The Packer Podcast

Learn from Vonnie Estes, vice president of innovation for International Fresh Produce Association. She talks about her career trajectory that led to her position today, and the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator program she started, how companies can apply and what the benefits are. She also shares her favorite parts of the fast-approaching IFPA Global Show in Anaheim, Calif. To find resources menti...

Description: Learn all about Joseph Bunting of United Supermarkets in Lubbock Texas: What makes him tick? How did he get into produce? Who did he meet at the checkout register? How was he mentored and how does he lead and introduce new ideas? And join us at 2 p.m. Oct. 20, at The Packer and PMG booth No. 2937 at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Anah...

You will hear an overview of the state of the agtech industry from our two partner hosts from ZAG Technical Services and Full Tilt Marketing, the most pressing issues and all about a coming report that will benchmark how this sector of the produce industry is doing with its technology know-how and implementation. To learn more: ZagTech.com To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepack...

Let’s collaborate to better secure our companies from cyberattacks, says Johnny McGuire, director of Information Technology at The Nunes Co., a California-based vegetable grower with the Foxy label. Learn how this Silicon Valley tech guy turned into a Salinas Valley farm guy, helping create cybersecurity guidelines for produce companies large and small, and the work he’s doing on Rule 204 of the F...

Learn from Blanca Acosta, director of care and culture at Abundant Harvest Organics, which grows for Homegrown Organic Farms. Acosta shares how taking care of your produce employees means listening to — and acting on — their day-to-day needs in their specific working environment. That can mean ladder sleeves to prevent field falls, picking up fruit in walking areas to prevent packing shed slips, w...

Learn from Dennis Donohue, director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, an agtech startup incubator, on how agriculture has matured with its approach to technology. He dives into water, economics, next-generation agriculture workers, robots and more. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@prod...

What to do about DEI? This Equitable Food Initiative-partnered episode explains with a helpful chat. A produce industry veteran for more than 25 years, Vic Clark shares his advice and perspective as the industry expands its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, initiatives. “The only thing I’ve seen change in the last 25 years in this industry is the calendar,” he said about DEI change. He beli...

As Giant Food’s healthy living merchandising manager, Emily Massi serves as a liaison between the worlds of retail registered dietitians and retail merchandising. Learn why this role was created, how she’s bridging the two worlds and how it benefits consumers as well as produce retailers. To find Giant Food’s Healthy Living team and resources: Healthy Living by Giant Podcast TikTok : @HealthyLivin...

What’s going to happen with cybersecurity, labor, data and all the other ways a produce company can be more competitive today and in the future? Longtime cybersecurity and ag expert Greg Gatzke, founder of ZAG Technical Services, explains. To find ZAG Technical Services: zagtech.com To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and...

Learn in this EFI-partnered episode why one multinational produce company slashed the requirement of drug screenings and background checks, hiring chronically underemployed people — all ways Bonduelle Fresh Americas (home of the Ready Pac Bistro brand) earned B Corp Certification to become a profitable “Benefit for All” company that consumers can trust. What did it take to do this? To find the com...

Description: The CEO of Agtools has an almost dizzying depth of knowledge on how the global produce industry works, from field to shelf. Let’s learn a little from Martha Montoya. To find Agtools: ag.tools To find ZAG Technical Services: zagtech.com To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com Link...

Learn from Cristie Mather, vice president of food at marketing agency Curious Plot, what kinds of activities on social media can provide results for produce companies and retailers, and what the return on investment looks like for this marketing tool. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com L...

Learn what data your company already has, what to do with it, and the steps necessary to jump into the AI game for your produce and produce-adjacent business. To find ZAG Technical Services: Visit zagtech.com , especially the data software services solutions page . To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemar...

Learn from this sunflower seed and nutbar company founder when (and why) a nut bar belongs in the produce department. Why are produce buyers asking for them? How does this help produce sales at retail or the overall basket ring? To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG: Produce M...

Explore with Andy Tudor, president of AT Ag Consulting, the simplicity of ag tech in solving problem ­– that it isn’t always actual “computer tech” but any kind of new technology that solves a problem, from robot palletizers and sorting machines to organic apple coatings and what it means for labor. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@t...

Learn about the problem of produce promotion execution at the store level, and what you can do about it. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG: Produce Market Guide and The Packer Instagram: @packernews and @producemktguide Facebook: @ProduceMktGuide and @PackerNews Twitter: @...

Welcome to a new partnered series with ZAG Technical Services, where you’ll learn about the challenges and solutions for tech side of fresh produce and produce retail business.   To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG: Produce Market Guide and The Packer Instagram: @packernews...

Learn how an award-winning partnership between Firework and The Fresh Market is inspiring shoppers to buy produce and other grocery ingredients while — and after — attending live virtual cooking events where they can join the conversation. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com . Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG...

How do you use shopper data to personalize the shopping trip, making it a better experience for your customer, and a more profitable experience for your business? To find us: Our websites:  producemarketguide.com ,  thepacker.com  and  ProduceEDU.com . Email:  news@thepacker.com  and  artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn:  PMG:  Produce Market Guide  and  The Packer Instagram:   @packernews  an...

Learn the major takeaways from several produce leaders in this final episode of a 12-part series with Equitable Food Initiative. You gotta love a “best of” episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how one food retailer handles its digital shopper program and ensures the people picking the consumer’s produce order know what to do. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey, produce industry: Do you even know Farmworker Awareness Week exists? Yes, there is a day, a week, and a month for everything. But this is a chance to spotlight the essential workers who form the foundation of your business—and all of our daily nutrition needs. It’s mainly for you, retail and produce marketers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think about agtech, you don’t think about farmworkers first. Often, tech startups and venture capitalists come to mind. But what if the farmworker’s perspective, ideas and needs were placed front and center while these necessary innovations propel our produce industry forward? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why can’t walnuts be fresh and cool like pistachios and almonds? They can be, and Robert Verloop has a plan to increase sales and consumption. To find us: Our websites:   thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com, www.producemarketguide.com Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG: Produce Market Guide and The Packer Instagram: @packernews and @producemktguide Facebook: @P...

This family business began with one man and a produce pushcart in the 1920s and has since grown to 12 Cingari Family ShopRite supermarkets across Connecticut, part of the Wakefern Food Corp. And now they’re modernizing, with environmental sustainability in mind. Tom Cingari, vice president of produce, floral and e-commerce, explains. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com , thepacker.com...