The Produce Moms Podcast

"NatureSweet is the brand people really know and trust."   Lori Taylor (13:22-13:31)   Amit Patel is the Marketing Director at NatureSweet, the company behind those delicious, favorite Cherub, Glory and Cherry tomatoes we all love! Whether you leave them on your counter to snack on all day like Lori, or use their packaging as a colander to wash in, NatureSweet's tomatoes are a convenient, versatil...

"The Produce Moms would not be B Corp certified if it weren't for Kerrie."   Lori Taylor (2:57-3:01)   You've heard us share about the exciting process of becoming a B Corp Certified business, but you're probably wondering why this is so important. Kerri McDevitt is a Senior Consultant at Impact Growth Partners, a small consulting firm working with businesses across the world to become B Corp Cert...

"We're trying to understand how different foods and different eating patterns impact anxiety and psychosis disorders."   Dr. Monique Aucoin (5:44-5:51)   Dr. Monique Aucoin is a naturopathic doctor and senior research fellow at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and also one of the leading North American researchers in the field of nutritional psychiatry (the use of nutrition in the pr...

"Sometimes we think, 'I'm not sleeping, I'm not exercising, I need to eat healthier, I'm stressed', and then we're just even more overwhelmed. Overwhelm does nothing for us."   Dr. Christopher Mohr (24:07-24:17) Dr. Christopher Mohr, PhD R.D., is one of the world's leading nutrition and mindset experts and he's got a lot to say when it comes to "Minding your Melon". He's consulted for clients like...

"My dad had the mindset that this isn't just a profession, this is my identity. If I'm not a farmer, what else am I going to do?"    Marshal Sewell (15:19-15:28)   For the month of May, we're doing a special series called "Mind Your Melon" and focusing on mental health awareness for the agriculture industry. Marshal Sewell, Strategic Account Manager and Mental Health "AG-vocate" for Bayer Crop Sci...

"If we're robbing these neighborhoods of those green spaces, we're robbing them of their health as well."   Bryan O'Donnell (9:31-9:38) What does planting trees have to do with helping reduce the daily food insecurity 38 million people around the world experience? Not only is there a huge correlation between communities that are low-income food deserts and a lack of trees, but just by planting one...

"This is an amazing liquid that's often misunderstood in our supply chain."   Melissa Martinelli (6:06-6:11)   When you hear the word "whey", you probably think of whey protein powder, right? There's so much more to whey than that, which is why Melissa Martinelli created Superfrau, a sparkling, bubbly, functional whey beverage made from fresh, upcycled whey that comes from the greek yogurt ferment...

"Beko is the Tesla of home appliances! The way you have brought technology and sustainability into real time solutions for homeowners and moms like me is amazing."   Lori Taylor (32:43-33:02)   In 2018, we started the tradition of celebrating a brand that's doing a remarkable job of making sustainability a priority and more accessible for all of us in our home kitchens for Earth Day. There's no be...

"You should feel proud that this is the county you live in and these are the incredible things we bring to the market."   Anna Genaschi (23:03-23:10)   Anna Genaschi, Director of Communications for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, is always looking for opportunities to educate farmers, ranchers, growers and consumers alike about their local food sources and, while getting a salad one day with he...

"It's a safe assumption to make that [sexual harassment] is happening in your workplace."    LeAnne Ruzzamenti (14:05-14:09) The Equitable Food Initiative is raising awareness for sexual harassment prevention in the month of April and, thanks to them, all companies across the Agriculture industry have access to a phenemonenal sexual harassment prevention training and toolkit that's helped transfor...

"Produce waste is a trillion dollar problem."   Lori Taylor (13:58-14:00)   Food waste is something we're all guilty of here in the United States. Have you ever tasted an apple from your recent trip to the grocery store and felt it tasted tired? You probably threw out the rest of them without a second thought. But did you know in the United States, 40% of fruits and vegetables grown end up in the...

"I really want the consumer to understand the true cost of producing a product. I think with more education they'll know what they're investing in and will be willing to pay more for a quality product they know has a positive impact in the world."   LeAnne Ruzzamenti (14:09-14:26) The annual Farm Worker Awareness Week, which falls along Caesar Chavez's birthday and along the same time when fresh f...

