IFT Sci Dish

Humans have been eating microalgae for thousands of years. With consumers looking for innovativeand sustainableproducts, microalgae ispopping up asauniqueingredient in modern timesas well.In this episode, we will hear the ways microalgae production is becoming more efficientand what the environmental impact of commercializing microalgae productionis. We will also learn what ingredients can be replaced by using microalgae. Listen in to hear how this microscopic organism is shaking up the food system.

Speaker: Alexander Mathys, ETH Zurich

It wasn’t long ago that the generally accepted view of growing food indoors was not commercially viable. As technology improves and input costs decrease, growing food indoors vertically is becoming more common and more efficient. Our speaker, Jim Pantaleo, speaks on his own experience as an indoor farm manager and advisor. Listen in to hear about the challenges and opportunities of indoor farming, how an indoor farm is like Costco, and to find many resources on the topic.

 

Guest Speaker: Jim Pantaleo

How do you create apple pie flavoring when everyone has their own memory of their favorite apple pie? This episode’s guests will help! Dave Franz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at FlavorSum, and Lisa Jackson, Director of Marketing, join us to talk about the flavor industry. We explore why consumers may like or dislike a certain taste, and the challenges that product developers may experience when launching new flavored products. We also discuss guardrails to consider when launching foods and beverages and get insights into the end-to-end process of product development. This podcast is brought to you by FlavorSum.

With up to 40,000 products in a grocery store, many consumers are on auto–pilot when deciding what products to buy. Most management consultants would say their greatest challenges are the ones that involve change management. When consumers find a set of products and foods they like, they typically don’t want those things to change. Yet we are seeing more change in the space of consumer wants and needs than ever before. This podcast we hear from a food scientist and anthropologist about what the plant–based food industry can learn from Tesla, or about the importance of understanding the ‘Job’ consumers are hiring your product to do.

 

Speaker: Kevin Ryan, CEO & Founder, Malachite Strategy and Research, LLC

How human connection drives trends.

Where do businesses start when they want to develop a new product and how do you know this product will be a hit with consumers? This episode dives into the difficulties that occur at the beginning of product development, and how important it is for consumers to connect with a product to transform a hip fad to a lasting trend. Our guest, Amy Shipley shares her insights on how to get past the difficult beginnings of product development.  

Speakers: 

Amy Shipley, Managing Director and Partner, Sterling-Rice Group 

How human connection drives trends.

Where do businesses start when they want to develop a new product and how do you know this product will be a hit with consumers? This episode dives into the difficulties that occur at the beginning of product development, and how important it is for consumers to connect with a product to transform a hip fad to a lasting trend. Our guest, Amy Shipley shares her insights on how to get past the difficult beginnings of product development.  

Speakers: 

Amy Shipley, Managing Director and Partner, Sterling-Rice Group 

The importance of pivoting and how the covid-19 pandemic is helping create a more equitable food system

The Covid-19 global pandemic has changed everything, and the food system is no different. In this episode, we listen to how various companies adapted to the rapidly changing health crisis, including creating entirely new products, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of the future of nutrition.   

 Speakers:  

 1: Julie Meyer, RDN, Founder of Eatwellglobal, a nutrition consulting company https://eatwellglobal.com/ 

 2: Tim Goulette, Ph.D., BERS Analytical Lab Manager, Anheuser-Busch 

How integrating sensory science in the collaborative process contributes to product success.

As many companies are often looking for a competitive advantage to improve product success, it is critical that sensory scientists become an integrated part of the conversation. Sensory evaluation can help predict product success when implemented appropriately. This podcast will help listeners understand the value of sensory science and how it can help their organizations succeed. It will also help sensory and other food professionals better position themselves to contribute to product success as members of cross functional teams. 

Speakers:  

Chow-Ming Lee, PhD., Consumer Sensory Lead, Bayer 

Cindy Ward, PhD., Owner, Sensation Research