The Produce Moms Podcast

"I try to remind folks that we aren't going to run out of potatoes. We still have 13 billion pounds of potatoes that we are shipping across America and around the world." Frank Muir (7:20-7:35)   Frank Muir has served as the President and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission for the past 17 years. He is leading the charge to help consumers around the world understand that Idaho potatoes are deliciou...

"You took a non-existent category in the value-added produce section to what today is over 700 million in retail sales." Lori Taylor (2:11-2:18)   Crunch Pak is Proving that Convenience and Health Can Go Hand-in-Hand.   Tony Freytag, Executive VP and co-founder of Crunch Pak, is an absolute legend and pioneer in the produce industry. He took a nonexistent category in the value added produce sectio...

"Fair Trade empowers the workers and allows them to uplift their living conditions and this is very important for us as a company."    Iris Madrigal (6:12-6:21)   Located in Sonora, Mexico, the mountainous region extending from northern Mexico to southern Arizona, Covilli Brand Organics was formed in 1965 as of  Terry Poiriez's pursuit to do things right and take no shortcuts.    Long before organ...

"It takes 706 gallons of water to make 1 cotton t-shirt. That's enough water for humans to drink for 2 ½ years." Gina Lee  (6:39 - 6:47)   Gina Lee is the Founder of The UPcyclers Network and is a passionate advocate for businesses that are creating value from "waste."    Gina has over 15 years of experience working in the areas of corporate social responsibility and social impact in the United St...

"Mushrooms are a superfood. They are nutrient-packed with fiber, B vitamins, potassium, selenium, copper and ergothioneine" Lindsey Occhipinti (11:07 - 11:12)   With the gloomy winter months upon us, especially here in the Midwest, we can all use more vitamin D.  Thankfully, we have innovative farms like Monterey Mushrooms who have teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replicate vit...

Let Food Be Thy Medicine with Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Cali'flour Foods, Amy Lacey "Healthy food has to taste as good as it makes you feel." Amy Lacey (25:04-25:07) Amy Lacey is the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Cali'flour foods. When her business exploded in 2017, Amy went from "CEO" of her household of five, to managing the expansion of a wildly successful, and much need...

"It takes so many resources to grow, transport, store, cook, and get food to our plates. When we throw food out, we throw those resources out with it." Dana Gunders (8:10-8:28) The average American throws away around $30 worth of uneaten food every month. When you factor in the food being wasted by restaurants, grocery stores, and other points along the supply chain, it's easy to see how big of a...

"It's the juiciness that stands out with the Cosmic Crisp® apple. It's unusual to have an apple that's just that juicy."  - Kate Evans (16:34-16:42) Kate Evans, a professor at the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University, has been instrumental in leading the University's apple breeding program within its Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. The center is focused on researchin...

"Growers are becoming smarter each and every day in their quest to raise the most flavorful food for us all." Lori Taylor (15:09-15:17) As we wind down another year and look to 2020, The Produce Moms team is taking a look back on our biggest takeaways, favorite podcast episodes, and industry trends to look out for. "We're close to a perfect five-star rating. We have amazing reviews, and when I rea...

"We want to make sure that when consumers pick up an Applewood Fresh apple, they're getting the best eating experience for their money." Nick Mascari (16:04-16:13) Farmers want to farm. They don't always want to get involved in the marketing and sale of their products.  Applewood Fresh works with family farmers to bring their products to market. They represent over 34 Michigan apple farmers, spann...

"Without exception, I've never talked about Brighter Bites and not had someone say, 'That's amazing. I want to support that. I want to be a part of that.'" Rich Dachman (22:09-22:23) Rich Dachman is the former vice-president of produce for Sysco and was an executive at Sysco for almost three decades. He is now the CEO of the Brighter Brights.  The road that led him to Brighter Bites started with a...

"Sunbelt is really focused on three things: food, people, and relationships. When we hire people, we want to make sure that people fit that culture." Stacy Ward (14:13-14:21) Stacy Ward is on the executive board of Coastal Sunbelt Produce. With decades of experience under her belt, Stacy is a super-focused and disciplined professional and  mom, and she loves produce.  After working for Sysco, Stac...

"When you marry aquaculture and hydroponics, you get aquaponics." Kurt Wagaman (5:04 - 5:09) Kurt Wagaman is the GM at Superior Fresh, an industry-leading aquaponics facility specializing in leafy greens, Atlantic salmon, and Steelheads. Their facility is situated on a 720-acre native restoration property nestled in the Coulee Region of Wisconsin. Superior Fresh's flagship facility is the largest...

