to sell in states across the US, the edibles industry is quickly growing for both psychoactive and non-psychoactive products. We talk to cannabis, baking, and regulatory experts about the market potential, business challenges, trends, and more for cannabis-infused baked goods. Recorded on December 11, 2020.

Fred Penny, President, Bimbo Bakeries USA, shares some lessons learned from COVID-19 and where he sees the opportunities for the baking industry in the year ahead. How does the industry build on the renewed excitement of baked goods? Listen to this exclusive interview to find out. Recorded on December 3, 2020.

The leaders of wheat supply chain associations reflect on the pandemic and how they plan on tackling what comes next: by working together. The industry executives weigh in on everything from trade, logistics, and workforce safety to technology and home baking trends. Then, they discuss the imperative of demystifying the farm to fork system and educating consumers. Recorded on November 16, 2020.

ABA's in-house experts, Robb MacKie, President & CEO, Lee Sanders, SVP of Government Relations & Public Affairs, and Kelly Knowles, VP of Political & State Affairs analyze the results from the 2020 election. What does a new Administration mean to the industry and how is ABA going to help Members throughout the transition? They discuss the election's impact on key policy areas important to the baki...

With his 35 years in cookie and cracker product development, Rich McFeaters knows a thing or two about the baking process. He explains the importance of workforce training at all levels and shares some stories from his decades-long career. Recorded on October 19, 2020.

Akeem Babatunde from Kroger Manufacturing and Dan van der Have from Accenture explain how technological innovations, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), can be utilized in baking manufacturing to prevent bad batches, increase food safety, and improve maintenance workflows. Then, our guests predict what the future manufacturing facilities will look like 5-10 years down the road. Catch Dan's keynote...

With the 2020 Election around the corner, Jim Ellis of BIPAC and ABA's Lee Sanders and Kelly Knowles join us to break down what we can expect this November and what the results might mean for the baking industry. They discuss everything from top issues, the Presidential race, key House and Senate races, and how the pandemic is affecting the campaigns and voting. Recorded on September 29, 2020.  Gu...

In part two, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with IDFA and NAMI's CEOs about what they see on the horizon for the dairy and meat industries: new innovations, health and nutrition trends, food safety, and more. Also, hear how their industries are tackling food insecurity and the school meals programs. Recorded on August 10, 2020. Guest Host: Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association Take...

In part one of this two part conversation, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with IDFA and NAMI's CEOs about how the dairy and meat industries have fared during the coronavirus. Together, they reflect on what's happened the past few months regarding workforce challenges, food shortages, trade, and more. Recorded on August 10, 2020. Guest Host: Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association

We talk with Krystal Register, who leads the health and well-being initiatives at FMI-The Food Industry Association about her experience on the ground as a retail dietician at Wegmans during the pandemic and some insights from FMI's consumer trends research. She shares with us her inside knowledge about how families are approaching mealtime and some strategies for the baking industry on positionin...

Special guest host, ABA's Robb MacKie, talks with Kerwin Brown, President and CEO of BEMA (Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds), about what he sees as the future of the baking industry. We learn about Kerwin's 30-year history in the baking sector, how BEMA members are doing during this crisis, and some insights into how bakers are improving their facilities even during the pandemic. Plus, h...