Fresh Takes On Tech

Explore the future of agriculture amidst regulatory shifts as Vonnie Estes discusses the impact of the new U.S. administration on pesticides and crop protection with Paul Lewis, VP of Food Safety Standards at the International Fresh Produce Association. Delve into the complexities of regulatory influences, the promise of gene editing, and the rising role of biologicals in the produce industry. Dis...

Join host Vonnie Estes and Dr. Linda Lee, an environmental chemistry expert from Purdue, as they delve into the world of PFAS chemicals. This episode demystifies the “forever chemicals,” exploring their impact on food, especially produce, and potential health risks. Understand the widespread presence of PFAS through products and the environment, and learn about ongoing efforts to manage their...

Explore the invisible threats in our food with Vonnie Estes and Wendalyn Jones, CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences. Delve into the world of microplastics, PFAS, and heavy metals, their presence in produce, and implications for health and agriculture. Wendlyn separates science from hype, discusses regulatory perspectives, and emphasizes transparency and collabor...

Explore the pivotal intersection of science, agriculture, and policy with Vonnie Estes and policy expert Rebeckah F. Adcock as they discuss the produce industry’s future. Delve into how science influences policy, technological advancements, and climate change impacts. Understand the challenges of agricultural labor and the importance of civic engagement. Rebeckah offers insights on leveraging scie...

Description: Vonnie Estes sits down with three innovators transforming how agriculture manages energy, water, and disease detection. Michael Salvador, co-founder and CEO of Mirai Solar, discusses how photovoltaic shading systems generate clean energy while protecting crops from excessive sunlight. Sarah Placella, founder and CEO of Root Applied Sciences, shares how their airborne pathogen detectio...

Description:  Vonnie Estes explores how data, financing, and AI-driven solutions are transforming the fresh produce industry with insights from three pioneering companies. David Kat of Neolithics discusses how hyperspectral imaging is enabling non-destructive analysis of fruits and vegetables, reducing food waste, and improving quality control. Pat McCullough from ProducePay shares how technology...

Description: In this episode, Vonnie Estes explores innovations in extending produce shelf life with leaders from three pioneering companies. Rodrigo Cifuentes and Bradford Warner from AgroFresh discuss their SmartFresh and FreshCloud technologies, which use sensing and digital solutions to maintain quality and reduce waste. Agustin Büchert from ClearLeaf introduces a silver-based antimicrobial so...

Description: Vonnie Estes welcomes Nathan Dorn, VP of Business Development for Farm-ng, and Alex Gutierrez, Founder of L5 Robotics, to explore the transformative role of robotics in agriculture. Nathan discusses Farm-ng’s development of small electric robotic tractors that support farming tasks such as data collection, weeding, and harvesting, while also empowering students and researchers with ha...

Description: This episode features two innovative companies addressing critical agricultural challenges. Stephanie Gamez, Director of R&D at AgraGene, introduces their gene-editing technology designed to combat Drosophila suzukii, an invasive pest devastating small fruit crops. Using sterile insect techniques, AgraGene offers growers an environmentally friendly, sustainable alternative to chem...

How can the fresh produce industry reduce its environmental footprint through innovative packaging? Jenny Panziera, VP of Operations at Taylor Farms, joins the show to discuss how Taylor Farms is leading the way in redefining sustainable packaging with plant-based solutions. Jenny shares insights into how the company balances operational efficiency with eco-friendly practices, focusing on reducing...

How can we significantly reduce food waste and improve the shelf life of produce? Jenny Du, Co-Founder & VP of Operations at Apeel Sciences, joins the show to discuss how Apeel's innovative product slows the rate at which produce spoils. By maintaining moisture and reducing oxidation, Apeel enhances the plant’s natural protective abilities. You'll learn how Apeel adds a microscopic extra layer...

What are the benefits of using reusable packaging versus traditional single-use packaging? Join us as Tim Debus, President & CEO of the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), explores this crucial question. RPA is a nonprofit trade organization that promotes the common and pro-competitive interests of member suppliers and users of reusable packaging products and services. In this episode, you'l...