"Joy Bauer is passionate about inspiring children and people of all ages to eat the healthiest foods and live their best lives." Lori Taylor (7:24 - 7:37) Joy Bauer is one of America's leading health authorities. She's a New York Times number 1 best-selling author and the health and nutrition expert for NBC's Today show.  Joy is also the host of the TV show Health and Happiness with Mayo Clinic. S...

"Part of the obesity problem is that health care providers aren't sufficiently trained to give the information patients need to make healthy choices." - Dr. Amanda Velazquez Dr. Amanda Velazquez is an obesity medicine doctor and a nutrition specialist, and she is board certified as an internal medicine doctor. Dr. Velazquez helps her patients with weight loss so they can improve their health and a...

"The Coconut Coalition of the Americas was founded in order to fight the negative perceptions of coconuts resulting from false reports." Traci Kantowski (2:35 - 2:45) Traci Kantowski, of the Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA), has over eighteen years of marketing communications experience in corporate and non-profit sectors. She's leading the CCA's communication efforts to develop educational...

"We're transforming agriculture by enabling local production within farms in major cities...where the people are." Marc Oshima (2:07 - 2:13) Marc Oshima is the co-founder and CMO of AeroFarms, one of the most innovative companies in the world, according to Fast Company. They were selected as a winner in Environment for the 2018 World Technology Awards.  AeroFarms disrupts traditional supply chains...

"Onions are in every home and restaurant. They're a part of everyone's recipes, whether it's a gourmet restaurant or grandma's family recipe."  Lori Taylor (4:13 - 4:26) Jessica Peri is a fourth-generation farmer at Peri & Sons Farms, one of the leading onion growers in the country. Starting with only 100-acres in 1979, Peri & Sons Farms has experienced incredible growth while maintaining the comp...

"Companies like Hazel Tech are a part of the solution to the global food waste crisis." Lori Taylor (17:26 - 17:33) Aiden Mouat is the CEO and co-founder of Hazel Technologies, a company passionate about saving resources and reducing global food waste, and they're doing it in an eco-friendly way.  Food Waste is a Global Crisis How can we produce enough food to give everyone around the world enough...

Eating Healthy on the Go With Alison Velázquez   "Fresh produce is not only a cornerstone of my brand. It's a cornerstone to my own diet as well." Alison Velázquez (6:45 - 6:53) Drinkable soup is the newest food trend you definitely want to get in on. When you're in a hurry for your eight o'clock meeting but haven't eaten breakfast yet - what do you reach for? A thick Clif bar? Strawberry Pop-tart...

"A third to a half of all the food we produce is wasted. There's a food supply gap that we can begin to close and make an impact on if we just waste less." Natalie Shuman - (4:58-5:12)   Apeel Sciences is one of the most buzz-worthy brands and products in the produce industry, agriculture, and the entire world. Natalie Shuman paved her path in the fresh produce industry. She's the director of mark...

"People love CBD because it doesn't get you high but has all the benefits of cannabis, including pain relief and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression."  Emily Kyle (5:04 - 5:20) Emily Kyle is a registered dietician and holistic cannabis practitioner. She offers a compassionate, understanding holistic healthcare approach designed to fit each individual and their circumstances. Emily has a Ma...

"Krissy Farms brand is about putting together food, fun, families, and farms. It's a lifestyle brand that promotes health and wellness from the very first bite." Kristyn Lawson (7:58-8:15) The food mothers feed their babies lays the foundation for long-term health. Organic food products sourced from high-quality produce are essential to their development. Kristyn Lawson is the founder and CEO of K...

  "If we integrate more women and balance the boardroom, then we can have a huge impact on the environment." Julie Escobar (11:34 - 11:46) The International Mission of Global Women Fresh Julie Escobar has worked on an international scale with growers, consumers, and retailers in the agricultural industry for the past 20 years. Throughout her business expeditions in Latin America, Europe, and the P...

"Elisabeth Watkins is 18 years old. She is the Founder of Farm Girl Chef and she won Chopped Junior on Food Network when she was a freshman in high school!" Lori Taylor (0:48 - 0:55) Elisabeth Watkins from Farm Girl Chef. Elisabeth Watkins is only 18, but she has already accomplished so much. She won Chopped Junior, a reality-based cooking television game show on the Food Network when she was a fr...