The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

In this special episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly kicks things off before handing the mic over to Dan and Juanita, reporting live from the show floor at the  2025 IFPA Foodservice Conference ! Powered by ZAG Technical Services , this episode highlights the critical role of cybersecurity in keeping the fresh supply chain protected, connected, and efficient. Tun...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media—Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss are live in Monterey at the IFPA Foodservice Summit! Ross is just back from Europe with great photos and stories from produce markets abroad. Dan’s got summer treats like Angelcots, Japanese honeydew, and more, plus the latest from this year’s IFPA Food Show. I...

Join us on this episode of the Global Fresh Series as we follow the journey of the  Import Promotion Desk (IPD)  — a dynamic organization connecting small and medium-sized suppliers from emerging markets to the European Union. With the support of Germany’s  Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development , IPD helps pave the way for long-term trade relationships that benef...

It’s 1848, and amid the towering firs and scorched stumps of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a revolution in American agriculture quietly takes root. In this third installment of our epic Lewelling saga, John and Patrick trace the extraordinary efforts of Henderson Lewelling as he establishes one of the Pacific Northwest’s first grafted fruit orchards - alongside his ambitious partner William Meek. As...

🎙️  LIVE from Parma, Idaho!  Join  Patrick Kelly  on this special episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast  as he hits the road and goes  straight to the source  at  Owyhee Produce  with none other than  Bailey Myers  and  Robin Myers . We’re digging deep into what makes this Idaho-based family farm a powerhouse in onions, mint oil,...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media... Ross is away, traveling through Europe—so Dan is flying solo! But don’t worry, the produce is still piling high. Dan’s got a table full of summer stunners from Bay Area produce markets, farmers markets, and his own backyard garden. Fresh on the table: Sharlyn melon Yellow donut peaches and yellow donut...

Global Impact, Local Voice with Ruth Villalonga on Passion and Purpose Join Global Women Fresh hosts Julie Escobar and Carmell Clark for a dynamic conversation with this week’s special guest: • Ruth Villalonga – global marketing leader, brand strategist, and passionate advocate for storytelling in fresh produce. Ruth brings a powerful voice to the industry, with deep roots in brand building, inter...

In today’s episode of the  Global Fresh Series , we head south to the heart of Mexican avocado country for our first-ever conversation with a Mexican avocado company. Discover the unique advantages of Mexico’s diverse growing regions and how a strong commitment to sustainability is helping these growers stay competitive in the global marketplace. Join us in the avocado fields and find out wha...

What kind of person looks at the treacherous Oregon Trail and says,  “You know what would make this even harder? Let’s drag 700 fruit trees with us” ? In this episode, John and Patrick continue the epic tale of the Lewelling family - radical Quakers, abolitionists, and horticultural pioneers - as they pack up their Iowa homestead and begin one of the most improbable journeys in American histo...

From  produce as medicine  to  banana trade trends , we’re breaking down the biggest stories shaking up fresh produce: IFPA’s National Health Campaign – Can fruit and veg become part of your healthcare plan? Global Heatwaves – What extreme weather means for your supply chain. Pest Victory – California eradicates the Tau fruit fly in Orange County. Tech Meets Policy – Cold chain inno...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays From The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media… Ross is getting ready to hit the road again—this time, he's heading to Europe! And he’s promised to check in with us live from some of the fresh produce markets and street stands he discovers along the way. Before that, we’ll recap his visits with growers across California, right before he met up with Dan...

This week’s episode is  rooted  in the rich, dark soil of Southern Manitoba—the kind that’s so soft and crumbly it won’t even stick to your feet, but grows picture-perfect potatoes and farm-fresh produce like it’s magic. 🥔✨ Come along as we walk the rows with the passionate growers of  Peak of the Market , Canada’s premier grower-owned cooperative. From field to fork, these farmer...

