The Produce Moms Podcast

"We are encouraging women to bring their capabilities to the table in a way that's unapologetic."

Jill Overdorf (25:15-25:24)

Jill Overdorf is one of the first women who had the "boss lady" mentality and reputation in the produce industry and rightfully so! She's strong, powerful, unapologetic and a key stakeholder in the empowerment of women across the board. She's technically been in the industry since "starting her own culinary business" at the age of 13! From pushing hand carts, picking produce, driving box trucks and working 20 years as an executive chef, Jill has done it all without letting anything get in the way of her confident drive.

Now the Director of Business Development at Naturipe, Jill never expected to dive into the produce industry. After graduating with a major in film and communication, she went to the Culinary Institute of America and was offered two jobs directly after graduating – one in New Zealand and one opening a restaurant in Manhattan. Jill recalls, "I was terrified of Manhattan. I grew up in Boston and Manhattan scared the bejeezus out of me, so that's the job that I chose."

From there, Jill has worked as an executive chef at exciting locations like Dreamwork Studios and the Getty Museum, while living on every single continent as a way to embrace all of our different cultures and the way they utilize food to come together in harmony. Jill eventually came aboard Naturipe to join the already strong roster of powerful women and was wowed by Naturipe's focus on "our ability as individuals – our strengths, our intellect and our capabilities as a person," not gender.

"To have somebody say, 'I need your help', is really empowering because that means your voice has been understood and appreciated… and then to be able to say to those same people that you need help offers a reciprocal opportunity that is so important in any relationship, but especially when you're elevating women." Jill Overdorf (11:50-12:12)

Naturipe does an incredible job at giving everyone the ability to be as autonomous as they need to be, while also supporting one another to elevate each other and the entire industry. There's plenty of women who reach out to one another for help and support, which Jill appreciates because it shows her/your voice has been understood and appreciated. It's incredibly important to have that reciprocal support, especially when elevating women, and a safe environment to ask for help.

Even though COVID was challenging for Jill especially because of the lack of connectivity we all had, she loves that Naturipe made it a point to have regular team calls and a transparent line of communication. It takes a team to be successful and Naturipe is a great example of valuing everyone as an individual for their capabilities and strengths, regardless of their gender.

Lori and Jill both recall the days of attending produce industry conferences just 20 years ago where there were hardly any women there. Cat calling was prominent, cursory glances and getting "looked up and down" on the market floor by men. Now, there's a long line to wait for the women's restroom at these conferences and certainly less of a fight to "prove yourself" as a woman. It's no surprise Jill has received comments of, "who do you think you are!?" because she's never been afraid to walk in a room and ask questions without qualifying who she is or why she deserves to be there.

"Confidence is disarming. Confidence in men and strong women is disarming." Jill Overdorf (23:56-24:10)

Whether you're a woman just entering the produce industry looking towards the future, or one who's been experiencing the same transformation for years, Jill reminds all women that "it's okay to be smart, it's okay to ask questions, and it's okay to push the boundaries if you're doing it in a way that's sincere."

We all want to better the system regardless of race, religion, creed or gender. Bringing your voice to the table to be heard (with confidence) is a must in the produce industry, and using your intelligence with apology. Your ideas, questions, observations and thoughts are needed to keep the industry evolving for the greater good. If you're a woman who's been in the industry for years, when you see a "rising star" or "new kid on the block", help them out! Introduce them to their next potential job or boss, help them understand the "unwritten rules", lift them up, empower them, and ask them for support on things you might not know too!

Jill's last remarks are a must read. She shares with us that "it's my personal mission to have all of my interactions be positive and impact that person's life in a way that is memorable and important. Whether it's the checkout woman at the grocery store or someone who's harvesting for us in the fields, we have a responsibility as individuals to acknowledge other sentient individuals as human living beings. Be kind, be respectful, acknowledge their presence and hope that it'll impact that person's day in a way that's positive."

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"If you don't have the next generation of kids going back to their family business or starting new farming operations, we're going to have a problem in 20 or 30 years."

Walt Dasher (20:24-20:35)

Walt Dasher is the proud owner of third-generation, family-owned G&R Farms where they do more than just grow delicious Vidalia and Preuvian onions, they are fostering the Future Farmers of America (FFA) through a program Walt started called Growing America's Farmers. G&R Farms has always hired local kids in or just out of high school to do additional work during the summer, like driving tractors, for example. But in 2015, not one single application came Walt's way when in years prior they'd always have an immediate and great response.

