The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

Join us on  Grape Expectations , the podcast where we explore everything about grapes — from their health benefits in maintaining muscle mass to the intricate global grape market. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for the latest health tips or simply a fan of fresh produce, we’ve got the juicy details to keep you informed. Tune in to learn how grapes are taking over the world of wel...

The story of the olive is one of resilience, empire, and cultural transformation. From its first human interactions in Africa over 100,000 years ago to its role in the economies of the great Mediterranean civilizations, the olive tree has been a silent witness to the rise and fall of history’s greatest powers. In the Eastern Mediterranean, early farmers began cultivating olives nearly 7,000 years...

In this episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly welcomes Suhanra Conradie , CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa, to the  Aglife Media Studio ! Suhanra shares her excitement about visiting Tampa, FL, for the first time and the importance of securing shelf space for premium citrus ahead of the summer season. With SEPC just around the corner, she discusses the...

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network, Ross and Dan are feeling the St. Patrick's Day spirit! Ross kicks things off with some key takeaways from the SEPC Educational Sessions, and then the produce guys dive into cabbage and all the festive St. Paddy’s Day goodies. So tune in and turn on!

In this episode of  The Global Fresh Series , our host Juanita Gaglio  is back fresh off  Southern Exposure , bringing insights into the latest market chatter. From the buzz around  tariffs  to shifting industry trends and exciting developments, we break down what’s shaping the fresh produce landscape. Join us for a lively discussion on the key takeaways, challenges,...

In the wake of war, division, and rapid industrialization, South Korea’s countryside faced a crisis. By the late 1960s, rural poverty was deepening, farmers were abandoning their fields for the cities, and the gap between urban and rural life had never been wider. But then, a dramatic shift began. Join John and Patrick as they explore the origins and impact of the Saemaul Undong Movement - the swe...

Join us for a special episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast , broadcasting straight from  Southern Exposure —one of the best events in fresh produce! We’re diving into exciting conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries, including  Chef Jeff Henderson, Molly Endenfield, Raina Nelson, Anne-Marie Roerink, Clark Roper, Kristen Yerecic-Scott, Maclaren Oglesby, J...

Welcome back to  Fresh From the Field Fridays  with your host,  Ross Nelson , and special co-host,  Patrick Kelly ! Big Shout-Out to Dan "The Produce Man" for his week off. This week, Ross takes the mic from the brand-new  Produce Industry Network Studio  in Tampa, FL, sharing his first impressions of the space. We also dive into the  Southeast Produce Council’s...

This week on the  Global Fresh Series Podcast , we are honored to welcome your host  Juanita Gaglio  for an insightful discussion on key global topics shaping the fresh produce industry. 🌎  Trade Mission to South America  – Exploring new opportunities, challenges, and the impact on global supply chains. 🍊  Citrus & Mental Health  – Unveiling the promising r...

The relationship between Russia and Ukraine is as much about soil as it is about politics. The fertile black earth of Ukraine—cherished by empires, fought over by nations—has been both a source of great prosperity and deep conflict. And today, as world leaders negotiate the terms of peace, the historical struggle for control over Ukraine’s agricultural bounty remains as relevant as ever. Join John...

History is made at Aglife Media Studios in Tampa, FL, as  The Produce Industry Podcast  hosts its very first, in-studio interview! Join host  Patrick Kelly  as he sits down with  Juanita Gaglio , Host of the  Global Fresh Series , for an insightful conversation on Southern Exposure, Traveling with Fresh Produce and key takeaways to healthy journey through life. Tune i...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays on the Produce Industry Network from AG Life Media, it’s a mushroom madness extravaganza! Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss are joined by Sean Stellar from Phillips Mushroom Farms. We’re diving into the magical, mystical world of fresh mushrooms — their flavors, their funk, and all the fantastic things you can do with them. Loaded with flavor a...

Chicago’s history is deeply entwined with African American migration, resilience, and food traditions. Once a key destination of the Great Migration, the city became a new home for millions seeking opportunity - bringing with them the rich culinary heritage of the South. But how did African Americans adapt to urban life when access to farmland was scarce? And how did fresh produce shape their food...