How did a quiet Quaker family from North Carolina - devout, disciplined, and disinclined to dance - go on to revolutionize the fruit industry of the American West? Who were the Lewellings, and how did their deep-rooted values, obsession with grafting, and fierce opposition to slavery shape the orchards of Oregon, the nurseries of Iowa, and the future of American agriculture? Join John and Patrick...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly welcomes Amanda Nigg , founder of Farm Fit , for an inspiring conversation on the powerful link between nutrition, fitness, and everyday life . Amanda shares her personal journey and how she’s helping farmers, ag professionals, and everyday folks take control of their health—starting with what’s on their plate. From the role of f...

This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays Ross and Dan are reportin live from the Organic Produce Summit 2025 in Monterey California! - A short and fresh look at what’s happening in organics this week and a recap of the Lakeside Organic Gardens Farm Tour in Watsonville.

This week on the Global Fresh Series, we're diving into the dynamic world of  private label programs —and we’re taking you straight to the heart of  Tuscany, Italy . Our guest is a seasoned global affairs executive and passionate good food ambassador with over 15 years of international experience connecting the dots between  retailers, olive oil suppliers, and third-party certifiers...

In the shadow of revolution, a campaign of quiet devastation unfolded. While Washington’s Continental Army fought British redcoats along the eastern seaboard, a very different war was being waged in the lush valleys of upstate New York. It was not a war for cities or forts but for orchards, granaries, and the very soil beneath Seneca feet. Join John and Patrick as they unearth the harrowing truth...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly welcomes two industry powerhouses — Ross "The Produce Boss" Nelson and Tony Nuovo from Grower Stock — for a dynamic conversation about innovation in produce sourcing. Together, they explore what sets Grower Stock apart as a game-changing platform in the produce supply chain. From streamlining procurement to increasing transparenc...

In this episode, Juanita Gaglio connects with Michael Grunwald to explore the topics within his compelling new book. They reflect on the powerful intersection of food, ecosystems, and human ingenuity—discovering how thoughtful approaches in agriculture can help nourish both people and the planet. Michael brings insight about the next frontier in sustainable food systems. They discuss a range of in...

The rise of the organic movement is often remembered as a peaceful revolution - a return to the earth, to purity, to harmony with nature. But its true origins tell a far darker tale. Born not in the flower-strewn fields of 1960s counterculture, but in the grim laboratories of fascist ideology, the organic movement was shaped by the poisonous ideal of Blut und Boden - blood and soil - Hitler’s visi...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly is joined by Ross Nelson, known as “The Produce Boss.” The conversation delves into the upcoming OPS Show in Monterey, California, offering insights into what attendees can anticipate. Additionally, the episode touches on Stemilt's dark-sweet cherries, highlighting their appeal in the fresh produce market with a small taste test....

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media, it’s summertime—and that means stone fruit is on fire ! Ross and Dan welcome Kevin Steiner from Mountain View Fruit to talk all things peaches, nectarines, peachcots, plumcots, and plums—yellow, white, and everything in between. The season’s hitting its stride, and the fruit is everywhere . It’s the time...

Join host Patrick Kelly and guest Manuel Michel, Managing Director of the Colombia Avocado Board, to explore how Avocados from Colombia is redefining consumer perception and building a standout brand in the global produce aisle. They dive into how the nation’s powerful country-branding—highlighting Colombia’s lush biodiversity, sustainability ethos, and rich cultural story—is fueling awareness and...

From the sun-soaked pineapple fields of Puerto Rico to the grapevines that shaped Puritan Connecticut, from Madrid’s legendary El Oso y el Madroño to Grenada’s fragrant nutmeg empire, symbols of fresh produce have found their way onto flags, seals, and coats of arms across the world. But behind these charming emblems lie stories of indigenous resilience, colonial ambition, revolutionary struggle,...

This week on The Produce Industry Podcast, we’re recapping all the energy, insights, and fresh ideas from the  NGA Fresh Summit  in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — and who better to join us than  Mary Heslepp , the official MC of the event! Mary shares her behind-the-scenes perspective, favorite moments, and the meaningful conversations that made this year’s show stand out. From panels that...