Produce Buzzers - A Podcast for Lovers of Fresh Fruits and Veggies

In this berry special episode of The Produce Buzzers Podcast, we welcome Theresa Nolan, better known throughout the produce industry as “The Strawberry Queen.” With decades of experience promoting one of America’s favorite fruits, Theresa has become a passionate ambassador for strawberries and the growers who bring them to our tables. Join the Buzzers as we dig into the fascinating world of strawb...

This week, we’re diving into the world of premium, refrigerated salad dressings with a brand that’s been elevating salads for decades—Marie’s Salad Dressings. Unlike shelf-stable dressings, Marie’s has built its reputation on fresh, high-quality ingredients and rich, restaurant-style flavor that turns everyday greens into something special. And joining us today is Laura Radigan, Senior Director of...

Avocados have gone from a once-in-a-while specialty item to a full-blown cultural phenomenon. From toast to tacos, smoothies to sushi rolls, consumers just can’t seem to get enough of this creamy green superfruit. But even in a category as popular as avocados, innovation never stops. This week, we’re diving into the future of avocados with Gary Caloroso, Regional Business Development Director of T...

What will the produce aisle look like in the future? Which fresh foods will consumers demand next? And how will technology, sustainability, and changing lifestyles reshape the way we grow, market, and eat fruits and vegetables? On this episode of The Produce Buzzers Podcast, we sit down with food futurist Ozan Ozaskinli of Value Gene to explore the future of food and what it means for the fresh pr...

Spring is in the air… and you know what that means—citrus lovers, this is your moment. Because while winter may get all the credit for citrus, there’s a little gem that shows up fashionably late to the party and absolutely steals the show. We’re talking about the legendary Ojai Pixie tangerine—small, sweet, seedless, and packed with flavor that feels like sunshine in every bite. Grown in the uniqu...

Fresh produce has always been at the heart of the organic movement. Long before organic snack bars, cereals, and frozen entrées filled store shelves, it was organic apples, carrots, greens, and berries that helped build consumer trust in the idea that food could be grown differently—more thoughtfully, moresustainably, and with greater care for the land and the people who work it. Today, organic fr...

When most people think of Wisconsin, they think of cheese and beer. But it may surprise you to learn that the state is the third-largest producer of potatoes in the United States. Thanks to its unique sandy soils, abundant water resources, and multi-generations of farming expertise, the state leads in the production of high-quality potatoes. This week, we are talking everything potato! And highlig...

This week on The Produce Buzzers podcast, we’re talking pears—one of the most sophisticated fruits in the produce department. From crisp, refreshing bites to buttery, melt-in-your-mouth perfection, pears have range, heritage, and a whole lot of untapped potential for your culinary needs. Tune in to learn all about these most delicious and versatile fruits. If you’ve ever wondered how to pick the p...

With the Lunar New Year here, we’re diving into a season filled with symbolism, tradition, and some of the most beautiful, meaningful produce in the market. It’s the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Robert Schueller. “The Produce Expert” joins us once again to tell us all about the most popular fruits & veggies for the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated all across Asia. From golden ku...

Avocados are no longer just a trend — they’re a lifestyle. And while many consumers think first of Mexico or California, there’s a country that’s quietly and powerfully carving out its place in the avocado world: Colombia. This week on the Produce Buzzers Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Manuel Michel of Avocados From Colombia, an organization dedicated to telling the story behind Colombia’s fast...

This week, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on a company that’s become a major force in the berry world — North Bay Produce. Known for their year-round supply of top-quality fruit and a global network of passionate growers, North Bay has been pushing the envelope in flavor, size, and eating experience. North Bay Produce is a cooperative of more than 30 grower-owners from North, Central, and Sout...

Winter might not be the season most people associate with sweet, juicy watermelon—but for our guest today, it absolutely is. While the rest of us are bundled up and dreaming of summer picnics, the team at Melon 1, the nation’s leading watermelon grower and shipper, is hard at work bringing fresh, delicious melons to grocery stores all winter long. Rachel Syngo, Chief Marketing Officer for Melon 1,...

Happy Holidays Everyone Welcome to a rebroadcast of our very first Christmas episodefrom 2021. It was a good one. I’m sure you will be entertained and informed about some of the most intriguing fruits and veggies that are traditionally eatenthis time of year. What the heck are “sugar plums?” Are they real fruit? Howmany pear trees with partridges will your true love send you on the 12 Days of Chri...