In this special episode of the  Global Fresh Series , Co-Host Patrick Kelly teams up with Juanita Gaglio to welcome Mike Knowles, Managing Director of Fruitnet Media, the leading platform for global produce news in the EU. Together, they dive into the biggest takeaways from Fruit Logistica, Europe’s premier fresh produce trade show, and explore its impact on the global supply chain. Mike shar...

African Americans have played an undeniable role in shaping American agriculture, yet today, they make up less than 2% of the nation’s farmers. From the rich agricultural knowledge enslaved Africans brought with them - cultivating crops like rice, okra, and yam - to the broken promise of "40 acres and a mule," Black farmers have faced generations of systemic barriers. What happened during Reconstr...

In this episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly , we’re joined by David Abadin , a seasoned expert in the frozen food sector, to dive into why some vegetables are actually  better  when bought frozen. David and Patrick explore the top  5 vegetables you should always buy frozen —discussing the benefits of peak-season harvesting, nutrient retention, extended she...

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network , Ross and Dan are joined by Raul Polo Jr. to talk about his new product— Miami Chips ! Get down to the roots of malanga and yuca chips , plus plantains and other tropical selections. We’re diving into what makes malanga and yuca unique , and which plantains are best for frying . It’s a crunchy good time, so tune in and tu...

Every February, the world of fresh produce unites in Berlin for Fruit Logistica—three days of innovation, connections, and market-shaping conversations. In this episode of the  Global Fresh Series , we take you inside the event, sharing key highlights, industry insights, and our very first podcast experience on the ground. Join us as we explore the trends, technologies, and stories shaping th...

After years of relentless study, George Washington Carver arrived in Alabama in 1896 with a bold vision: to transform Southern agriculture and help Black farmers break free from poverty. But what he found was a region devastated by over-farmed soil, sharecropping, and economic struggle. Joining the Tuskegee Institute under Booker T. Washington’s leadership, Carver faced immediate resistance—from b...

In this episode of  The Produce Industry Podcast , we welcome Betty Lu, Founder and CEO of Confetti Snacks—a venture-backed company transforming imperfect produce into award-winning, plant-based snacks that celebrate global flavors while combating food waste. Betty shares her journey from launching in San Francisco, NYC, and Singapore to gaining distribution in major retailers like Walmart, A...

This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network , Dan The Produce Man and Ross The Produce Boss are joined by The Flower Wizard himself, David Kaplan, just in time for Valentine’s weekend! What’s hot in the floral department at your grocery store? What’s trending at your local florist and in the industry as a whole? We’re diving into the symbolism behind different flowe...

Just like fresh produce, this week’s episode is packed with  fresh news  straight from Europe’s primary fresh produce trade association,  Freshfel ! 🍏🌱 Join us as  Philippe Binard , General Delegate of Freshfel, shares expert insights on aligning fresh produce sustainability efforts with the  EU’s Green Deal  initiative. Plus, sustainability specialist  Gil Kau...

George Washington Carver, born into slavery in the early 1860s, would go on to become one of the most influential figures in American agriculture. His life began in turmoil - kidnapped as an infant, raised by his former enslavers after the Civil War, and set on a path of profound curiosity and innovation. Despite immense adversity, George developed a deep connection to the land and plants, experim...

Join host  Patrick Kelly  on  The Produce Industry Podcast  as we recap an unforgettable  Fruit Logistica 2025  from  Berlin, Germany!  This year marked my  first time attending the event , and not only was I immersed in the world’s leading fresh produce trade show, but I also had the incredible opportunity to  speak twice in one week —diving into...

This Big Game weekend, Fresh From The Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network serves up some serious flavor! Ross The Produce Boss and Dan The Produce Man welcome Chef Jeffrey Schlissel, author of Craveable Obsessed —and that's just the tip of the iceberg! Dive into Chef Jeffrey’s journey, from working in the kitchen at just 8 years old to embracing the camaraderie of the culinary world, t...