The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

What was the United States government’s first move, when it decided that what Americans ate was a matter of national concern? Why, from the depths of the Civil War to the height of the culture wars, has Washington repeatedly redrawn the nation’s plate - sometimes to fight hunger, sometimes to win wars, sometimes to battle heart disease and obesity? And how did fruits and vegetables move from quiet...

Join host Patrick Kelly as he welcomes special co-host Jonathan Buettner of Buettner Processing Solutions, LLC. for a lively discussion from the Southern Exposure 2026 event in Orlando, Florida. This episode dives into the heart of the produce supply chain community, highlighting trade show insights, industry collaborations, and innovations shaping the future of fresh produce. Tune in to hear abou...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan has King Oyster mushrooms on the produce table. Learn how you can turn these incredible mushrooms into vegan pulled pork and delicious tacos. Also on the table is Dazzle variety sweet apples, Ataulfo mangoes, Kinnow mandarins, and three varieties of blood oranges to taste and compare. It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Pr...

What kind of fruit was designed to be swallowed whole by giant sloths? How did a sacred Mesoamerican tree become the green badge of millennial brunch culture? And how did a humble postman’s backyard seedling end up conquering global agriculture? Join John and Patrick as they trace the astonishing history of the avocado - from the forests of ancient Mexico and the courts of the Maya and Aztec, to t...

Join Patrick Kelly, the voice of the Produce Industry, as he shares firsthand insights from his recent travels through California's Central Valley and previews the highly anticipated Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando. This episode dives into the latest innovations in pre and post-harvest solutions with AgroFresh, tackles the challenges of unpredictable weather on crop quality, and highlights...

Join Ross the Produce Boss as he fills in for Dan with special guest Patrick Kelly to dive into the role of fresh produce in fueling athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Explore how Italian cuisine and seasonal fruits and veggies are powering peak performance, plus insider tips on what’s fresh and local this season. Tune in for fresh industry insights, Olympic highlights, and a celebrati...

In this vibrant February episode of The Global Fresh Series , we celebrate the spirit of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year — a season of prosperity, renewal, and symbolic foods — while honoring National Heart Month , spotlighting the powerful role fresh produce plays in cardiovascular wellness. From citrus fruits symbolizing good fortune to berries, leafy greens, tomatoes, avocados, root vegetables, an...

What becomes of a man who spent his life moving plants, people, and power across the globe - when his own body finally begins to fail? How did Joseph Banks face his final years: in pain, in controversy, and yet still at the very center of British science? And why, after four decades at the helm of the Royal Society, did his reputation wither almost as quickly as his health? In this seventh and fin...

Join host Patrick Kelly as he welcomes Bruce Letchworth of Continental Fresh to share inspiring stories of purpose, passion, and mission-driven work in the produce industry. Discover how honesty and relationships are transforming communities globally through the 'Water for All' initiative, and enjoy a lively conversation that blends produce insights with Bruce’s unique alligator hunting and fish f...

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays , Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss welcome Caroline Lewis , founder of The Farmer’s Feed —all about reconnecting people with the farmers who actually grow their food. We dig into the cabbage trend that’s heating up in foodservice and retail, talk about why farmers need to tell their own stories , and how getting closer to the consumer really m...

This week on The Global Fresh Series , we’re recapping the high points of Fruit Logistica 2026 , where nearly 90,000 fresh produce professionals from around the world gathered in Berlin despite challenging winter conditions. We take a closer look at the business momentum, innovation highlights, and key themes shaping the global fresh produce industry, followed by an overview of the EU–Mercosur tra...