On top of it, many of the applicants that Walt interviewed had time restrictions, couldn't work the hours required, and weren't seeing this work as the great opportunity it is. Walt reached out to Katrina Jones, Executive Director of The Georgia FFA Foundation, and asked if she could help connect him to local high schoolers and teachers. Her response? Walt's search was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"We're seeing that the kids who grew up on a farm or are associated with a family farm aren't choosing to go back into the family business. They are electing to move out into other careers. Nobody wants to do what you do anymore," said Katrina.

Walt experienced this first hand when visiting a local high school to speak and a high school boy who could inherit his family's (very successful) local farm wanted to go into a career in accounting. Walt was stunned to find out this boy believed that "true American farming companies are going to be a thing of the past because the retail industry could care less where the product comes from, whether it's from America or Asia or somewhere else". Walt had to explain that the reason companies buy products in other countries is because they can't source enough of the product domestically! If they could find everything locally in America, they would buy everything that's available.

"I'm sitting here thinking to myself that other kids in his same position around the country have the same mindset that they feel like the American retail industry or American consumers don't truly support American agriculture." Walt Dasher (30:00-30:17)

Inspired, Walt shared this information with one of his retail partners and wanted to do something to change the overall perception of retailers and farms in America. Walt started Growing America's Farmers in 2015 to raise awareness through the retail industry. They created their own packaging and point-of-sale material, put it in stores, and embarked on a fundraising program to raise awareness and help young American farmers continue on legacies that are becoming a thing of the past.

In 2015 the average age of an American farmer was 58 years old. Today it's 60, which shows the average age of an American family farmer is still declining because grandchildren in their 20s and 30s aren't coming back to the farm.

The majority of larger retail companies east of Texas have embraced Growing America's Farmers, which brings FFA kids into retail locations to interact with customers. Oftentimes there are lines of 15-20 consumers waiting to talk to the FFA students, ask them questions about their family's history, the farm's history, their future plans, facts about growing and more. A large percentage of the kids Growing America's Farmers was able to financially back are now continuing on into the field.

COVID-19 changed the way Growing America's Farmers had to operate – from packing, to shipping, to transportation, to how products were being displayed, because retailers and consumers alike were terrified of what the coronavirus might bring. Walt used this as an opportunity to change their core marketing message and further drive home the point of needing to be informed of where your food is sourced and is coming from, especially with the heightened concerns COVID-19 brought us.

"You're dealing with a pandemic that nobody's ever even imagined. If you're concerned about the safety of the food stores, this is why it is so critical to know more about your food source and where it comes from." Walt Dasher (40:27-40:51)

What would you rather eat? A piece of produce grown in a country you aren't familiar with, have no idea when it was harvested or any of the safety procedures taken when transporting it here, or a piece of produce grown right here in America, where you know the date it was harvested and from what field, and where you can meet the kids or the family who grew it?

There's a need for the American consumer to be comfortable and know where their food source comes from and the Growing America's Farmers program can help you with that. Their onion program is on shelves now and will be operating in three retailers east of Texas from May to June, and then west Texas from June to July. Consumers can go to their local retailer, enjoy the customized packaging which tells a story about where their food came from. Growing America's Farmers also has the goal of getting FFA kids back into stores in front of consumers (which was ceased because of COVID-19 restrictions) so they can interact with one another and educate buyers on their farm and produce.

Find out more about G&R Farms' delicious onions by visiting www.grfarmsonions.com and where to connect with Growing America's Farmers next at www.growingamericasfarmers.com.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"We fight through the growing pains because that's what we love to do. We see it as failure not being an option because this is our life. It's truly empowering."

Carley Parsley (5:57-6:12)

Carley Parsley's family are fifth generation farmers and third generation blueberry growers at Brookside Farms (they've been growing since the early 50s). Even though Carley is the Direct of Food Safety, being a part of a family owned business means you do a little bit of everything! Growing up helping out on a farm, Carley has always known this is where she belonged and she's seen the industry go from male-dominated to one that's welcoming and empowering of women across the entire supply chain.

