The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

In this week's episode of The Produce Industry Podcast with Patrick Kelly and Co-Host Ross Nelson we chat with Thomas Smith, Director of Sales for California Giant Berry Farms. We record this interview LIVE in Nashville, Tennessee while at South East Produce Councils Southern Innovations. Patrick and Thomas were trying to make this happen for almost 6 months, but with the help of Ross Nelson it ca...

In this weeks episode of FRESH FROM THE FIELD FRIDAY'S with Dan Avakian. Dan covers what happened to Patrick's salad mix? His answer "it happens." How to avoid it happening to you, tips on keeping that salad fresh! Also Gold Rush Apples and Honeynut Squash! Tune in and Turn on!  Tune in this week with Dan The Produce Man as he tells all and teaches all!!!  FANCY SPONSORS : Ag Tools, Inc....

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly, Ross Nelson co-hosts the South East Produce Council's SOUTHERN INNOVATIONS event in Nashville, TN. Ross and Patrick recap the show with the following schedule of events. We hear from 2 of the podcasts sponsors Freshway Produce (Standard) and Sev-Rend (Choice) representing the show with two live interviews! What's on the agenda...

This week’s Fresh From The Field Fridays Dan is live in Al Jazzbeaux Collins' Purple Grotto with Nathan Pumplin from Norfolk Healthy Produce! The All New, All Purple Tomato is coming in 2023 to a retailer near you! Not only is this tomato fully purple on the exterior but the interior as well, and is packed with great flavor and loads of nutrition! Get your extra antioxidants together, tune in, sit...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with two of our title sponsors Sev-Rend (Choice) and Ag Tools, Inc. (Fancy) about sustainability and data forensics. These two topics are sweeping the industry and creating waves throughout the supply chain! Jeff Watkin, Director of Marketing of Sev-Rend talks plastic, netters and how to create a better solution for your prod...

On this episode of Fresh From the Field Friday's with Dan The Produce Man Avakian the question is "How did the son of a produce man become a butcher?" Find out this week when Chef Todd Fisher joins Dan the Produce Man for a half hour that will leave you drooling!  How about sautéed summer squash with onions, tomatoes and olives, or sausage stuffed Kabocha and Delicata squashes, chicory and ra...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with John Paap of our new CHOICE sponsor Jac Vandenberg, Inc. John discusses the rich family history and how it all started.....From two best friends coming to America to 100 years of fresh produce, imports and more.. Patrick and John start this series with a jam packed episode of history, knowledge and what's to come. They'r...

In this week's episode of Fresh From The Field Friday's with Dan The Produce Man Avakian we host Wendy Reinhart of Produce for Better Health. We are going to learn about this organization and how it has been around for decades working towards fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. Dan has some casual talk with Wendy on programs that are our there to support fresh produce, how you eat, why you shou...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we travel into the world of technology in produce. Today we chat with Cheetah Wholesale's Na'ama Moran, Co-Founder and CEO. Growing up in Israel with a family of farmers and small business owners, she witnessed the imminent need for a more efficient, accessible food supply.  Na'ama came to the United States to study economics, m...

In this episode of Fresh From the Field Friday's Patrick fills in for Dan The Produce Man giving him a much deserved break to get back on the road and grab some more content. The community is bringing so much to the table literally with what's coming up and what is in stock now. We are joined by Chef Ron, Corporate Chef at Fenway Park in Boston, MA. We will learn from Ron how he started his career...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we are in Indianapolis, Indiana at the INDY FRUIT SHOWCASE podcasting from the show room floor. Patrick was invited to join the 31st annual INDY FRUIT SHOWCASE that has been postponed through COVID and is now back. Join Patrick Kelly and Ross Nelson host this episode while Ross walks the show and finds guests for Patrick to chat with...

In this episode on Fresh From the Field Friday's with Dan the Produce Man Avakian we say "What happens in produce stays in produce"? So, What happens when two produce veterans get together and talk... what else? Fresh Produce! Columnist Armand Lobato joins Dan The produce Man for all things produce! Tune In and Turn On! #freshproduce  Thank you to all of our DYNAMITE SPONSORS:  FANCY SPO...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with Greg Ferrara, President & CEO of the National Grocers Association. Patrick did not know much about the NGA and reached out to Greg via LinkedIN to learn and understand who and what the NGA does? Greg messaging Patrick back, was relieved that someone wasn't trying to sell him something via direct message!  Join P...