What happens when exploration gives way to administration - and adventure turns into power? How did a royal garden become the beating heart of a global botanical empire? And how did Joseph Banks, without leaving London, reshape landscapes, economies, and diets across the world? In this episode, John and Patrick move from the drama of ocean voyages to the quieter - but far more consequential - worl...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast with Patrick Kelly, we break down the biggest takeaways from Fruit Logistica 2026 in Berlin — from data‑driven transformation and sustainability to global trade standards and the rise of storytelling in fresh produce. Patrick also shares his personal journey across Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Chile, and beyond on a mission to uncover...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , we’re talking earthquakes, snowy weather, and the real-world challenges facing the produce industry right now. On the fresh side, we dive into Gold Nugget mandarins, Cuties in bags, Enchanted cider, cello radishes, the sweetest batch blueberries, blood orange varieties, and pineberries. We also cover bringing healthier produce options to a kids’ dance co...

This week on The Global Fresh Series , we’re coming to you from Fruit Logistica in Berlin , where the global fresh produce industry gathers to shape the future of trade, innovation, and market access. In this special episode, we share insights from the show floor and introduce a guest with years of hands-on experience doing business in the China fresh produce market . As China continues to play an...

How did a gentleman botanist turn a vague imperial idea into a functioning colony on the far side of the world? Why did Joseph Banks’s quiet influence matter as much as any act of Parliament or naval broadside? And how did food, plants, and fragile supply lines decide whether Britain’s most audacious colonial experiment would live or die…? Join John and Patrick as Parliament finally commits to Bot...

A powerful cold spell is sweeping across the United States — from snow flurries in Florida to citrus growers on alert in California and Texas. In this episode, we break down how the freeze is affecting produce supply, harvest timing, transportation, and pricing, all while recapping recent travels from Tucson and the SWIPE Conference. Weather volatility is shaping the market in real time, and we ex...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss, Ross is fresh back from the SWIPE show and brings us a brand-new item called Zucchiolo. We also talk frozen grapes and why they’re such a great snack. On the produce table: Gold Nugget mandarins, Valentine pomelo, and a full lineup of cauliflower – white, green, purple, orange, plus the wild looking Roman...

We begin with a deep dive into France’s recent decree banning five active substances on a range of fresh produce, regardless of country of origin , and explore what this unilateral move means for growers, exporters, and global supply chains operating within and beyond the European Union. Next, we’re excited to introduce a new segment, Consumer Insights , featuring Nicole MacDonald , who joins us t...

Fresh from fame and flush with ambition, Joseph Banks sets out to remake the world in his own image. But what happens when celebrity curdles into entitlement, when science collides with the Navy, and when one man’s colossal ego derails an imperial voyage before it even leaves port? Join John and Patrick as Banks plans a second South Seas expedition, throws one of the great tantrums of the eighteen...

Patrick Kelly and co‑host Ross Nelson take you straight to Tucson, Arizona for their very first Southwest International Produce Expo experience. From teeing off at the golf tournament to diving into education sessions, shaking hands at networking events, and walking the buzzing expo floor, this episode captures the energy and discovery of seeing the show through fresh eyes. Join the recap as Patri...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Ross “The Produce Boss” and Dan the Produce Man share some great finds from the market. Ross talks about the Juicy Crunch tangerine, some air-fryer-ready frozen produce from PictSweet Farms, and a sweet treat — chocolate-covered pistachios. Dan dives into more microgreen varieties and shows off those beautiful bunched, multi-colored watermelon radishes....

This week on The Global Fresh Series , we take a wide-angle look at the forces reshaping the global fresh produce industry—from avocado boardroom power, with the blockbuster acquisition of Calavo Growers by Mission Produce , a deal that signals a new era of scale, vertical integration, and expansion into prepared foods. moves to unexpected environmental challenges influencing what ends up on our p...

What happens when discovery turns to disaster — and survival hangs on a sliver of luck? How close did Joseph Banks come to losing everything he had collected, and his life with it? And how did coral, disease, and chance shape one of the most important scientific voyages in history? Join John and Patrick as the Endeavour smashes onto the Great Barrier Reef, limps into Batavia, and is transformed fr...

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast , Patrick Kelly sits down with Jeff Cady , Vice President of Procurement for Tops , to discuss retail sourcing, supplier relationships, and today’s produce market challenges. Jeff shares insights on procurement strategy, leadership, and what it takes to succeed as a retail partner in an evolving industry.