The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

In this episode of  The Global Fresh Series , we take a deep dive into the numbers shaping what’s on our plates — comparing the staggering $3.23 trillion global ultra-processed foods market with the $1.27 trillion fresh-produce sector projected by 2034. Host  Juanita Gaglio  unpacks where the real opportunities lie for fruits and vegetables to innovate, inspire, and add value — from...

"They say once you grow crops somewhere, you have officially colonized it. So technically, I colonized Mars. In your face , Neil Armstrong!" As Mark Watney's line from the book and film The Martian suggests, fruits and vegetables have long played a starring role in our visions of space. Sometimes they’re subtle symbols of home; other times, they’re humanity’s only hope for survival. But how realis...

In this reflective episode with, Patrick Kelly he shares how the Water for All Hike with BLUE Missions and Continental Fresh reshaped his perspective on something most of us never think twice about: water. After walking the same paths families in the Dominican Republic travel daily to access clean water, Patrick describes the weight of their stories, the resilience of the communities he met, and t...

In this episode of  The Global Fresh Series , we explore three dynamic stories shaping the produce world and beyond. First, we dive into the innovative trend of packing premium avocados in festive Christmas gift boxes—what it means for growers, exporters, retailers and the seasonal consumer mindset. Next, we examine the latest global public-health push around ultra-processed foods: how policy...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , Ross “The Produce Boss” Nelson steps in as guest host while Patrick participates in the Blue Missions Water For All Hike in the Dominican Republic. Ross provides listeners with an overview of the purpose and scope of the Water For All initiative—an effort focused on expanding access to clean and reliable water for communities in need. He also share...

What does a thorny Mediterranean thistle have to do with the American Mafia? How did a humble vegetable — adored by Romans, cultivated by Renaissance queens, and grown lovingly by Italian immigrants — become the centerpiece of one of the strangest criminal rackets in U.S. history? And why did a fiery New York mayor decide that the only way to defeat organized crime… was to ban artichokes altogethe...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Dan The Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss welcome Chef Eric Meisel — culinary produce specialist and all-around kitchen wizard. We’re diving into everything Thanksgiving… brining tips, roasted veggie magic, the right fruits to brighten your table, and even some fun drinks to bring a little extra groove to your holiday spread. It’s all right here on F...

The Global Fresh Series is back with a triple-feature episode bursting with fresh trends and global milestones. We kick things off with the rising “sour grape” sensation taking over taste buds and social media. Then we dive into a historic turning point for British agriculture as the UK embraces precision breeding with a bold new regulatory framework. And finally, we head to Paris, where Natexpo 2...

What if the most valuable substance on Earth wasn’t gold, or oil, or diamonds… but bird droppings? In the mid-19th century,  guano —yes, seabird excrement—fueled an agricultural and geopolitical revolution. From the sacred islands of the Inca Empire to the docks of Victorian London and the halls of the U.S. Congress, this strange, smelly fertilizer transformed farming, powered economies, and...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly sits down with Evan Ehlers , founder of Sharing Excess , for a powerful conversation about the future of food rescue and the fight against food waste. Patrick and Evan dive into how Sharing Excess is transforming surplus produce—often measured in millions of pounds—into nutritious meals for communities in need. Evan shares the or...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , Ross the Produce Boss and Dan the Produce Man dig into some seasonal gems—fresh Florida citrus, Honey Nut squash, and a few more late-fall goodies hitting produce departments right now. Then the duo welcomes Dustin Robison from Harvest Central , a sweet potato grower out of Livingston, California. Dustin breaks down sweet potatoes the way only a farmer c...

In this episode of the Global Fresh Series , host Juanita Gaglio welcomes Patrick Kelly , founder and host of The Produce Industry Podcast , for an engaging conversation about the dynamic world of fresh produce. Together, they explore how international trade and global trade shows are shaping the future of the industry, and discuss the innovations, challenges, and opportunities driving growth arou...