Spending her summers working on her family's farm side-by-side her dad, uncle and mom sparked a passion inside Carley that made her feel innately like that's where she was meant to be. She interned with Natureripe Farms before graduating with a marketing and management degree in hopes it would benefit the farm. Even as a young girl involved in 4H, Carley always felt empowered by her supervisors and family with access to the tools and encouragement she needed to succeed, while growing and learning along the way.

So much has changed for Carley along her career in the blueberry industry. For example, 12 years ago, food safety used to be an afterthought whereas today it's evolved into a full time job! And up until a few years ago, it'd be rare to see a woman attending a blueberry growers' conference. Now? Let's just say the last conference Carley went to only had one man that attended! Thanks to a push by leadership and a desire by women to get more involved, there are more and more job opportunities for women in the blueberry industry, even at the farm level.

"[My family] gave us the tools that we needed and the encouragement until we figured it out. We did whatever it took to get the job done." Carley Parsley (5:35-5:45)

Carley sees a deep meaning to Women's History Month, especially when applying it to agriculture. Women have been side-by-side male farmers and growers doing their role for centuries. During that time, women were the silent voices in farming operations and behind the scenes. Their day-to-day role was often taken for granted and now we get to honor these women!

"My grandpa was the face of our farms for a long time, and then it was my dad, and then my uncle. Now that roles and changing opportunities for women are changing, they're taking the step to take advantage of opportunities to have a voice and say in where the industry is headed." Carley Parsley (13:57-14:19)

The role women play in food in agriculture goes back centuries and has alway been important, but now today we can empower women even more with the unique opportunities available to be a part of the changes we'd like to see in our industry. Carley's mom started out in the marketing office for Michigan Blueberry Growers, a co-op, and she worked with just a few other women in the accounting side of the business, but it was predominantly males. It's changed significantly now, and Carley considers her mom a trailblazer as a woman leading the industry.

"I hope opportunities will continue to be available to women as time continues to progress and that they'll be able to play vital roles." Carley Parsley (19:42-19:55)

Who is Carley's role model? Her mom. Carley says, "She's the example of sacrifice and the sacrifice it's taken to get our farm. She's worked two jobs for most of our farm's growing years just to support my dad and my uncle. She sacrifices her time and she's never let me have the thought that there's something I can't do. She's always empowered me to do whatever I set my mind to."

Her grandma, who passed away last year, is also a role model of Carley's and a woman who was a part of the change we've seen in the blueberry industry. Her grandma wanted to share blueberries with everyone and that passion and desire to educate people on where the food they enjoy has come from, which Carley credits to being one of the greatest impacts of her life.

It's clear that across the blueberry and produce industry, we've evolved greatly into a space where women have opportunities to be heard, take on the roles they desire and are empowered to create the change we want to see for many years to come. You can find out more about Carley and the delicious blueberry products her family farm has to offer by visiting: https://www.brooksidefarmsmi.com/.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"The system is not set up to facilitate wellness and health. My goal is to help connect regular people with the current research and help make a difference in their lives and help reduce the global burden of Alzheimer's."

Tamara Claunch (34:51-35:18)

Tamara Claunch had a first hand experience with Alzheimer's that left her feeling hopeless. Her grandmother passed away in 2008 from Alzheimer's related complications and, after watching her get sicker and sicker over many years with no way to help, it left Tamara worrying about how she would end up (both her great-grandmother and grandmother had it).

Her concern drove her to start reading the latest international Alzheimer's research and was surprised to find out how many things you can do to reduce your risk of getting the disease. She started working for The Center For Applied Research and Dementia where she helped individuals with late-stage Alzheimer's use a therapeutic rehabilitative approach that enabled them to re-learn how to eat, communicate and perform other basic functions we don't usually see someone late-stage be able to do again.

Tamara went on to work with other organizations like Dementia Alliance International and Apollo Health, which further showed Tamara all that's available for us to do to prevent and protect ourselves against Alzheimer's. Now with her Brain Beautiful Method, taught through digital courses and one-on-one coaching sessions, Tamara teaches people how to transform their body into a Living Laboratory, cultivating a garden of brain-supportive habits unique to yourself. Her four micro-courses, Nourish, Move, Calm and Rest, focus on the core essentials of defending against Alzheimer's (proper nutrition, exercise and stress management).

