jobTopia with Tony Moore

How to Diversify from Agriculture into Direct to Consumer with Jeff Van Pevenage, CEO Columbia Grain International ~ introducing Balanced Bushel E118

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Hear the inside story of why one of the world's largest agricultural exporters of wheat, corn, soybean, lentils, peas, and dry beans transitioned into DTC (direct to consumer) by opening a massive supply line for more than 5,000 farmers. 

Join me and Jeff Van Pevenage, the CEO of Columbia Grain International, with special guest host, Kevin Scott - the CPG expert, to learn the retail strategy behind Balanced Bushel and why Jeff is investing in this platform for growth (HINT - it's all about his farming partners and employees).

  • From commodity trader to CEO
  • Importance of farming in a small town
  • Growing a business around a processing plant
  • Opening up supply lines and creating markets for farmers
  • Consumer sentiments steer decisions on the farm ~ you can thank hummus
  • Co-Op is a bad word, as I found out!
  • CGI is 100% a relationship business
  • How to educate the next generation
  • Strategic decisions behind Balanced Bushel
    • New company logo
  • Packaging choices
  • Educating the consumer
  • Why Montana is the perfect geography to launch the brand first
  • Special shout out to https://christieand.co/ for branding and PR support
  • Grocery expansion 
    • Distributors
  • Co-packing
  • eCommerce
  • Amazon platform
  • CEO's have a responsibility to provide growth for employees

    • Connect with Jeff Van Pevenage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-van-pevenage-00521a1ab/

    Columbia Grain: https://www.columbiagrain.com/

    Press release: https://www.columbiagrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/pr_01-22-1.pdf

    Balanced Bushel: http://balanced-bushel.com/

     

    Connect with Kevin Scott - the CPG expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-scott-14b14b7/

    About your Host Tony Moore and the Winning at Work podcast:

    • Are you looking for a fun and light-hearted podcast to stay current on the trends shaping the $1.6 trillion food and beverage industry? My totally awesome brands featured here take us deep into the world of sustainability, plant-based, food tech, CBD, and good for you. Want to learn how to grow a brand? Scale a brand? I've got you covered. 
  • Join me on my mission to discover what makes these companies different, better, and special.
  • Episode 118 is sponsored by: Timpl Search - National Food and Beverage headhunters for sales, marketing, innovation, and operations. https://www.joynussearch.com/
  • Contact: Tony Moore. 404-904-9235. Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/differentbetterspecialbrands/

    • Music from Uppbeat:

    https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/get-the-funk-in
    License code: SF3WUKBUJQULFHXE

     

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    jobTopia with Tony MooreBy Tony Moore
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