Let This Simmer

Episode 6 of The Market Minute we will be looking at everything we know on the Cyclospora outbreak and what our friends at Markon are saying. 

After a long battle of keeping a New World Screwworm infestation in Mexico at bay, the US has recorded at least 15 cases in cattle north of the border. What does that mean for us? In short, things look promising.

The latest Market Minute dives into a subject affecting... well, everything. The conflict in Iran is a constantly evolving event with no real solution in sight. This episode breaks down what we do know and how we can be prepared.

With the Gulf Coast Food Show only a week away, we had just the Houstonian in mind to speak to! Both a DSM and Category Manager of the Year, guest Samantha Fuller is already a leader in the Gulf Coast division and she's just getting started. We covered her trajectory through the company, the decision to jump from DSM to Category Manager, her passion for produce, and much more. We think it's a great way to kick off Let This Simmer in 2026!

Produce is the backbone of our company, and this year we have something big to celebrate...Markon’s 40th anniversary!  In honor of this milestone, Chris sat down with Markon CEO, Andy Hamilton, for an episode you won’t want to miss. Andy shares the rich history between Markon and Ben E. Keith, his journey to becoming CEO, and the values that make - and will continue to make - Markon the leader in foodservice produce.

Episode 3 of The Market Minute looks into a topic we're all very aware of: tariffs. But it's not just the data behind the tariffs themselves... it's the way we are educating our operators on the facts of this situation.

This month, it’s a meeting of the podcast minds … Chris sat down with Gulf Coast’s Business Solutions Manager and host of “The Dish,” Carrie Collins! Carrie discussed her unique journey into foodservice, her passion for our company culture, her thoughts on our customer’s needs and more! It’s well worth your time to hear these two behind the mic.

Our second episode of The Market Minute looks into the question being asked all over the country: "what's up with these beef prices?" We dig in to the why on the staggering numbers in the beef market and what our operators should be aware of heading into the future.

We hear there may be a big event headed Ben E. Keith's way, so we thought it would be good to talk to someone on the inside about it. This month, Chris sat down with Project Pioneer's Director of Purchasing Transformation, David Bentancourt! Chris and David discussed his journey at Ben E. Keith that lead him to this role and a candid look at the upcoming transition. In our opinion, it's a must listen.

The "Let This Simmer" Network is adding a bonus series: "The Market Minute." These short pieces will dive into a variety of trends that may affect the restaurant industry, whether that be a supply shortage, a recall, a change in tastes by consumers... the list goes on. This piece will be delivered through the same site as the "Let This Simmer" podcast two weeks after the main pod drops.

Episode one looks into a trend that can no longer be looked at as a fad: the GLP-1 industry. If it isn't going away, are we addressing it with our customers?