The Produce Moms Podcast

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Eric Patrick, President of Northwest Cherry Growers and the Washington State Fruit Commission, to celebrate the start of the 2026 cherry season.   With nearly 30 years of experience in the produce industry, Eric shares his journey back to the cherry category and his passion for representing multi-generational growers across the...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor speaks with Tracy Duda Chapman, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Duda Farm Fresh Foods and a fourth-generation member of the Duda family, to celebrate 100 years of farming excellence and leadership in American agriculture.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes back a familiar and beloved voice-Lori Castillo, a respected leader in the fresh produce industry and longtime advocate for healthy food access.   Known affectionately as "Lori C" within The Produce Moms community, Lori shares insights from her evolving career journey, including her recent transition into entrepreneurship with...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor speaks with Justin Pettit, Co-Founder of Santa Carota Beef and a third-generation cattle rancher, to share a powerful story of innovation, resilience, and advocacy in American agriculture.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor is joined by Danyel O'Connor, CEO of Umami, and Meghan Diaz, Senior Director-Produce at Sprouts Farmers Market for a Women's Roundtable discussion focused on the evolving intersection of the attention economy, food innovation, and fresh produce consumption.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast , host Lori Taylor continues the 2026 Women's Roundtable series with guests Jennie Coleman of Equifruit and Erica Manfre of South Mill Champs. The conversation explores the concept of the attention economy and its growing influence on the fresh produce industry.  

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Dr. Shehbaz Singh, Founder of Fresh Life Extension, for a deep dive into the science and strategy behind extending the "fresh life" of fruits and vegetables.

In this episode, Lori Taylor welcomes David Ortega, a leading food economist and professor at Michigan State University. As the first food economist featured on the podcast, David breaks down the complex forces shaping food prices today from inflation and global conflicts to supply chain disruptions and trade policy.

In this special Mother's Day episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes First Lady Maureen Braun for an inspiring conversation rooted in motherhood, resilience, entrepreneurship, and community. Mrs. Braun shares her journey of raising a family while building a business, the importance of routines and priorities, and how her upbringing shaped her passion for healthy living.

In this special edition of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor is joined by Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, author, and Chief Nutrition Officer for The Produce Moms for a dynamic conversation following their time in Washington, D.C. during National Ag Day.   Together, they unpack key takeaways from a high-level USDA roundtable, including the rollout of the updated "Product of the USA" labeling...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Eric Halvorson, Head of Communications and Public Affairs for Kroger's Central Division, for an inspiring conversation on hunger relief, community impact, and the evolving role of grocery retailers.

In this special edition of The Produce Moms Podcast , host Lori Taylor welcomes Mike McCloud, Founder and CEO of the World Food Championships (WFC), for an inside look at the fast-growing world of "food sport." With Lori recently named a judge for the Final Table event in Bentonville, this episode explores how culinary competition has evolved into a global stage for chefs, home cooks, and food inn...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor continues the celebration of the International Year of the Female Farmer with Ana Carrillo, Business Development Director at UVEX, a multi-generational farming operation based in Sonora, Mexico.   Ana shares her unique journey from studying marketing and international business to building a career within her family's farming operation....

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Morgan Bray, Food Is Medicine Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association, alongside returning guests Commissioner Jonathan Shell and Dana Feldman from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Together, they explore how Kentucky is building one of the nation's most compreh...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Heather Becker, and Dana Feldman from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to discuss how the Commonwealth is transforming school nutrition through its Local First School Food initiative.

In this episode of the Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Alison Hard, MS, RD, Policy Director for the National WIC Association, for an important conversation about the power of the WIC program and the critical role moms play in shaping healthier families across America.    Lori and Alison discuss how WIC empowers mothers as leaders in their households and communities, helping drive b...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Danyel O'Connor, CEO, and Co-Founder of AI-powered product development platform Umami, for a forward-looking conversation on grocery leadership, wellness trends, and the evolving role of fresh produce in 2026.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Julie Krivanek, a seasoned leader in the fresh produce industry. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the impact of the pandemic on business strategies, and the qualities that define effective executive leadership.   Julie shares her journey from coal mining to fresh produce, emphasizing the unifying power of food and the...

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor sits down with Marjory Walker, Vice President of Council Operations at the National Cotton Council of America, to explore the often-overlooked world of fiber agriculture and why what we wear matters.

In this episode of the Produce Moms Podcast, Lori Taylor and Beth Bechdol discuss the significance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the vital role women play in agriculture globally.

In this episode of the Produce Moms podcast, host Lori Taylor introduces the Women's Roundtable series, featuring esteemed guests Meghan Diaz, Erica Manfre, and Jennie Coleman. The conversation explores emerging trends in grocery retail, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and transparency in leadership.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor is joined by Jill Overdorf, Founder and CEO of The Produce Ambassadors, and Maeve Webster, President of Menu Matters. They discuss the evolving trends in the food service industry, focusing on the importance of human connection, sustainability, and innovation in produce.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes back CarrieAnn Arias, CEO of USA Pears, to discuss the upcoming International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026. They explore the significance of celebrating women in agriculture, the role of female farmers globally, and the impact of agriculture on women's livelihoods.

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Kyle Diamantas, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the Food and Drug Administration, for an in-depth conversation on food safety, regulatory leadership, and the future of the U.S. food system.