Fresh Takes On Tech

Vonnie Estes talks with Joel Carter, Orchard Operations Manager at Okanagan Specialty Fruits, about implementing regenerative agriculture in apple orchards. They explore how the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program aids growers in adopting sustainable practices and technologies, such as composting, nano-bubblers, and solar power. Joel shares insights from transitioning to greener f...

Explore the evolving world of reusable packaging in the produce industry with Vonnie Estes and guest Tim Debus, President and CEO of the Reusable Packaging Association. Delve into recent advancements in public policy, the impact of European regulations, and the role of technology in enhancing packaging systems. Unpack the economics of closed-loop systems, the significance of data in supply chain e...

Join host Vonnie Estes as she delves into the complexities of sustainable packaging with Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging. Explore how U.S. specialty crop exporters can navigate the evolving packaging landscape, focusing on reusable options and reverse logistics. Kevin discusses the startup challenges of EPR programs and the critical balance between packaging needs and sustainability. He also...

Explore the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging in the latest episode of Fresh Takes on Tech, hosted by Vonnie Estes. Joined by Cory Connors from Atlantic Packaging, they dive into the challenges and innovations in reusable packaging systems, emphasizing the potential of digital twins to model supply chain changes. Learn about closed-loop systems, the impact of EPR laws, and success storie...

Explore the dynamic realm of digital twins in agriculture with Vonnie Estes and Dr. Ziynet Boz from the University of Florida. Delve into how digital twins can transform complex systems like reusable packaging supply chains, enhancing decision-making by simulating real-world scenarios. Discover the distinction between digital twins and traditional models, the role of AI, and the challenges of impl...

Explore the evolving role of digital twins in the fresh produce industry in this episode of Fresh Takes on Tech. Host Vonnie Estes is joined by Erik Larsen from the International Fresh Produce Association, who delves into the definition, significance, and implementation challenges of digital twins. Discover how this innovative technology is transforming supply chain data management, enhancing trac...

Join host Vonnie Estes as she welcomes Rob Leclerc from AgFunder to discuss the transformative impact of Agentic AI on the venture capital industry. Delve into AgFunder's cutting-edge use of AI to innovate VC processes, manage portfolios, and streamline operations. With insights into the future of AI-driven investments and real-world use cases, this episode explores how AgFunder is harnessing AI f...

Vonnie Estes hosts a conversation with Shail Khiyara, CEO of Swarm, exploring the transformative potential of agentic AI in agriculture. Khiyara shares insights on how Swarm's decision intelligence solutions optimize supply chain logistics and workforce planning, enhancing efficiency in various agricultural sectors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of starting with business problems rather...

Delve into the transformative world of AI in the produce industry with host Vonnie Estes and guest Steve Statler, CEO of AmbientChat AI. Explore the intersection of AI, IoT, and supply chains, focusing on how agentic AI can revolutionize food logistics by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and improving consumer experiences. Gain insights into the implications of data ownership, AI standards, a...

Vonnie Estes hosts Seana Day, CEO of Dave Wilson Nursery, on "Fresh Takes on Tech." Seana shares her journey from investment banking to leading a longstanding tree nursery business, tackling challenges of modernizing legacy systems. Discover how Shauna used her tech and finance background to revolutionize the nursery industry, focusing on data-driven decision-making and enhancing customer outcomes...

Vonnie Estes hosts Elliott Grant on Fresh Takes on Tech to explore the revolutionary potential of agentic AI in the food and agriculture sectors. Unlike generative AI, agentic AI autonomously sets goals and executes tasks, transforming processes from pricing negotiations to supply chain efficiency. The conversation delves into how this technology could level the playing field between small supplie...

In this enlightening episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," hosted by Vonnie Estes, the discussion orbits around the transformative role of Agentic AI in the food and agriculture industries. Special guest Jared Helenic from Infor brings valuable insights into how agentic AI can redefine enterprise operations and decision-making in produce companies. As companies struggle to integrate AI into their work...

