The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, we’re talking dandelion greens, Cara Cara red navels, and those rare Chocolate Navel oranges — all showing up in stores right now. Dan also breaks down a timely AgLife Media article on California pear growers and the impact of heavy imported pear volume still in the pipeline just as fresh Lake County pears are hitting the market. And we wrap it up with a...

This week on The Global Fresh Series , we take a wide-angle look at how rapidly shifting environmental conditions, global demand, and innovation are reshaping the fresh produce landscape. We begin in California , where the state has officially been declared drought-free , marking a major turning point for growers, water policy, and long-term agricultural planning. From there, we travel to Southeas...

What happened when Joseph Banks finally put to sea - and discovery left the comfort of gardens behind? How would a voyage meant to advance science collide with storms, suspicion, imperial rivalries, and human tragedy? And what would it cost to catalogue the natural world at the far edges of the globe? Join John and Patrick as they follow Banks aboard HMS Endeavour , from vineyards in Madeira and s...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , Patrick Kelly welcomes Wiggs Civitillo , Founder and CEO of Starfish , for a conversation. Wiggs shares his background, experiences, and perspective, offering insight into his journey and the path that led him to where he is today. Through the discussion, listeners get to know Wiggs both personally and professionally, and hear his story in a natura...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss dive into the biggest fresh produce and food trends of 2025 —and look ahead to what’s coming in 2026. From fresh-cut vs. bulk on the produce stand to mushrooms, berries, and the ever-growing wall of salads, we break down what’s hot, what’s changing, and what shoppers are actually buying. We also tackle the ag...

In this timely episode of the Global Fresh Series , we sit down with Ron Lemaire , President of the Canadian Fresh Produce Association, for a candid conversation on one of the most challenging years the global fresh produce industry has faced in recent memory. Ron reflects on the realities of 2025—marked by shifting tariffs, trade uncertainty, and geopolitical pressures—and how these forces reshap...

Who was Joseph Banks before he became the most powerful botanist in the British Empire? How did a wealthy, restless young man turn a childhood fascination with weeds into a scientific obsession that would reshape global agriculture? And why did one cold, miserable voyage to Newfoundland prove to be the spark that launched a world-changing career? Join John and Patrick as they begin a brand-new mul...

In today’s episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly breaks down one of the most pressing issues facing California citrus growers this season: the unexpected surge in mandarin fruit drop. With a lighter crop already forecasted, above‑average rain, persistent fog, and rising fungal pressure have created a perfect storm in the groves — and growers across the Northern Central Valley...

It’s a new year on Fresh-from-the-Field Fridays , and Dan the Produce Man brings you four in-season favorites. We kick things off with broccolini, also known as sweet baby broccoli, where it came from, why it goes by so many different names, and why the stems matter. With all the rain in Northern California, chanterelle mushrooms are abundant right now, and they remain a true favorite among chefs....

The final Global Fresh Series episode of 2025 is all about celebration. We’re highlighting the people, ideas, and breakthroughs that shaped the year across the global fresh produce industry. From farm fields to global markets, this episode captures the energy, resilience, and innovation that defined 2025—and sets the stage for an exciting year ahead. Join us as we close the season with gratitude,...

Once, Switzerland was a land of pears. When we picture the Swiss countryside today, we imagine tidy fields, precision farming, and alpine order. But not so long ago, vast stretches of eastern Switzerland were covered in towering pear trees - ancient giants that fed communities, sustained wildlife, and produced perry renowned across Europe. So how did a nation famed for care, balance, and cultivati...

In this special year-end episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly reflects on the defining moments, challenges, and wins that shaped the produce industry over the past year. From market shifts and innovation to leadership lessons and industry trends, Patrick breaks down what mattered most—and why. He also looks ahead to the new year, sharing insights on what’s coming next and h...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Ross brings on a special guest, his daughter Alice, to share her preteen fresh produce picks. Ross also digs into some dairy-free alternatives to his traditional Czech heritage cookies, plus brand-new seasoned veggie kits made for the air fryer. They cover New Year’s Eve produce picks, from black-eyed peas and collard greens to grapes, and even tackle th...

