This episode is brought to you by Harken Sweets.

This week, we’re digging into a hefty topic: the Federal Trade Commission’s anti-trust case against Amazon. In this episode, Ron Knox, Senior Researcher and Policy Advocate at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), explains Amazon’s “monopoly flywheel” of predatory business practices raising prices across the internet. He breaks down the background of the case, where it stands today, and what it could mean for independents in the struggle against growing monopoly power.

This episode is brought to you by PUR Gum.

This week, Pat is joined by Kristie Cerutti, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Impact at Ancient Nutrition. Kristie discusses how Ancient Nutrition works to continually evaluate and minimize its environmental impact through initiatives including Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC), farmer support, and packaging changes. She also shares strategies for independents to successfully sell ROC products, despite their premium price tag.

This episode is brought to you by Little Sesame Hummus.

Back-to-school season is here, and that means it’s time to start filling lunchboxes again! In this episode, Senior Category Manager Kim Route and SPINS Expert Jim Olson chat about top-performing brands across INFRA stores that are both kid-approved and better-for-you. They cover the natural swaps for all the lunchbox staples, from sandwiches to fruit snacks and meat sticks, plus convenient options for busy parents.

This episode is brought to you by Ice Cream for Bears.

This week, we're revisiting our Common Roots conversation with Vickie Bacon, Owner of Highland Nutrition Center in Highland, IL. Located in a small town with less than 10,000 people, Vickie shares how prioritizing community involvement has cemented Highland Nutrition Center as an important fixture in their community. Plus, learn more about how they’ve leveraged INFRA’s promotional programs to drive sales and deliver value to their customers.

This episode is brought to you by Poppi.

This week, Jessy Beckett Parr, Chief Program Officer at California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) joins Pat for an in-depth conversation about the transition to organic agriculture. She discusses challenges for farmers, explains the impacts of CCOF and federal programming, and explores the future of the organic. Plus, she offers concrete ways that buyers can propel the organic movement.

This week, Angela sits down with Amelia Rappaport, HR Director and Partner at Woodstock Farmers’ Market in Vermont, to explore the relationships, values, and intentional choices that have helped the store thrive for decades. Amelia shares how a commitment to inclusion and accessibility shapes everything from daily operations to the customer experience, and why truly believing in the products you carry is one of the most important qualities a buyer can bring to the role.

This episode is brought to you by Olipop.

It's Independent Retailer Month, and Pat and Jim are celebrating what makes independent retailers such a powerful force in their communities and across the industry. Tune in as they explore the unique balance between independence and interdependence, sharing how retailers can stay true to their values while leveraging the strength of collaboration. Plus, get an inside look at what to expect from the INFRA Annual Conference Tabletop Buying Show and hear about some of the emerging brands generating excitement on the show floor.

Join Pat on this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk for an inspiring conversation with Megan Westgate, Founder, CEO and Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project and the Food Integrity Collective. Megan unpacks how independent retailers have been major catalysts in improving food integrity since the early days of the natural foods movement, and how they can continue to lead as concerns around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) rise. Plus, she explores the importance of grounding movements in love, how eating connects us to the earth, and the how restoring the food system will cause positive ripple effects far beyond our industry.

In this week’s episode, Angela and Jim chat about exciting changes to the SPINS platform. With their new industry-trained AI tool, SPINS Intelligence, retailers can get quick snapshots of data insights and broad overviews without getting in the weeds with the data. Plus, tune in for an in-depth conversation exploring AI’s environmental impacts and the necessity of both artificial and human intelligence in business decision-making.

This episode is brought to you by Better Sour.

This week on The Buyer’s Desk, we're diving into a hot topic; the "re-rise" of dairy. In recent years, we've seen plant-based losing popularity, replaced with traditional dairy products like premium butters, raw milk, and yogurts. What's going on with this category, and what does it mean for independent retailers? Jim and Promotional Programs Manager Jared get into it in this week's episode - from A2/A2 and protein dairy trends to merchandising opportunities.