Bake to the Future

With the 2020 Election around the corner, Jim Ellis of BIPAC and ABA's Lee Sanders and Kelly Knowles join us to break down what we can expect this November and what the results might mean for the baking industry. They discuss everything from top issues, the Presidential race, key House and Senate races, and how the pandemic is affecting the campaigns and voting.

Recorded on September 29, 2020.

Guest Hosts: Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA and Kelly Knowles, Vice President, Political and State Affairs, ABA

In part two, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with IDFA and NAMI's CEOs about what they see on the horizon for the dairy and meat industries: new innovations, health and nutrition trends, food safety, and more. Also, hear how their industries are tackling food insecurity and the school meals programs.

Recorded on August 10, 2020.

Guest Host: Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association

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In part one of this two part conversation, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with IDFA and NAMI's CEOs about how the dairy and meat industries have fared during the coronavirus. Together, they reflect on what's happened the past few months regarding workforce challenges, food shortages, trade, and more. Recorded on August 10, 2020.

Guest Host: Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association

We talk with Krystal Register, who leads the health and well-being initiatives at FMI-The Food Industry Association about her experience on the ground as a retail dietician at Wegmans during the pandemic and some insights from FMI's consumer trends research. She shares with us her inside knowledge about how families are approaching mealtime and some strategies for the baking industry on positioning products at the intersection of convenience, health, and eating at home. Recorded July 23, 2020.

Special guest host, ABA's Robb MacKie, talks with Kerwin Brown, President and CEO of BEMA (Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds), about what he sees as the future of the baking industry. We learn about Kerwin's 30-year history in the baking sector, how BEMA members are doing during this crisis, and some insights into how bakers are improving their facilities even during the pandemic. Plus, hear a special update from both Robb and Kerwin on what to expect for IBIE 2022. Recorded on July 9, 2020.

In this episode, we talk with Andy Brimacombe, President of ingredients supplier, Puratos USA, about how he got into and stayed in the baking industry, how Puratos has changed their strategy to reach customers during this crisis, and how they have ramped up their community involvement. Andy also shares some insight from Puratos' global market research and gives us his take on which trends are here to stay. Recorded on June 18, 2020.

In this episode, ABA's Kelly Knowles talks with Jesse Amoroso, Vice President of Amoroso's Baking Company, a family-owned business based in the Philadelphia area. An emerging leader in the baking industry, Jesse reveals candid insights on how his company has adapted to the coronavirus pandemic as well as his thoughts on recent civil unrest. The honest conversation explores how the baking industry - and the country - can move forward together. Recorded on June 9, 2020.

In this episode, we talk with Jane Dummer, RD, nutrition expert and respected thought leader in the food industry. Jane shares her take on baked goods as it relates to consumer trends, health, and the coronavirus pandemic. Listen in to discover where there are opportunities for baking companies to capitalize on current food and nutrition trends. Recorded on May 14, 2020.

In this episode we talk with Brad Alexander, COO at Flowers Foods and the newly elected ABA Board Chair, about the opportunities he sees for bakers and how ABA's resources can help the industry overcome new hurdles. Learn how Flowers adjusted to the pandemic, while continuing to meet the unprecedented demand for fresh product. We also talk about his goals for ABA and for the industry as he begins his ABA Board Chair position. Recorded on May 14, 2020.

In this episode, we talk with Gary Hawkins, retail technology innovation expert, about how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated technology adaptation - in some cases, changes are happening over the course of weeks and months instead of years. The bakery category has unique strengths - and challenges - when it comes the quickly evolving landscape. Listen to learn about new retail formats, innovative marketing techniques, and how to stay ahead of the curve. Recorded on May 14, 2020.