Future Food Cast

Our latest podcast episode features Ryan Zinn, Regenerative Projects Manager at Dr. Bronner's, where we explore their deep commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Learn about their vertically-integrated supply chain, fair trade practices, and positive impact on farmers and the environment in 15 countries. As a family-owned company with a salary cap, Dr. Bronner's donated $12 million to charity last year, and is investing in projects that affect how people eat, including promoting regenerative agriculture through tree planting and natural forests. Join us for an inspiring conversation about organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and building a sustainable food system. Tune in now!

In this episode, Robert Saik, CEO of AdvisorPRO, shares how their agricultural network is driving success for farmers by connecting them with experts through their technology platform. Their vision is to build the most credible independent agricultural network, while their mission is to enhance sustainability, profitability, and global food security. Robert emphasizes the importance of finding common ground between different religious and denominational beliefs to make agriculture sustainable. He also discusses the communities within their organization and how teachers align with their vision. Other topics covered include the sustainability index on the packaging, organic labeling, genetic modification, and ESG efforts toward transparency, traceability, and trust.

In this episode, we hear from Tony Argiropoulos, the Founder of Ambros Coffee Roasters, about his journey in the coffee roasting industry. Tony discusses the importance of high-quality beans and how technology has improved the consistency and quality of coffee roasting. He also explains the concept of "the third wave" in coffee and how it has elevated the industry with specialty coffee. Tony shares Ambros Coffee Roasters' unique marketing approach, emphasizing the role of storytelling in their brand, which allows them to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Through this episode, listeners will gain valuable insights into the coffee roasting industry and the importance of quality, technology, and storytelling in building a successful coffee brand.

In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Art Bell, President at Kinetic 12, LLC, about their efforts to drive growth in the food industry. Art shares insights on the trends post-pandemic, including the increasing focus on sustainability and the importance of collaboration and connectivity across the industry. He also discusses the role of technology and automation in the food industry, as well as supply chain issues and the importance of sourcing and providing high-quality products to consumers. Kinetic 12 works with all partners in the industry, including restaurant operators, commercial food service places, distributors, and manufacturers, to provide end-to-end solutions and drive growth. Art also touches on the Emergence program, which helps emerging chains build opportunities for manufacturers and distributors to grow their businesses. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the food industry and the current trends shaping its growth.

In this episode, we talk to Julien LeBlanc, Founder & President of Blueprint North America, about applying insights from other disrupted sectors to future-proof the food and beverage industry. We discuss attracting and retaining the right talent, partnering effectively, and implementing processes to achieve goals. We also delve into the importance of transparency and balancing risk and innovation. With insights from conferences and international examples, including Holland, we explore strategies for regaining clarity and purpose in the industry, touching on the supply chain and the potential of ghost kitchens. This episode provides valuable insights and practical strategies for success, whether you're a seasoned industry professional or just starting out.

In this episode, we sit down with Alison Patt, President and CEO, and Chris Nicholson, VP of Thomas Cuisine, to discuss the Real Foods Initiative. They share insights on their efforts to drive local sourcing, sustainability, and food as medicine in all their operations, and control the waste stream. We also delve into their diversified client mix, including healthcare, corporate, and education, comparing and contrasting their catering in all verticals. We discuss their mission of transparency and sustainability, as they strive to be a sustainability leader in the contract food services space, both in sourcing and food waste. The team also shares the challenges they've faced with supply, causing menu replacements, and how they're working to stabilize the situation. Finally, we touch on the issue of waste, looking at ways to improve production and divert it, as well as reducing post-consumer waste through correct portion sizes, before redirecting it to composting or other options. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how Thomas Cuisine is leading the way in sustainable food services.

Listen to the latest episode of our podcast where we dive into how Areterra Wines Canada is revolutionizing the wine industry with technology! Hear from Dan Dickinson, Executive Vice President & CIO, about their journey to direct-to-consumer sales, incorporating technology into the viticulture process, and making wine more accessible to consumers

In this episode, we interview Brian Hofemeier, the Vice President of Government Sales and Education at JTM Food Group. He discusses the government's regulation of the food industry, the supply chain and ingredient sourcing, and how JTM Food Group provides nutritious food to K12 schools. Brian also explains his role at JTM and how the company offers a variety of food products for restaurants, schools, colleges, and universities, focusing on kettle-cooked items such as macaroni and cheese and ethnic sauces. He touches on the importance of following government rules and regulations for food businesses that receive funding from the government. We also talk about JTM's efforts in reducing fat and sodium in their food-for-school programs and how they work with multiple suppliers to maintain ingredient quality.

In today's episode, we speak with Travis Day, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Chile Association. We discuss how the association innovates in the chili industry and provides quality products while supporting farmers, growers, and manufacturers. Travis shares the background of NMCA as a non-profit organization supporting the chili industry and its efforts to promote the industry through advocacy. He also talks about the New Mexico Certified Chili Program and its use by authentic farmers, processors, and restaurants. Travis highlights the challenges of addressing labor shortages and the process of mechanical harvesting of chili peppers from plants. He shares information on new varieties that offer increased yields, worker programs, and water issues, as well as distribution and inflation challenges. Travis emphasizes NMCA's commitment to preserving cultural significance, supporting farmers, and ensuring quality products.

In this episode, we spoke with Jason Freeman, Founder and CEO of Farmer Direct Organic about how they are creating a product that is 100% organic, 100% traceable back to the family farm, and 100% tested for pesticides and herbicides. We discuss offering both gluten and gluten-free options. The company is focused on social justice and promoting fair treatment for farm workers, as well as animal welfare. We also delve into government regulation surrounding these issues and the difference in hydroponic practices between the US and Canada. The moral of the story is that building integrity in the supply chain will be rewarded by the market. For aspiring entrepreneurs, control over decision-making is important, and setbacks and failures are inevitable. The company is also exploring ways to scale sustainably, including the implementation of ancient technology from Amazon.