"If I had a magic wand and could make everybody eat in a Brain Beautiful way, half of their plate would be green leafy vegetables, it would incorporate probiotics or prebiotics bacteria, and include non-starchy vegetables and eating a rainbow seasonal produce." Tamara Claunch (26:14-26:54)

We all know proper nutrition and physical activity is essential for health, but how does it affect your risk for Alzheimer's? By following the Brain Beautiful Method and eating properly, getting the right kind and right amount of exercise, not smoking, not having unhealthy alcohol habits, and engaging in cognitive stimulation activities, you can cut your risk for getting Alzheimer's by 60%! When it comes to fitness, what's most important is getting your blood flowing because when blood pumps through your body, it's bringing vital nutrients to your brain. A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week is standard, and exercise like high intensity interval training (HIIT) has proven to be highly effective. Even if you or someone you know doesn't have that ability for such vigorous exercise, Tamara suggests walking! Our bodies are designed for it and if you start tracking your steps, you can do just a little bit more each day.

"One of the most important functions of sleep is cleaning out the brain at night. When we go to sleep at night and we get into deep sleep, cerebrospinal fluid washes across the surface of the brain and carries away detritus which is essentially [the] brain's trash litter. Every thought you had, everything you read, every word you spoke [and so on] is a chemical reaction in the brain which is left behind like trash that needs to be washed." Tamara Claunch (15:21-15:50)

Sleep is also vital to Alzheimer's prevention and something that (as Lori admitted on the podcast) most of us aren't getting enough of. But without getting enough sleep, which is about seven to eight hours per night, your brain can't clean itself and your body struggles to step out of stress and into the rest, relaxation and recovery it needs. If you're a chronic late-night phone scroller… stop! Blue light is emitted from our screens and is what stops the production of melatonin in the brain. When blue light enters the eyes, it stops the reaction of melatonin which is what helps us sleep and maintain healthy sleep-wake cycles. This is a tough habit to break for most of us, but Tamara recommends plugging your cell phone in to charge at night in the bathroom or kitchen… anywhere that's close enough to get to it in an emergency, but not easy to grab and scroll when you should be sleeping.

Lastly, stress is something that we can never get rid of, but can learn to manage more effectively. Our natural fight-or-flight stress response was create for our ancestors to (literally) stay alive, but since we don't have that life-threatening danger anymore, we need to learn how to turn this response off and get our body back into homeostasis, rather than hyperactivity (which raises our risk for Alzheimer's). One way to teach your body to switch out of its sympathetic nervous system and into the parasympathetic 'rest and digest' function is to breathe properly! A quick way to do this is to practice slow and controlled diaphragmatic breathing by breathing in slowly for a count of four, holding your breath for a count of four, then exhaling for a count of four. Repeat this for five or six times and you'll feel a wave of calm take over previous anxiety or stress!

"We have to have a reason to get out of bed every day for the rest of our lives. It's so important for us to have roles and purpose and meaningful connections in our own home, within our communities and with the wider world. This may not be 'essential' to life, but studies show that chronic loneliness can raise your risk of Alzheimer's tremendously." Tamara Claunch (31:25-31:55)

Tamara's Brain Beautiful program helps you take an honest look at your nutrition, exercise, stress and sleep habits and make small, daily improvements that will make a huge difference. On top of it all, Tamara teaches how important it is for us to have a sense of purpose. Living a rich, dynamic, engaged, purposeful life is just as important as eating the right foods and getting enough exercise. Life doesn't end at retirement and as humans, we're hardwired for community and connection. A key risk factor of Alzheimer's is loneliness, so make sure you're investing in your mental health by adding more passion and purpose to your life!

Tamara has two more courses launching soon, one of which teaches you how to support your natural detoxification pathways in the body. You can find out more about the Brain Beautiful Method, Tamara's programs and ways you can prevent Alzheimer's by visiting www.thebrainbeautifulmethod.com.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"My goal is for someone to walk into any place where there is a board meeting and you're looked at as an individual, not thinking that you might not be worth the position or worth being there because you're a female."

Aribel Aguirre-Beck (22:01-22:20)

There's no better way to kick off Women's History Month and The Produce Mom's three-part miniseries than with three phenomenal, empowering, inspirational women from our incredible brand partner Naturipe Farms. Donna Lynn Browne, Senior Director Of Food Safety And Social Responsibilities, Aribel Aguirre-Beck, Chief Financial Officer And Chief Administration Officer, CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President Of Marketing For Naturipe Farms all have a lot to share when it comes to women empowerment, mentorship, and transforming the produce industry into one that values, respects, and welcomes women across the board.

