The Buyer's Desk

This episode is brought to you by Olipop. It's Independent Retailer Month, and Pat and Jim are celebrating what makes independent retailers such a powerful force in their communities and across the industry. Tune in as they explore the unique balance between independence and interdependence, sharing how retailers can stay true to their values while leveraging the strength of collaboration. Plus, g...

Join Pat on this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk for an inspiring conversation with Megan Westgate, Founder, CEO and Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project and the Food Integrity Collective. Megan unpacks how independent retailers have been major catalysts in improving food integrity since the early days of the natural foods movement, and how they can continue to lead as concerns around ultr...

In this week’s episode, Angela and Jim chat about exciting changes to the SPINS platform. With their new industry-trained AI tool, SPINS Intelligence, retailers can get quick snapshots of data insights and broad overviews without getting in the weeds with the data. Plus, tune in for an in-depth conversation exploring AI’s environmental impacts and the necessity of both artificial and human intelli...

This episode is brought to you by Better Sour. This week on The Buyer’s Desk, we're diving into a hot topic; the "re-rise" of dairy. In recent years, we've seen plant-based losing popularity, replaced with traditional dairy products like premium butters, raw milk, and yogurts. What's going on with this category, and what does it mean for independent retailers? Jim and Promotional Programs Manager...

This week, we’re replaying our conversation with Michele Marchetti, Deputy Director of The Cornucopia Institute. As a non-profit consumer education and watchdog organization, The Cornucopia Institute helps consumers understand the value of shopping independent and organic. Join us for a deep dive into their Independent Organic Brand List – a tool that makes it easier for retailers to help their co...

This episode is brought to you by Recess. Part 2 of our backstock conversation with natural foods icon and nutritionist Marion Nestle is here! Nestle shares her perspective on the importance of dietary variety and the enduring power of moderation in building healthy eating patterns. We also explore today’s trending topics, including the resurgence of beef tallow, the ongoing debate around seed oil...

This episode is brought to you by JonnyPops. In this week's backstock episode, we’re revisiting the beginning of our two-part series with natural foods icon and nutritionist, Marion Nestle. Join us as we explore the complexities of nutrition science, the evolution of natural foods marketing, and the importance of empowering consumers to make informed choices. Plus, learn more about how independent...

This episode is brought to you by Chomps. In this week’s backstock episode, we're running back our conversation with Coleen Noel, INFRA board member and the owner of Diane’s Natural Market and Sunflower Health Foods in FL. Hear more about her journey from corporate life into the heart of the natural foods industry! In this inspiring episode, Coleen shares what drew her to becoming a business owner...

This episode is presented to you by JonnyPops. In this week’s Buyers Desk Backstock episode, we’re going back into the archives to revisit our conversation with Mark Squire, Owner of Good Earth Natural Foods and long-time advocate for regenerative organic farming practices. He touches on his buying strategies, how he discerns quality product despite the marketing noise, how the organic landscape h...

This episode is brought to you by Poppi. In this Buyer’s Desk Backstock episode, we’re revisiting Angela’s conversation with Kristine and Richard from Regenified, a certification company championing regenerative agriculture and animal welfare. They highlight how farmers, retailers, and consumers alike can build a more regenerative food system, and how Regenified creates an important starting point...

Who is INFRA? This week, we’re taking things back to basics and reintroducing ourselves! Tune in for a brief refresher on INFRA’s 3 pillars; purchasing power, operational excellence, and peer support, and learn more about how we leverage the collective strength of our cooperative to open new doors for independent natural food retailers across the country. From our cornerstone promotional programs...

In this week’s episode, we’re discussing everything THC and hemp with our friends from Cornbread Hemp! Angela sits down with Co-Founder Jim Higdon and Natural Channel Director & Educator Andrea McGrath to explore Cornbread’s approach to education, how their commitment to organic certification has impacted their goal of creating t...