In this week's episode of Fresh From the Field Friday's w/ Dan The Produce Man Avakian he is back from farms in California and brings back interesting cucumber and pepper varieties. Also, what is a true San Marzano Tomato? And who was Wilbur Scovile? Turnin' up the heat with Dan the Produce Man! Each week Dan discussed many different produce varieties, where they. come from and such farms that he...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast with Patrick Kelly, Ross Nelson, VP of Procurement for Indianapolis Fruit Company our Choice Sponsor co-hosts HATCH CHILE MONTH!!! Ross had the idea to bring on YOUNG GUNS CHILE's very own Chris Frenzy, President and 4th generation farmers in Hatch, New Mexico. Did you know that hatch peppers have been growing here for over 80 years? Chris gives us a...

In this week's episode on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man Avakian with Summer Squash, Pink Pearl Apples, Squash Blossoms, Sugar Plums, More Apriums and Pluot varieties and is there really a potato shortage? Summer is still here and the weather hasn't changed to much with the hot weather!!! Are you ready for Fall to come with all the changes in colors and different produce?&nb...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with our Standard Sponsor Jay Whitney of Fresh Cravings bringing FAMILY FRIENDLY SNACKING with salsa, humus and dairy products? Today Patrick and Jay chat a bit about The Food Story Brands/Fresh Cravings family business, Salsabrate the good, a golden lid contest that will make you feel like Charlie Buckett when he found...

In this week's episode of Fresh From the Field Friday with Dan the Produce Man Avakian we talk fresh Figs, where did they come from? Are they sacred? How far back in history do they go? Why doe the pollination process creep some people out? Dan answers these questions as well as shares the most popular varieties, how to enjoy them at the peak of ripeness! FIGuratively speaking it's all FIGured out...

In this week's episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we bring back Mike Kostyo, Trendologist of Datassentials for our 3 episode in our PRODUCE TRENDS Series. The first two episodes we chatted about the Top 5 fruits and veggies on the menu and now we will discuss some top produce trends that are on the rise. Patrick and Mike talk about seasonality produce, Americas favorite food,...

In this weeks Fresh From the Field Friday's episode with Dan The Produce Man Avakian the question is "is it just a Yellow Peach?" That's what the sign says in the Supermarket Produce Department, but what variety is it? How come the peach you bought last week was better than this week? Dan Explains. Also The Beefsteak Boogie, It's Tomato Time Folks! Where did Heirloom tomatoes come from? What is a...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with Millennial, Women Leader, and Next Generation  in the produce industry, Alex Jackson, Director of Sales with Frieda’s Branded Produce. Alex and Patrick take you on a journey above the clouds with Frieda’s and how they started and where they are today. Let’s not to mention these two millennials talk about each genera...

In the week's episode of Fresh From the Field Friday's with Dan The Produce Man Avakian we go on a flavorful experience through stone fruit. Nectarines, Peaches and Pluots OH MY!!!!! Dan goes deep into this episode bringing you all kids of summer fruit that will make your taste buds explode.  Fantasia Nectarines, Elberta & Sunrise Peaches, Flavor Queen and Flavor King Pluots, Gravenstein...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. What is that you may ask? A brand? A Grower? or an an entire SUPPLY CHAIN!!! We learn from Suhanra on what is Citrus from South Africa and where you will see their product. You guessed correct, right here in the states at your local grocer. Suhanra will give us a...

It's a green bean kind of day on Fresh From the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Podcast with with Dan the Produce Man Avakian. From fresh summer green beans abound to Green, Yellow, Purple, Italian Roman, Sauté them, Freeze them & Pickle them! Summer Beans Make DAN Feel Fine! During the summer in the US, Americans seem to get out the grille and cook a bit more outside than normal. What...

In this weekly episode of The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly we chat with Farzan Dehmoubed, CEO of Lotus Sustainables. At Lotus Sustainables, they’re on a mission to eliminate plastic bags from shopping. It’s a big goal. But we’ll they are on the path to success! How? By planting Lotus seeds of sustainability —small acts of kindness toward the earth and others—that blossom into positive...