Even in 2022, the age of female empowerment, it can be discouraging to see the ways different industries still don't support and encourage the success (and equality) of women. Naturipe Farms is the exact opposite.

"I think Naturipe learned early on that women are good for business. If you read a lot of articles on successful businesses, it's a balance. You have both male, female and different cultures in the more diverse management is expected of us and they tend to be more successful. So we have learned to empower women, give them all the tools and the additional training or support they want, says Aribel Aguirre-Beck, CFO and CAO at Naturipe Farms.

Aribel has proven to be a great inspiration for both Donna Lynn Browne and CarrieAnn Arias in part because of her role on Naturipe's board of directors, which still remains predominantly male. It makes sense that Aribel would push past any boundaries within the produce industry and climb to the top as a woman. Her greatest advice to women starting out in the produce industry is to remember that you're in charge of your own limits. Do whatever your heart desires and don't let anyone limit you. If you do feel like you're being limited, go somewhere else because women shouldn't be limited in the produce industry, or anywhere else. She also reminds all women to speak with confidence, be who you are and go where you want to go. If you are confident, willing to work and do what it takes, you will succeed.

A perfect example of this is CarrieAnn Arias, someone who looks up to Aribel and is also a mentor for TPM's founder, Lori Taylor. CarrieAnn started her career working in sales and marketing for an interior design business, commuting five hours a day, but deeply wanted to break into the produce industry. She decided to take a massive pay cut and leap of faith into the industry by taking on an administrative position, giving her the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the industry.

She credits her mentors for helping her work her way up the ladder. Having the support of people she could reach up to, people she looked up to, and people who would give her quality advice was key to her success. The wonderful thing about the produce industry is that it is small, so CarrieAnn Arias still regularly runs into her previous mentors at conferences and trade shows. It's quite special to feel that type of camaraderie that many industries don't have.

"Success for me, personally, looks like the people around you being promoted. When you're lifting other people up you're lifting up the whole ship! Naturipe is really strong on focusing on that type of moment of empowerment by allowing us to have the opportunity to be mentors." CarrieAnn Arias (13:43-14:03)

Donna Lynn Browne, Senior Director of Food Safety and Social Responsibilities at Naturipe, has over 28 years of experience in agriculture and has seen the incredible turnover of women rising to the top. She started in a laboratory where she met her mentor, a man, who traveled around the world. His advice to Donna Lynn was to get out of the laboratory and into actual factory plants. Donna Lynn left the lab and went to work for a chocolate factory to get her feet wet.

"Originally the agriculture industry was pretty much a boys club because most of the growers, farmers and people that were in it were male. It has changed so much in the 28 years I've been doing this. You see so many women now as CEOs, CFOs, and so on, of different companies and I think they've realized that having a balance is a good thing," Donna Lynn shares.

Donna Lynn also plays an integral role in social responsibility by making sure the company she works for is following all labor laws, isn't discriminating and is treating workers responsibly. Plus, she makes sure employees receive proper training, proper education and are mentored in a way that fosters their growth. Donna Lynn wants women just starting in the fresh produce industry to know that she can believe in herself, be true to herself, honor what she thinks and speak up when she has questions.

Speaking of believing in yourself, Lori also shared a personal story about her journey with The Produce Moms. In 2015 she took the scary leap into entrepreneurship by purchasing back TPM (her idea) from her former employer. She remembers going to her first trade event after purchasing TPM (and accruing a six-figure acquisition debt), only having one small client, and feeling embarrassed. She could hardly afford the gas to drive to the trade show event in Chicago not to mention a hotel to stay at. Carrying this weight on her shoulders, feeling stressed, scared, nervous and battling all the feelings that come with entrepreneurship, she asked a question during a women's panel at the show.

"What do you do when you feel like no one believes in you?"

Regardless of the answer, Lori had a pivotal moment of bravery and, what could be considered, a call for help. One of the women leaders came to Lori after the session and told her, "if you feel like you're surrounded by people that don't believe in you, that is because you're standing in the wrong room."

This is some of the most important advice that has stuck with Lori still to this day.