Dive into regenerative agriculture with host Vonnie Estes as she explores the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program. Guests Nikki Cossio and Kyle Cosgrove from Measure to Improve discuss the importance of implementing sustainable practices on farms, the challenges growers face, and how AMP bridges the gap between farm practices and market recognition. This episode highlights the col...

Episode Summary: In this episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes delves into the significant themes of regenerative agriculture and market opportunities for growers engaged in climate-smart practices. The episode specifically highlights the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program, showcasing its attempt to forge tangible market value for sustainable farming practices. Feat...

Dive into the world of regenerative agriculture with host Vonnie Estes and guest Tamara Muruetagoiena, VP of sustainability at IFPA, as they discuss the latest developments in regenerative practices. Learn about the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers grant and its impact on the produce industry. Discover how California and Washington state growers are adopting innovative practices, reducing ri...

In this episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," hosted by Vonnie Estes, Rachel Blake from the International Fresh Produce Association shares her insights on the transformative power of the Global Intelligence Engine. This episode delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence and the agricultural sector, revealing how technology is reshaping the produce industry's approach to data and decision-...

Explore the transformative partnership between Sun World International and Pairwise as they redefine the future of produce. Hosted by Vonnie Estes, this engaging discussion features insights from David Marguleas and Tom Adams, who share their journey of pioneering gene editing in fresh produce. Discover how innovations like pitless cherries and seedless mandarins are reshaping consumer experiences...

Fresh Takes on Tech, hosted by Vonnie Estes, explores innovations in the food and agriculture sector. Guests Daniel Knauer, Katherine Sizov, and Blake Wilbur discuss their pioneering roles in the produce industry. Daniel highlights Copeland's temperature monitoring solutions for refrigerated transport, while Katherine explains Strella's predictive technology for extending produce shelf life. Blake...

In this engaging episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes welcomes Danny Bernstein, the CEO of Reservoir, to explore the intersection of deep technology and agriculture. The conversation highlights Reservoir's mission to accelerate the integration of robotics and digital tools in the farming industry by making it easier for technologists to access agricultural fields for testing their i...

In this episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes engages in a deep conversation with Karen Ross at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim. As the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Karen offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, climate, and food production in California. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping agricultu...

In this enlightening episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes delves into discussions with innovative leaders in the packaging and produce industry, exploring new technologies and solutions that are shaping the future of agricultural packaging. Starting with Ryan Towry of Kwik Lok, the conversation reveals the intricate journey of developing a home compostable closure aimed at improving...

Explore how innovation in food preservation and sustainable packaging is transforming the produce industry. Vonnie Estes engages with Joaquin Fisch of NAT4Bio on developing biological solutions for post-harvest preservation using natural polymers. Discover their strategies for extending fresh food shelf-life and adapting to different crops. Later, Jerold Zwas from PakItGreen shares insights into c...

Explore innovative strides in sustainable packaging and post-harvest solutions with Alyssa Pace from Sway and Anthony Zografos of Akorn Technology. Discover Sway’s groundbreaking use of seaweed for compostable packaging, tackling plastic waste in fresh produce. Learn about Akorn’s all-natural, chemical-free coatings enhancing produce shelf life while reducing waste, aligning with evolving consumer...

Explore the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging in the fresh produce industry with insights from Wyatt Maysey of Taylor Fresh Foods and Nate Klingler of IFCO. Delve into the pressures and innovations shaping packaging decisions, from regulatory impacts and material selection to technology’s role in optimizing sustainability. Discover how industry leaders are navigating extended producer re...

Join host Vonnie Estes as she delves into the evolving landscape of sustainability in fresh produce packaging with Wyatt Maysey, Director of Sustainability at Taylor Farms. This episode explores the influence of regulatory changes, technological advancements, and consumer demands on packaging solutions. Discover the challenges of transitioning to sustainable materials, the importance of data-drive...