Twas the price before Christmas, and all through the supply chain, avocados were falling while citrus felt the strain. In this festive episode of the Global Fresh Series , we unwrap the latest market moves—avocado prices hitting multi-year lows thanks to booming imports, while California citrus climbs to holiday-high territory. With a nod to a classic Christmas tale (reimagined with fresh produce)...

As 2025 draws to a close, we also reach the midpoint of the decade. Looking back on an eventful first half of the 2020s, we’re left with a big question: what will history remember about this era in the world of fresh produce? In this final livestream of 2025, John and Patrick will revisit the defining moments of the past five years, unpack their historical significance, and ask whether these event...

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast , Patrick Kelly recaps AgLife Media’s 2025 , highlighting key projects, industry conversations, and how the company supported produce professionals through a year of change. Patrick shares what AgLife Media learned from the field, the topics that resonated most with the industry, and how those insights are shaping the year ahead.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss are talking Christmas cookie traditions, with Ross sharing family-favorite Czech recipesand why he still uses an old-school, hand-turned grinder to make walnut flour the traditional way. That technique also opens the door to gluten-free and dairy-free holiday cookie options. On the table this week: Oro Blanco...

In this episode of the  Global Fresh Series , we begin with a lighthearted (and honest) reflection on holiday travel, how flying has changed over the years, and why a cup of fresh fruit might be the best carry-on you can bring. But quickly, the conversation turns serious as we examine how timing, weather, and global trade pressures are reshaping fresh produce supply chains. Shifting to t...

What do gold, frankincense, and myrrh really tell us about the world into which Jesus was born? Who were the Magi - kings, mystics, scientists, or traders - and why did they travel vast distances carrying some of the most valuable agricultural products on Earth? How do desert trees in Arabia and the Horn of Africa connect a humble birth in Bethlehem to ancient global supply chains, imperial econom...

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast , Patrick Kelly sits down with Shay Myers, President of Owyhee Produce, for a conversation that happens mid-flight as the two travel together on a plane. With nowhere to be but in the moment, they talk about produce, where to find truly good-quality fruits and vegetables, and what separates the best products from the rest. Along the way, Shay shares...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Chef Jeffrey Schlissel joins us with smart, time-saving prep tips to make your holiday cooking a whole lot easier. We get into what you can prep ahead so you’re not slammed on the big day, the latest trends in the restaurant and food-service world, and a heads-up about ingredients in fresh-prepped foods. Chef Jeffrey brings the heat with practical advice...

In this week’s episode, host  Juanita Gaglio  takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of the global fresh-produce scene — from  bananas mysteriously washing ashore on U.K. beaches  to the  first shipments of Chilean cherries  sparking excitement for the holiday season. We’ll also look at why  broccolini is having a major moment  on menus and market shelves alike...

From incestuous wasps and prehistoric forests to sacred enlightenment, revolutionary resistance, and a certain square-shaped snack aisle icon - what if the fig is the most powerful fruit in human history? Join John and Patrick as they trace the astonishing 80-million-year saga of the fig: its ancient pact with tiny wasps, its role in shaping ecosystems, feeding early humans, inspiring gods and emp...

In this candid and energizing episode, host Patrick Kelly steps away from the fields and into the doctor’s office—literally. Fresh from a recent medical checkup, Patrick shares what he learned, what surprised him, and why the conversation around health and wellness is more important than ever. Patrick opens up about how personal health ties directly into the produce industry, our food system, and...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays: Ross is on the East Coast at the New York Produce Show, and Dan is in Monterey at the Organic Grower Summit. We kick things off with the latest on the strawberry situation, then roll right into our picks of the week: crisp Iceberg lettuce, sweet Ambrosia apples, classic Rome Beauties, those gorgeous red Dianju pears, and creamy Bacon avocados. And believe...