"We are encouraging women to bring their capabilities to the table in a way that's unapologetic."   Jill Overdorf (25:15-25:24) Jill Overdorf is one of the first women who had the "boss lady" mentality and reputation in the produce industry and rightfully so! She's strong, powerful, unapologetic and a key stakeholder in the empowerment of women across the board. She's technically been in the indus...

"If you don't have the next generation of kids going back to their family business or starting new farming operations, we're going to have a problem in 20 or 30 years."   Walt Dasher (20:24-20:35)   Walt Dasher is the proud owner of third-generation, family-owned G&R Farms where they do more than just grow delicious Vidalia and Preuvian onions, they are fostering the Future Farmers of America (FFA...

"We fight through the growing pains because that's what we love to do. We see it as failure not being an option because this is our life. It's truly empowering." Carley Parsley (5:57-6:12) Carley Parsley's family are fifth generation farmers and third generation blueberry growers at Brookside Farms (they've been growing since the early 50s). Even though Carley is the Direct of Food Safety, being a...

"The system is not set up to facilitate wellness and health. My goal is to help connect regular people with the current research and help make a difference in their lives and help reduce the global burden of Alzheimer's."    Tamara Claunch (34:51-35:18) Tamara Claunch had a first hand experience with Alzheimer's that left her feeling hopeless. Her grandmother passed away in 2008 from Alzheimer's r...

"My goal is for someone to walk into any place where there is a board meeting and you're looked at as an individual, not thinking that you might not be worth the position or worth being there because you're a female." Aribel Aguirre-Beck (22:01-22:20)   There's no better way to kick off Women's History Month and The Produce Mom's three-part miniseries than with three phenomenal, empowering, inspir...

"Black walnuts are the cadillac of tree nuts! I've done a lot of baking with them in my kitchen and can tell a true difference in flavor."   Lori Taylor (2:01-2:12) The best part about Hammons Black Walnuts isn't how deliciously bold, flavorful, healthy and versatile they are, it's that they are 100% wildly sourced!    Hammons Black Walnuts is a third generation family owned nut shelling business...

"If you're not aware of mushrooms, saddle up! Mushrooms are hot. They are the hottest item in the produce department right now."   Lori Taylor (2:07-2:20)   There's no doubt about it… mushrooms are one of the hottest items in the produce department right now and if anyone knows mushrooms like the back of their hand, it's Mike Stephan, Director of Sales for Monterey Mushrooms. Mike has been with th...

"Every time somebody picks up a Good Sam product, they know that the people who are finding it on the other end are taken care of and this is truly a fair product taking care of the planet, people, and you and your needs."   Heather Terry (18:01-18:17) When Heather Terry started her first company Nibmor Chocolate with co-founder Jennifer Love, the two had no idea the amount of supply chain issues...

"I've always known that when people say Idaho, I think about potatoes first!"   Lori Taylor (5:21-5:25) As Jamey Higham, CEO of The Idaho Potato Commission, puts it, "I've got some potato DNA in my blood!"   Jamey was born and raised in Shelley, Idaho, a small town right in the heart of potato country. Growing up with two weeks out of school each year for potato harvest and cheering on his school...

"I have learned so much from hosting the show because I get to listen, inquire and directly conversate with some of the most brilliant people in the world."    Lori Taylor (35:57-36:10) From launching The Produce Moms as an in-house marketing idea for Indy Fruit, to growing a blog, to posting weekly podcast episodes since 2018, The Produce Moms has grown exponentially from a grassroots concept to...

"Apples are the number one fruit in American households. It is a go-to. It's something that even if it's not on your grocery list, you're buying it."   Lori Taylor (23:57-24:07)   The Produce Moms has proudly co-branded with Applewood Fresh not just because of their 20 incredible varieties of apples, but because of their dedication to sustainability, protecting the environment and educating the co...

"It sounds like a complicated technology advancement for grocery retail, but man is it going to make the lives of the consumer a lot easier."   Pamela Riemenschneider  (14:06-14:16)    Pamela Riemenschneider is a catalyst for the produce industry. As one of our most top, celebrated trade journalists, she's constantly pushing industry leaders to think bigger, more innovative and identify opportunit...

"This is the company that really changed the access the rest of the United States had to get fresh, leafy greens."   Lori Taylor (5:28-5:35)   Even though Tanimura & Antle wasn't "officially" launched until 1982, the families that make up this incredible fresh produce team have a legacy that stems from 100 years of growing experience. The Tanimura family and Antle family lived 40 miles apart from...