In this week’s episode, we’re turning our attention to a nut that has flown under the radar for far too long and one of the most unique and boldly flavored nuts in the world—the American black walnut. Unlike the mild English walnut most of us buy at the store, black walnuts grow wild, harvested, not from manicured orchards, but from trees scattered across backyards, farms, and forests throughout t...

This week, we welcome a guest who truly embodies the spirit of vibrant, healthy living — Chef Megan McCarthy, the creative force behind HealthyEating101.com. Megan is an award-winning chef, educator, and healthy lifestyle expert who’s been inspiring audiences to eat better and feel better through her cooking classes, TV appearances, and wellness events all across the country. From quick, nutritiou...

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the world of apples with someone who lives and breathes them every single day. Our guest is Austin Fowler of Fowler Farms in upstate New York — a farm that’s been in continuous operation since 1858. That’s six generations of the Fowler family devoted to one crop, one passion, and one mission: growing apples of the highest quality. Think about that for a mo...

This week’s guest grows—quite literally—on tradition, innovation, and a healthy dose of southern Appalachian grit. Kirby Johnson, co-owner of Flavor 1st Growers & Packers, is based in a fertile mountain valley in Western North Carolina. What’s wild? His family’s farming roots stretch all the way back to 1798—that’s eight generations of dirt beneath their nails and produce behind their name!  T...

On this week's show, we’re joined by Kevin and Alicia Stump, the passionate husband-and-wife duo behind Stump Farms, a family-owned urban and hydroponic farm nestled in the mountains of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Kevin and Alicia have built something extraordinary—a full-spectrum farm offering everything from microgreens, mushrooms, and produce to herbal skincare, soaps, teas, and pantry...

Makoto Dressings isn’t just salad dressing—it’s a flavor revolution. From their cult-classic Original Ginger to bold favorites like Honey Ginger, Wasabi Ginger, and Boom Boom Sauce, this family-owned brand has been waking up taste buds since 1985. What makes Makoto stand out isn’t just the flavor—it’s the story. Back in 1985, at a Japanese steakhouse in Melbourne, Florida, diners loved the dressin...

What makes Hatch chili peppers so delicious and sought after? It’s the unique microclimate where they grow. They are named for the tiny town of Hatch, New Mexico, which sits at a towering elevation. It’s no wonder they’ve risen to such great heights in the culinary world. This week, we’re joined once again by “The Produce Expert,” Robert Schueller, who will tell us all about these peppers with a c...

The Produce Buzzers Podcast is the “gathering place for lovers of fresh fruits and veggies!” However, we realize that many of you struggle to find the love that we have. So today we are on a stealth mission. This week’s episode is a special treat. We’re joined by Heidi Herman, author of The Hidden Vegetables Cookbook: 90 Tasty Recipes for Veggie-Averse Adults. That’s right—not just kids, but full-...

This week’s guest may be our hottest guest ever. Nick Masotti is a chef, farmer, and founder of Up All Night Bottling Company, where he crafts all-natural, small-batch sauces with no preservatives. Nick grew up in Winter Park, Florida, where food was the heartbeat of family life, and his love of cooking took root early. He got his start in a Mexican restaurant at just 14, where he kept a good eye...

This week’s episode is all about two of the most eye-catching and taste-bud-tingling tropical treats out there: mangoes and dragon fruit. Our guest today grows both and knows exactly what it takes to nurture these colorful, juicy gems from blossom to box. Our guest today is Dr. Eugene Misquith a doctor turned exotic fruit farmer. He has converted 13 of his 39-acre property in Palm City, FL into or...

Can a humble grower of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers transform lives? One such company makes it their mission. They claim is the secret to their success. Our guest this week is a leader at a fresh produce company that doesn’t see its primary mission as growing delicious veggies, even though that’s exactly what they do and as good or better than anyone else in the industry. But second to that is...

This week we are going to have some more game show fun on the podcast and test our Produce Buzzers knowledge of different fruits and veggies. Stick around and play along. I am sure you will find it informative and entertaining. This week’s trivia game is in the form of a series of multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth 5 points. The Produce Buzzer who answers the question correctly will...