What can we learn from a company that supplies premium quality kiwi to over 50 markets worldwide? Today, Rachel Depree, Executive Officer of Sustainability at Zespri, joins the show to share insights from her role at a company that manages 30% of the global volume of kiwis. Learn about Zespri's unique financial relationship with their growers, Rachel's journey to her current position, and how she...

Today Garland Perkins, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy), shares insights into the challenges and solutions surrounding sustainable packaging. Learn about the importance of balancing product protection with environmental considerations and why simply eliminating plastic isn't necessarily the answer. Garland explains how Oppy collaborates with suppliers, reta...

How can cutting-edge technology revolutionize packaging for fresh produce? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Po-Yen Chen, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, to explore how his lab is leveraging AI and flexible robotic technologies to discover and develop new functional materials. By implementing active learning frameworks with robot-aided experiments, Po-Yen’s team is construct...

Are you passionate about fresh, healthy produce and a cleaner planet? In this first episode of our six-part series, we highlight the vital connection between packaging practices in the produce industry and the urgent need for sustainability. We'll explore the delicate balance between ensuring top-quality, pathogen-free products and reducing the environmental footprint left by packaging waste. Max...

Today we're joined by Peter Wells, Chief Strategy Director at Elevated Foods, who shares insights into the company's innovative approach to agriculture. Discover how Elevated Foods measures success with new sustainability practices and how the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant has impacted them. Listen in as Peter delves into the challenges faced by family farms and the impor...

What does it take to transform a leading agricultural company into a beacon of sustainability? In this episode, we talk with Wiam Haddad, Systems Ecologist at ZZ2, a renowned agricultural company in South Africa committed to environmental stewardship. Join us as we explore ZZ2's journey towards climate-smart agriculture, delving into the strategies, challenges, and successes they've encountered al...

Today we sit down with Steven Cardoza, Owner of Cardoza & Cardoza Farming Company, as he shares his family's remarkable transition to organic and regenerative ag. Discover why they made the switch to organic farming back in 1998 and how embracing regenerative practices has revolutionized their approach to agriculture. From enhanced soil health to increased yield and quality, Steven explains th...

What is the future of crop protection? Join us as we sit down with Ben Cicora, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Vestaron, to explore the game-changing innovations in agriculture. Discover how Vestaron is leading the charge with peptide-based technologies, addressing pest issues and resistance problems while prioritizing safety and sustainability in the face of climate change. In this conversati...

How crucial is it for businesses to integrate sustainability practices into their operations? Today, we're joined by Nikki Cossio, Kyle Cosgrove, and Gabe Worthington from Measure to Improve to explore the significance of their partnership with IFPA on the climate-smart commodities grant. As pioneers in building successful sustainability programs, they shed light on why sustainability has become i...

In our milestone 100th episode, we're diving deep into the realm of climate-smart agriculture, a pivotal topic shaping the future of farming. Joining us are Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association, and Drew Zabrocki, Managing Partner at TOTEM LTD. Together, we explore IFPA's ambitious climate-smart program, diving into its current status, anticipated out...

Unlock the secrets of innovation and success in the produce industry with today's power-packed lineup! Join us as we dive into the world of cutting-edge technology and data solutions with Greg Gatzke and Thuan Ngo from ZAG Technical Services, Inc. Discover how their accelerated business growth strategies are reshaping the technological landscape and propelling the industry into the future. Next up...

We're diving into the cutting-edge world of AgTech with a double feature in today's episode with two industry pioneers who are shaping the future. First up is Walt Duflock, VP of Innovation at Western Growers, a true trailblazer in the AgTech startup scene. Following Walt, we're honored to hear from Melissa Ackerman, CEO of Planet Harvest, on a mission to revolutionize the produce supply chain and...

Take a look into the ever-evolving fresh produce industry in this episode featuring Andrew Kennedy, Co-Founder of New Era Partners, and Jeff Butler, General Manager of Silo Capital. Andrew shares his unique journey transitioning from the FDA to the private sector, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities of traceability in the food industry. From there, we delve into the world of Si...