This episode is brought to you by Chomps.  In this week’s episode, the dynamic Kim and Jim combo dive into the state of hemp and THC in the natural foods space. THC waters and sparkling waters are up 68% compared to last year, and sales are up 105% across INFRA. And yet, cannabis seems to face an uphill battle. From the ups and downs of legal...

In this episode, SPINS Senior Retail Insights Manager Jim talks with Kristy Lewis, Founder of Quinn Snacks, about how Quinn is redefining the gluten-free pretzel category with a commitment to taste, food ethics, quality. From its early days as a clean microwavable popcorn brand to its current work with regenerative grains, Quinn continues to push boundaries, creating snacks that are as purposeful...

In this episode, Irene Rojas Stanbury shares her journey from founding a wellness beverage company to creating Season 34, a groundbreaking menopausal health brand. Discover how a personal health experience sparked a mission to create targeted, clinically validated products that address the diverse symptoms of menopause with an emphasis on intentional ingredient formulation. 

This episode is brought to you by Better Sour.  In this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk, Kim interviews Betsy Frost, CEO of beverage brand Q Mixers. Betsy shares her journey through leadership transitions, innovations in premium mixers, and the future of beverage categories blending alcohol, N/A, and functional drinks. Whether you’re a buyer, brand owner,...

This episode is brought to you by PUR.  In this week’s episode, Angela joins Member Success Advisor Jesse Roque and Supply Agreement Assortment Lead Aprille Thurheimer to explore the rise of gendered and menopausal products on the shelf. From the evolution of gendered marketing to the cultural implications of body image and health trends, join us for an engaging...

To kick off International Women’s Month, we’re diving into the data behind women-owned brands in this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk!  Join SPINS expert Jim Olson and Senior Category Manager Kim Route as they explore this growing category (up 22% at INFRA stores compared to last year). From The Cycle’s period relief beverages to the vibrant flavors of Fly by Jing, explore t...

Big news at The Buyer’s Desk! Angela is joined by a new voice at the mic—Pat Sheridan, the new co-host and CEO of INFRA. In this episode, Pat shares the story behind his journey to INFRA, what’s inspiring him most about the natural and independent grocery industry right now, and why community support is at the heart of everything INFRA does.  They also dive into the power of st...

Part 2 of our two-part conversation with natural foods icon and nutritionist Marion Nestle is here! Nestle shares her perspective on the importance of dietary variety and the enduring power of moderation in building healthy eating patterns. We also explore today’s trending topics, including the resurgence of beef tallow, the ongoing debate around seed oils, and what these shifts reveal about consu...

This episode is brought to you by Flax4Life.  This week’s episode kicks off the beginning of our two-part series with natural foods icon and nutritionist, Marion Nestle. Join us as we explore the complexities of nutrition science, the evolution of natural foods marketing, and the importance of empowering consumers to make informed choices. Plus, learn m...

This episode is brought to you by Graza .   In our first Buyer's Desk episode of the month, Jim teams up with INFRA Category Manager Chris Madden and Promotional Programs Manager Jared Peterson to dive into the controversial world of seed oils. As more consumers start to actively avoid seed oils, we explore alternatives that are becoming more...

In today’s episode, Angela and Category Manager Kim Route chat with Harry Ross, Global Commercial Director at Savyll Beverage Co. Learn more about the N/A beverage market, from the rise of functional ingredients to the importance of authenticity in marketing and branding to the challenges that N/A spirits face in an increasingly crowded market. Plus, hear insights from Harry about his extensive ex...

In this episode of The Buyer’s Desk, Angela and Category Manager Kim Route chat with Jeff Klineman, Editor in Chief at BevNET, about the evolving landscape of the beverage industry. They explore the emergence of protein in the beverage space, the challenges of building a N/A set, and merchandising best practices for retailers. Stay tuned for t...

In this week’s episode, Director of Purchasing Nick Auzenne returns to the podcast to revisit our 2025 natural trend predictions. Did better-for-you sodas make the big splash we expected? How did whole-food veggie products perform in the market? Join us as we look back on what resonated, and what surprised us.   Plus, stay tuned for big and exciting changes to The Buyer’s Desk throu...