What happens when humanity takes its most basic need - food - beyond Earth’s atmosphere? From John Glenn’s applesauce tubes to the first lettuce grown aboard the International Space Station, the story of fresh produce in space is one of science, innovation, and survival. In this episode, John and Patrick are joined by Vickie Kloeris, former NASA Food Scientist and manager of the Space Food Sy...

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast , host Patrick Kelly welcomes Juanita Gaglio from the Global Fresh Series for a deep dive into how technology and storytelling are shaping the future of fresh produce. Patrick and Juanita share their recent experiences from major industry trade shows , discussing the innovations, trends, and people driving change across the supply chain.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss dive into some killer seasonal gems — Arkansas Black apples, miniature mangoes, Koginut squash, Fuyu persimmons — plus other surprises straight from the field. We also drop a few simple tips to help you prep for the big holiday coming up this month. Fresh, fun, seasonal! It’s all right here on Fresh from the F...

In this  Part II  of our deep dive into the  ESM European Grocery Report 2025 , we unpack the fresh facts shaping the continent’s supermarket retail landscape. From internal country politics, inflation, geopolitics and tariffs that impact consumer behavior and how they are making their purchasing decisions, host  Juanita Gaglio  brings you the highlights that define t...

What is the legacy of Japanese American farmers in shaping California’s agricultural landscape? How did a community once barred from owning land become pioneers in strawberry and vegetable farming? And how did families like the Tanakas endure displacement, incarceration, and prejudice to rebuild—and ultimately thrive? John and Patrick are joined by special guest Glenn Tanaka, whose family has been...

This week, we’re taking it  way back  to Halloween 2020 with special guest  Trenton Bennett , professional  voice actor  and longtime friend of the show! Join host  Patrick Kelly  for a fun, lighthearted throwback episode recorded right here in  Tampa, Florida , filled with laughs, spooky season vibes, and behind-the-scenes stories that’ll get you in the hol...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Ross the Produce Boss and Dan the Produce Man — we’re getting spooky with produce. Halloween goodies, healthy swaps, and yes… even some candied fruit for the sweet tooth crowd. Ross breaks out a killer lineup of creative Halloween fruit boards and charcuterie-style displays — perfect for parties or keeping the kids off the sugar crash. We also touch o...

En este episodio de Café Virtual de Global Women Fresh, nos reunimos con mujeres líderes que están rompiendo barreras en el mundo de la agroindustria. Conversaremos sobre los retos y oportunidades de ser mujer en un sector altamente competitivo, cómo la resiliencia se convierte en una herramienta clave para avanzar, y de qué manera la innovación y las redes de colaboración impulsan el crecimiento...

Join John and Patrick for a special bonus episode recorded live from Anaheim, California, at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show! Surrounded by the sights, sounds, and scents of the world’s freshest innovations, they sit down with four bright Cornell University students to hear their impressions of the show - and to ask a question close to their hearts: w...

In this episode of  The Global Fresh Series , we unwrap the findings of the  ESM European Grocery Report 2025  — one of the most anticipated overviews of retail dynamics across Europe. From the rise of  private labels  to the reign of  trust-driven retail brands  like ICA, we explore what’s shaping the shelves, the shoppers, and the supply chains of tomorrow. Spo...

What do garlic, blackberries, cucumbers, eggplants, mushrooms, and pumpkins have in common? More than you might think. Across history and folklore, fruits and vegetables have not only nourished humanity but terrified it - linked with madness, curses, demons, vampires, and even the Devil himself. From garlic garlands that warded off the undead, to blackberries spoiled by Satan’s spit, to Japanese r...

The excitement continues at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) 2025 Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California! Join Patrick Kelly, Juanita Gaglio, and Dan “The Produce Man” as they dive even deeper into the action on the show floor. In Part 2 of this special event series, the team brings you more exclusive interviews, fresh innovations, and candid moments with leaders...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays , there’s an exciting new pineapple in town — and boy oh boy, it’s smashingly incredible! 🍍 It’s the Colada Royale from Dole Fruit Company , and we’ve got the exclusive interview with Dr. Roberto Young , the developer behind this outstanding new pineapple. This one’s a real winner, folks! We also catch up with Bill Goldberg from Dole Fruit Company for mor...