Lost in the Supermarket

Rise and shine, food enthusiasts! Brace yourselves as we pull back the curtain on the intriguing world of food prices with Ricky Volpe, the food economist and professor, who's here to share his wisdom. Discover why your grocery bills are skyrocketing and why food prices are not dropping. Hear Volpe's predictions of a slow but steady recovery in prices, and learn about the influence of climate change and global conflicts on food costs. This episode promises to unravel the enigma of food price formation, a must-listen for anyone looking to understand this complex issue.

The show continues to simmer as we stir up discussions about the tough tussle between retailers and CPG companies amidst rising food costs. How are retailers demanding transparency and justification for price increases? Why are more retailers investing in vertical integration and store brands? How have consumers changed their shopping habits during the pandemic? Ponder over the role of marketing in maintaining brand recognition and defying the stigma associated with store brands. This episode is a veritable feast of insights into the food industry, leaving you hungry for more. Tune in to explore the changing perceptions around store brands and to understand the crucial need for transparency in our food supply chain.

Explore the future of agriculture with Irving Fain, the CEO of Bowery Farming, as we venture into the world of indoor and vertical farming. Are you ready to discover how these innovative farming methods might be the game-changer in the face of climate change impacts? Climate anomalies such as severe droughts, wildfires and overuse of groundwater have disrupted traditional agriculture, making it even more challenging to meet the ever-increasing global food demand. We delve into these issues and highlight how vertical farming can offer a sustainable and efficient solution, while also engaging a new generation of tech-savvy farmers.

With vertical farming, advantages run deep for consumers, retailers, and of course, the environment. From offering longer shelf life and more nutritious produce, to providing transparency in growing practices, this revolutionary method is changing the way we grow our food. Imagine a world with reduced food waste and a streamlined growing process - that's what the technology behind vertical farming promises to deliver. 

In our final insights, we underscore the significance of vertical farming in the agricultural industry. We touch on how Bowery Farming, a leading indoor farming company, has been making remarkable strides in this field and their ambitious growth plans. With their progressive methods and tech-centric approach, they are not just shaping the future of agriculture, but providing an essential solution to the mounting challenges of our time. So, gear up to unearth the thrilling innovations and transformations in modern farming with us.

Ever pondered about the vital link in our food chain? Jaclyn Cardin, the Chief Brand Officer at Cropp Cooperative, joins us to unravel the essence of supporting Organic Valley - a brand that stands at the core of our food system. In an eye-opening discussion, Jaclyn paints the picture of Organic Valley's cooperative, operated and owned by humble family farmers, playing a crucial role in keeping these farms afloat. She unfolds the campaign "Protecting Where Your Food Choices Come From" and how ethically sourced, organic dairy safeguards over half a million acres of certified organic pasture land. You'll be thrilled to hear about her unique experience of bringing the farm to Rockefeller Center, New York City, showcasing that organic dairy, when done right, can be a sustainable solution for us all.

We've all heard of food stories, but, have you ever connected with your food through a farmer's story? Organic Valley's unique campaign aims to bridge consumers and farmers through the power of storytelling. Jaclyn shares the innovative use of social media platforms and farm tours that create an intimate connection between people and their food. Sparing no efforts, Organic Valley aims to position organic dairy as part of the climate solution and not the climate crisis, and how each one of us plays a role in this. Tune in to discover the profound connection to the source of our food, the survival odds of small family farms, the importance of sustainability and biodiversity, and how your choices as a consumer can shape the future of our food systems.

Imagine strolling down memory lane, only to find yourself at the intersection of journalism, farming, and climate change. That's exactly where I found myself during my recent conversation with multimedia maven and friend, Chip Carter. The founder of CBC3 Media and creator of the evocative television show, Where the Food Comes From. Chip and I unpacked the complexities of modern agriculture and the seismic challenges posed by climate change. Together, we navigated the hard truths about farming, exploring issues from the impacts of a changing climate on our farmers to the resilience required to overcome such adversity.

As we delved deeper into the labyrinth of agriculture, we found ourselves examining the role it plays in our daily lives, from the produce on our supermarket shelves to the mountainous waste we create. With Chip's insight, we untangle the thorny issue of food waste in the US, the organizations working tirelessly to reduce it, and how 'ugly' produce could be our secret weapon against this mammoth problem. In the final leg of our journey, we contemplate the evolving consumer landscape, the pressing need for sustainable business practices, and how we, as consumers, can play a part in this important change. So, buckle up and get ready for a conversation loaded with hard-hitting truths and eye-opening insights, where we talk everything from farming to food waste, consumer behaviors to climate change. Join us, and let's change the world, one bite at a time.

