Send us a text

Reconnected Podcast with Frank Schuck

Join Luke Abbott as he sits down with Frank Schuck, a Grocery Merchandiser at PCC, the nation's largest food co-op. Frank shares his journey from the specialty food stores of New York City to leading roles at Whole Foods and beyond.

In this episode, Frank talks about:

• How and where his passion for cheese and specialty foods born.
• The transformation he has been through, and how he adopted a plant-based diet.
• The evolution of natural and organic food retail and its shift toward transparency, sustainability, and high-quality products.
• The challenges and opportunities in the food industry, from supply chain fragility to supporting local producers.
• How PCC makes decisions about personalized curation of product categories.

Don’t miss this episode—listen now!

Send us a text

Tune in to the Reconnected Podcast, hosted by Luke Abbott with Dan Altschuler, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Unovis Asset Management, as he shares his journey as an impact investor focused on transforming food systems. In this episode, they dive deep into the journeys of entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers. 

Dan’s professional journey began in banking in Mexico, where he worked with large food corporations. Later, he managed a logistics firm, gaining experience with CPG and food service companies. Dan launched his own CPG venture, Bodhi Natural Snacks, which turned into a five-year "roller coaster" of entrepreneurship. Throughout that experience, he faced nearly every challenge imaginable, making plenty of mistakes but walking away with invaluable lessons.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• Dan's Path to Impact Investing: Dan opens up about their time running Bodhi Natural Snacks, a 5-year entrepreneurial rollercoaster that was filled with hard-earned lessons.
• Partnership with Chris Kerr: Learn about Dan's collaboration with Chris Kerr, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain and Strategic Sourcing and seasoned investor in early-stage companies.
• Investment Philosophy: Dive into Dan's approach to investing—what criteria does he look for in entrepreneurs and businesses? How does his philosophy drive his sense of purpose?
• Challenges for Emerging Brands: Explore the challenges Dan has seen in emerging brands, particularly in navigating the complexities of distribution and scaling. What advice does he offer to founders aiming to make a significant impact?

Tune in and hear how forward-thinking entrepreneurs and investors are shaping the future of food through innovation and purpose-driven action.

Send us a text

Tune in to the Reconnected Podcast, where Luke Abbott sits down with Justin Jackson, the COO of Jimbo's—one of the leading Markets in the Natural Space! Starting at just 10 years old, Justin began his career path in a small grocery store in Boston, eventually moving into specialty food retail during his late teens. Today, Justin is focused on refreshing the brand, optimizing operations, and building a solid merchant team. Under his leadership, Jimbo's is not just staying ahead of the curve but redefining what it means to be a leader in natural and organic retail.

Here are some topics covered in this podcast:

• Sustainability and change in the food industry.
• The evolution of the grocery industry and the importance of staying true to one's mission and values.
• Building business partnerships and the challenges in the natural food industry.
• Understanding the needs of each link in the supply chain to ensure successful delivery of products to end users.

Tune in today!

Send us a text

In this episode of Reconnected, host Luke Abbott sits with Jenny Eu, founder of Three Trees Foods, a leading brand in plant-based milk. Jenny shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting at farmers' markets and bootstrapping her way into a national brand.

Inspired by her grandmother's independence and love for nature, as well as her father's seamless blend of work and personal life, Jenny developed a deep passion for clean, nourishing foods. As a mother of two, she has been leading Three Trees with intention and dedication.

Some of the topics Jenny and Luke talked about are:

• Profitability and smart growth
• Balancing business and family life
• How to bring innovation forward
• The challenges of distribution and working with brokers and national distributors as an independent brand.

Tune in to hear Jenny Eu's inspiring story and insights into plant-based food entrepreneurship!

Send us a text

In this episode, Luke Abbott is joined by Dwight Richmond, Director of the Center Store at Town & Country Markets, who has 30 years of experience in the grocery retail industry. Dwight's career in the food industry began fresh out of college, working in grocery stores, and progressed through roles at Freshfields (later Whole Foods), Dean and DeLuca, K Foods, and eventually leading him to Town and Country Markets, where he currently oversees a team and their private label program. His journey was influenced by his family's legacy in the food industry and included significant experience in both retail and distribution.

Some of the topics Luke and Dwight covered in this episode include:

• Strategies for young brands to succeed in conventional retail environments.
• Challenges and strategies in seasonal retail operations.
• Importance of local sourcing and quality in product development.
• Navigating the dynamics between specialty and natural food stores.
• Authenticity and customer-centric branding in grocery retail.
• Insights into managing and developing a private label program.

Send us a text

Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by one of his best friend and earliest clients, Kerry Song, a fellow vegan entrepreneur and founder of Abbot's. Abbot’s Butcher crafts delicious, whole-food, plant-based products available in over 4,000 locations nationwide.

Luke and Kerry share their personal journeys in the food industry, highlighting their commitment to sustainability, supply chain transparency, and prioritizing customer experience. Kerry recounts her path from an accidental entrepreneur to the CEO of Abbot's, beginning at Farmer's Markets and gradually scaling up her plant-based food brand. 

Join Luke Abbott and Kerry Song for an inspiring conversation on the Reconnected Podcast!

Send us a text

Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by an experienced food industry professional and long-time friend, Rich Gillmore, the VP of Center Store at Gelson's. Rich is bringing 37+ years of retail experience from Gelson's, southern california specialty grocer and supermarket chain VONS.  

Tune in as Luke and Rich share personal experiences and reflect on the challenges they've faced through their professional career.

Send us a text

Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke sits down with Nicolas Mindel, co-founder of Amberstone, to explore his fascinating journey through the realms of finance, investment, and the consumer products industry. Amberstone is an investment firm that supports entrepreneurs and focuses on scaling brand-first consumer product companies into nationally recognized category leaders. 

Nick and Luke discuss the intricacies of building strong relationships with entrepreneurs and the significance of investing in smaller rounds to support early-stage companies. They emphasize the importance of responsible growth and valuation discovery, particularly highlighting the rapid expansion of health and wellness brands in the market.

Join Luke Abbott and Nick Mindel for an enlightening conversation on venture capital, investment strategies, and the future of natural brands in the food industry on the Reconnected Podcast.

Send us a text

Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by Ron Selders, President of  the Fresh Division at UNFI, as they delve into the current state of distribution and Ron's extensive experience spanning 28 years with Tony’s Fine Foods and UNFI.

Ron brings a wealth of knowledge and insights from his journey within the industry, from entry-level roles to his current position as President of Fresh food distribution at UNFI. Together, Luke and Ron explore the nuances of leadership, growth, and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of fresh food distribution.

Throughout the episode, Luke and Ron delve into the qualities that make a successful leader, including building strong relationships, fostering a supportive team environment, and facilitating individual excellence. They also examine the intricacies of fresh food retailing, highlighting the significance of understanding consumer preferences and fostering mutually beneficial relationships between suppliers and retailers.

Send us a text

In this episode, Luke is joined by Brian Scott, president of Gourmet Foods International, as they delve into the food industry's intricate world of supply chain management. 

From his roots in Omaha, Nebraska, to his current role as president of Gourmet Foods International, Brian's journey epitomizes the essence of leadership, growth, and innovation in the ever-evolving food supply chain.

They discussed the importance of reconnecting supply chains for improved transparency and operational efficiency. They emphasized the role of drivers and distribution centers in the food industry and highlighted the significance of leadership, culture, and supply chain management. They also explored the parallels between wrestling and business leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, risk-taking, and emotional intelligence.

Join Luke Abbott and Brian Scott on the Reconnected Podcast as they explore the intricacies of food distribution, leadership, and innovation in the food industry.