In this week’s episode, Chris lets us tag along for an exclusive tour of Peace Coffee’s roasting facility, located in Minneapolis, MN! Hear from Lee Wallace, Peace Coffee CEO, and Jackson O’Brien, Head Brewer, about how Peace Coffee got their start, their commitment to Fair Trade, and how they build relationships with small-scale farmers. 

This month, we’re taking a deep dive into our favorite and most essential caffeinated beverage – coffee. Hear from SPINS Senior Retail Insights Manager Jim Olson about coffee’s sales performance at INFRA stores and developing trends in ready-to-drink and lactose-free. We also talk bulk coffee and how to distinguish between different coffee blends and origins, from a bright Ethiopian light roast to a dark French roast.  

Don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’ll chat with a coffee expert from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, whose mission is to source the world’s best coffees while challenging supply chain norms.

The Buyer’s Desk may (or may not) be ending its run, but don’t worry! Our INFRA podcast team has enlightening wisdom for managing store stressors in this extra zen episode. Tune in for tips on keeping your calm in any situation, even when dealing with that one customer’s toe fungus (ew) or answering questions about grass-fed salmon (since when do salmon eat grass?)  

So, grab your deep-breathing exercises, because this episode is full of peaceful, and perhaps questionable, advice. 

Oh, and just in case you didn’t catch that... April Fools! 

In this week's episode, Common Roots co-producers Hailey Craig and Madeleine Ware team up for a special crossover episode to chat with Sam Mogannam, second-generation owner of Bi-Rite Family of Businesses

Located in San Francisco, CA, Bi-Rite has been a Bay Area staple for transparent, responsible foods since its founding in 1940. We get the inside scoop (pun intended) on how Sam’s culinary background has impacted his passion for sourcing high-quality ingredients, Bi-Rite's journey towards B-Corp certification, and Bi-Rite's unique Creamery operation.  

In this week’s episode, we discuss the B Corp certification with Elizabeth Stein, Founder of Purely Elizabeth. Tune in for an enlightening discussion about Purely Elizabeth’s early adoption of the B Corp Certification and how it has inspired them to be more pro-active when it comes to building and maintaining ethical business practices. Plus, get a sneak peek into Purely Elizabeth’s latest cookie granola line! 

Next week, we have a special cross-over episode with Common Roots where we’ll hear from Sam Mogannam, Second-Generation Owner of the Bi-Rite Family of Businesses.  

In this week’s episode, Angela Bozo sits down with Ryan Honeyman from Lift Economy, a self-proclaimed B-Corp “nerd” and expert who has guided numerous food and retail companies through the certification process. He touches on the three main components of B Corp certification, the recent shifts B Labs is making to its certification standards, and how creating more circularity in your business practices can lead to more efficient operations.  

Next week, we have a fascinating conversation with Elizabeth Stein, Founder of Purely Elizabeth, about their journey towards B Corp certification and sneak peek into their new cookie granola line!  

In this week’s episode, Chris, Angela, and Jim take you through the B Corp Basics, exploring the certification’s impact on businesses, consumers, and the environment. Whether you view B-Corp as a tool for consumers to make informed shopping decisions or a way for companies to hold themselves accountable to their better business goals, stay tuned for fresh perspectives on B-Corp throughout the month of March.  

Next week, we’ll chat with Ryan Honeyman from LIFT Economy, a B Corp consulting firm, about how businesses can obtain certification. See you then!  

This episode is brought to you by Equal Exchange.  

In this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk, Chris, Angela, and INFRA Category Manager Jared Peterson break down the nitty-gritty of effective category management – roundtable style! Listen in for tactical tips about how you can balance data with larger customer trends, use aesthetics to your advantage, and win in every category.  

Next month, we kick off our March B-Corp theme with a SPINS data discussion. Don’t miss it!  

In this episode, Chris and Supply Agreement Assortment Lead Aprille Thurheimer sit down with KeHE Account Managers Kelly O’Neil, Jessica Williams, and Nick Mattheissen to explore how category management drives success in natural food retailing. They dive into how data insights like APL and item gap reports help retailers refine product assortments, plus the power of hyperlocal strategies and smart merchandising. Get the inside scoop on planograms, measuring reset success, and innovative product programs that can take your category management to the next level! 

Be sure to tune in next week where we'll wrap it all up with a category management roundtable!

In this week’s episode, Angela chats with Daniel Scharff, the Founder of Startup CPG, about how startup brands can use category management knowledge to get their products into stores. They also discuss the importance of balancing product innovation with recognizability, the passion and curiosity buyers and brand innovators bring to CPG, and more.  

Tune in next week, where Chris will chat with our partners from KeHE about how they support retailers with category reviews and more.