The Nourish with UNFI podcast is recording live from the UNFI Conventional Expo in Minneapolis. On this episode, the team sits down with Colleen Thompson, senior manager of brand engagement for UNFI Brands+. Colleen shares the latest produce innovations from Wild Harvest, Woodstock, and Koyo in addition to the variety of ways the Brands+ team supports retailers.

Of the $150 billion global cheese market, specialty cheese makes up a significant slice, and is a great option for grocers looking to expand their offering or simply differentiate themselves from their competition.  On this episode of Nourish, we talk with Rebekah Baker, Director of Cheese & Specialty at UNFI, on the company’s American Artisan Cheese and Specialty Program, the retailers who will benefit, and of course, cheese!

On the final live podcast from UNFI’s Spring & Summer show in Orlando, the Nourish crew ends it with a bang! Dorn Wenninger swings by to talk produce and floral and John Dalton from UNFI’s Brands+ team joins the show to talk about UNFI’s amazing portfolio of owned brands. The Nourish crews favorite ”find” of the show - a pizza making company called Talia will share their origin story. And UNFI’s president Chris Testa wraps up the show with his thoughts on the show. It’s a big finish to a fun week in Orlando.

The team is back at it live from the UNFI Orlando Show and this time they’re talking with Jody Barrick from UNFI’s Bakery/Deli team and Ron Selders from Tony’s Fine Foods. Melissa Zawada from UNFI’s Wellness team drops by with one of our favorite suppliers - Endangered Species. The takeaway from this episode, yes chocolate is a wellness product. You won’t want to miss this one.

Day 2 from the UNFI Orlando Show is off and running. Bob Kaufman from Woodstock Farms joins the crew to talk about how the pandemic has changed bulk nut sales, and how his team is bringing solutions to retailers. Joe Falvey and Nick Kutch are here to talk about Professional Services, including ways they’re helping retailers save money and drive traffic. And the team reflects on all they’re hearing from the first day at the show!

The Orlando Show kicks off with energy and enthusiasm. In our first live episode from the show, the team chats with the UNFI Events team about returning to in-person shows, they catch up with Aaron May from UNFI’s UpNext team, and they meet the newest winner of UNFI’s Pitch Slam - Kimba Williams from Kushae.

Outside of proximity to a store, consumers agree that the quality of fresh produce is one of the most important factors when choosing a grocery store. With such importance placed on one department that takes in around $70 billion in annual sales, we talk with Dorn Wenninger, SVP of Produce at UNFI to learn how retailers can make sure it remains the apple of the consumer’s eye.

Episode 6: In a rapidly evolving marketplace, how can the latest trends and insights help grocers prepare for a holiday season like no other? Laura Taylor and Nick Walker from UNFI’s insights and innovation team share their thoughts on the latest consumer trends and what grocers should be thinking about heading into the holidays.

Greg Ferrara, CEO of the National Grocers Association, joins the Nourish podcast to chat with the crew about this month’s NGA show in Las Vegas. Greg also discusses some of the many advocacy efforts the NGA has underway in Washington, shares his insights on what retailers should be thinking about in the year ahead, and talks about how the independent grocer continues to lead throughout the ongoing pandemic.

With millions of families at home during the pandemic, breakfast became one of the true winners as parents and kids alike reacquainted themselves with their favorite cereals. And they did so at all hours of the day. Mike Brown and Torrance Beard from the Kellogg’s team joins the Nourish podcast to share their insights on this category resurgence.