Bake to the Future

Safety for truck drivers has been one of the top concerns for food manufacturers during this crisis. On this special episode, Bob McGuire, VP, Dir. Of Logistics at Alpha Baking Co. shares with us how they are quickly adjusting their logistics to deliver product to customers, including nursing homes, while protecting drivers. He gives us an update on the driver shortage and walks us through how he is planning for the future as the country begins to emerge from the shutdown. Recorded on May 6, 2020.

In this special episode, Jim Antrup, VP of Marketing & Sales at Tippin's Gourmet Pies, shares how Tippin's has been impacted by this crisis and some of the ways they are overcoming these challenges while keeping team members' wellbeing the number one priority. He tells us how Tippin's has adjusted their communications as well as their production to meet the growing demand in the retail stores, and decrease in demand in foodservice. This conversation was recorded on April 27, 2020.

The Bama Companies was set to have its best year yet supplying baked goods for fast food chains and restaurants around the world, but everything changed when the Coronavirus hit. On this special episode of Bake to the Future, Bama Companies CEO, Paula Marshall, talks about how she is leading her business, the hardest part of the crisis, and how the Quick Service Restaurant industry is starting to slowly come back. This conversation was recorded on April 21.

Bill Paterakis is a leader of one of the largest family baking companies in the country. In this exclusive interview, Bill talks with ABA's Robb MacKie about how H&S Bakery/NE Foods/Schmidt Baking Co. is navigating this crisis, ensuring his employees are safe and appreciated, while giving back to the community, and filling orders for customers. Recorded on April 14, 2020.

Guest Host: Robb MacKie, CEO & President, ABA

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In this special episode, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with Cyrille Fillott, Global Strategist-Consumer Foods at Rabobank, about the outlook for the baking sector—in both retail and food service categories. From a global perspective, Cyrille explains how coronavirus is affecting consumer behavior now and how it might change after the crisis. This conversation was recorded on April 9, 2020. Listen to Cyrille's podcast, Consumer Foods to Go

In this special episode, we talk with Kelly Knowles, VP of Political & State Affairs, to get her expert take on state legislative and regulatory issues during Coronavirus. She explains the challenges for the wholesale baking industry when working across states, whose regulations and laws often vary from one state to another. Kelly also tells us what she sees on the horizon for state legislation after Coronavirus. Listen in. This was recorded on April 3, 2020.

We talk with Lee Sanders, ABA's SVP of Gov't Relations & Public Affairs, about COVID-19 regulations and legislation that are affecting the baking industry. She shares exactly which policies listeners should know and have on their radar. With more than twenty years advocating for bakers, Lee tells us how she works with key federal agencies and industry partners to solve challenges during this time. There is a lot of information about the Coronavirus, we break it down for the baking sector.

In this special episode, we talk with Rasma Zvaners, ABA's VP of Regulatory & Technical Services, about food safety and regulations during the crisis and the obstacles companies are encountering with the quickly changing regulations. She shares with us about how communication is key, whether it is within facilities, across the industry, and with groups and agencies that can give guidance.

In this special episode, we talk with Robb MacKie, ABA President & CEO, to learn about what this crisis means for bakers, how it has accelerated change, and how the industry has come together like never before. Robb explains how partnerships with struggling industries can help fill the recent workforce needs in the baking sector. We also go behind the scenes to hear about ABA's work to help the industry during this time and how the government has collaborated with the food industry to feed America's families.

Erin Sharp has seen the industry from many perspectives: as Group Vice President of Manufacturing at The Kroger Co. and as the Chair of ABA's Board of Directors. We listen in to Erin's conversation with Robb MacKie, ABA President & CEO, where she tells us about how Kroger's company values are put into action as they develop their workforce, including their recent initiatives focused on hiring veterans. As the outgoing Board Chair, Erin shares how ABA's role within the industry has impacted Kroger and the baking industry at large.