Are you starved for a brand that prioritizes transparency and a healthier lifestyle? Get ready to feast on an insightful conversation with Libby Pigg, the Chief Marketing Officer at 'That's It'. Libby walks us through her fascinating journey from being an 18-year veteran of Edelman Public Relations to leading a trailblazing health-food brand. Hear firsthand about how That's It's founder, Dr. Lior Lewensztain, flipped the script from prescriptive medicine to using food as a healing tool, a concept that turned a farmers market stall into a global brand.

We also turn the spotlight on the critical issue of food allergies. Libby shares on how That's It's partnership with FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) is reshaping purchase decisions in American households. Discover their ingenious strategies to gather customer feedback and how they are redefining flavor choices. Join us as Libby throws some light on the surprising insights they've gleaned from their consumers, and how they're subtly changing American palates to appreciate the real taste of fruit. Tune in for a conversation that promises a blend of marketing insights, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment towards healthier living.

Are you ready for a deep dive into the world of e-commerce law and how it could impact your daily life? Strap in as we navigate the tumultuous legal waters surrounding Amazon Prime, joined by Adam Kovacevich, founder of the Chamber of Progress. We'll examine the monumental FTC lawsuit against Amazon, a six-year-long battle that could be a game-changer for mega retailers. Ever wondered what might happen if Amazon Prime is broken up? We're breaking down the possibilities.

Beyond the lawsuit, we'll scrutinize the potential merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertson's, and what it could mean for the grocery business. Hear our thoughts on Lina Kahn's paper 'Amazon's Antitrust Paradox' and the future of her position as FTC chair. We'll also shed light on how the Biden administration's economic agenda might clash with the FTC's approach to Amazon Prime. What does this mean for small businesses, individual sellers, and Amazon Prime members? Listen in and find out.

Join us on a thrilling journey through the bustling marketplace of sustainability, guided by none other than Randi Kronthal-Sacco, a seasoned scholar from the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. Randi opens our eyes to the world of sustainable purchases, revealing that it only commands around 17-18% of the market share. However, she passionately argues that brands and marketers can flip this script by adopting sustainable supply chains and weaving those into their narratives. Moreover, she shares a triptych of points that brands should incorporate into their messaging - 'My Health', 'My Wealth', and 'My Personal World'.

As we traverse through the supermarket aisles, Randi enlightens us on the nuances of sustainable messaging. She illustrates the inadequacy of merely labeling products as 'sustainable', emphasizing the importance of crafting the right messages and combining a sustainable claim with a category claim for an 'amplifier effect'. We also delve into the reverberations of the pandemic, examining its impacts on consumer behavior and sustainable purchases. Tune in as we decode the complexities of sustainability, dissect the mechanics of sustainable communication, and forecast the future of sustainable purchases.

Be sure to check out the Effective Sustainability Communications: A Best Practice Guide for Brands & Marketers.

Are you ready to revolutionize the way you shop, eat, and live? Discover how generative AI is transforming the retail industry in our insightful discussion with Markus Stripf, co-founder of Spoon Guru. Markus explains how AI-powered chatbots can provide more intelligent, personalized experiences for consumers and shares an example of planning a dinner party with specific dietary needs.

But what about the challenges faced by open-source models like ChatGPT in ensuring accuracy and reliability? Markus reveals how Spoon Guru and Google's partnership aims to overcome these challenges by providing transparency, accuracy guarantees, and evidence-based advice. Don't miss this fascinating conversation exploring the future of Gen AI and its potential impact on the food world.

Amy Fox, Certified Nutritionist, and Founder, Food and Mood Lab, explains how food choices affect your performance.

There's a lot of information about food. However, missing largely from the public conversation is food and mood. Clearly, how we choose to fuel our bodies directly impacts how we feel and how we show up in all areas of our life. Food is our body’s fuel and it’s vital to make choices that allow you to perform better, boost energy, improve focus, and reduce stress. To educate the public and practitioners about food and its impact on mood, Certified Nutritionist Amy Fox founded the Food and Mood Lab, including her Master Your Mood video series with food and wellness tips and information on how to boost energy, live healthy and feel great.

Today, Phil talks with Russ Morton, Mary Ginder and Tracy Frey to discuss Constant Contact’s AI Content Generator and how this technology can be used for food and grocery retailers to automate the copy drafting process for email, text and social media marketing campaigns.

Russ Morton, Chief Product Officer at Constant Contact  - As chief product officer, Russ Morton leads Constant Contact’s product roadmap and user experience initiatives, leveraging new and innovative technologies to build the marketing tools of the future for small businesses and nonprofits.

Mary Ginder, Owner of Gindo's Spice of Life - Mary and Chris Ginder co-own Gindo's Spice of Life, a small business based in St. Charles, Ill. that produces handcrafted hot sauces and spice blends.

Tracy Frey, Market Manager at Williamsburg Farmers Market - As Market Manager, Tracy oversees all the planning and operations for the Williamsburg Farmers Market, which operates 44 weeks a year on Saturday mornings.