"Every step of the way as we make decisions at The Produce Moms I think, 'if people don't believe in what we're doing, I'm not in the right room. I'm not surrounding myself with the right people. I'm not working with the right people." Lori Taylor (34:09-34:17)

Every woman on this show was filled with gratitude for the camaraderie, mentorship and inspiration they've given each other, along with the support Naturipe has had for empowering women within the produce industry.

No matter what industry, position or role you're in as a woman, CarrieAnn reminds you that it's important to find (and use) your voice. For her, volunteering and mentoring is how she's done this and found the success she needed to succeed. It doesn't matter how old you are – you can always mentor someone else and offer the support, advice and leadership they need. Donna Lynn reminds us that we still have a long way to go when it comes to female empowerment, but the strides we've made in agriculture are incredible. Aribel wants us to continue the great momentum we've created so it no longer is a 'surprise' to see a woman in any type of position, and everyone can be respected for their differences. Lastly, Lori thanks Naturipe for their incredible support of women, The Produce Moms and commitment to Women's History Month!

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"Black walnuts are the cadillac of tree nuts! I've done a lot of baking with them in my kitchen and can tell a true difference in flavor."

Lori Taylor (2:01-2:12)

The best part about Hammons Black Walnuts isn't how deliciously bold, flavorful, healthy and versatile they are, it's that they are 100% wildly sourced!

Hammons Black Walnuts is a third generation family owned nut shelling business that started from Brian Hammons' grandfather 76 years ago. His grandfather, fresh out of the Navy, connected with a company in Virginia that was looking for more black walnuts. If you aren't familiar with black walnuts, these are different from the more commonly found English walnuts farmed in California. Seeing an opportunity, his grandfather went to Tennessee, bought a cracking machine, brought it to Missouri and started shelling black walnuts. In the first year alone, the business shelled around 100,000 pounds of black walnuts. Today, the company can process around 100,000 pounds a day!

What's unique about Hammons Black Walnuts is they have about 230 local buying stations where individuals can bring in black walnuts they've picked and get paid for them. Sometimes it's a location like a lawn and garden center, or a small business and that service helps supplement their income. Where are people picking black walnuts? Since they naturally grow wild in the midwest (and all of Hammons' black walnuts are 100% wildly sourced), there are plenty of black walnut trees around that drop the hard, yellow, baseball-sized nuts from October into November.

"We connect with a lot of folks who have stories to tell about picking up black walnuts as a kid and now they're taking their grandkids to pick them up and make money with them. They tell us how much money they made and what they did with it. Sometimes it was for extra Christmas money, sometimes it was boots for the winter time, and some people really needed that." Brian Hammons (14:42-15:12)

The difference between a black walnut and an English walnut boils down to flavor and cultivation. Black walnuts have a bold flavor compared to the mild English walnut, and, as you're finding out, black walnuts are wildly grown whereas English walnuts are cultivated primarily in California and China. Black walnuts are hard to crack and don't have that much meat on the inside when you open them. Hammons' yields about seven to eight pounds of sellable nut meat from every 100 pounds that they crack, while with English walnuts you'll yield about 45 to 50 pounds!

Sure, English walnuts give you a nice crunch when cooking with them, but black walnuts offer a bolder, richer, earthier flavor that is extremely versatile. Black walnuts have more protein than English walnuts, are high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and are the tree nut with the highest protein! This has inspired Hammons' to start selling their own protein powder.

If you see black walnut anything, whether it's black walnut ice cream at your local ice cream shop, or a bag of Fisher black walnuts, they probably originated from Hammons' Black walnuts. The company offers nationwide distribution and supplies over a million pounds a year of nutmeat for larger companies using their product. The good news is you can count on your black walnuts being healthy and free of any issues because Hammons ensures they follow all food safety requirements and regulations.

Traditionally, people use black walnuts in things like brownies, fudge and cakes. One of Kim Hammons', Brian Hammons' wife, go-to recipes is a delicious fruit crisp with a black walnut crumble on top. Outside of traditional dessert items, black walnuts have been used in salads, sausage, toasted and added as a garnish, thrown in sautéed dishes, in hors d'oeuvres… the list is endless! Kim also loves to dress fresh green beans with a handful of black walnuts, or on top of broccoli mixed with fennel seed. You can also make a black walnut cheese ball, use them in pesto, grind them up and use them as a crust for things like fish or prime rib, or inside a black walnut oatmeal cookie!

"There's nothing more enjoyable than when I'm sautéeing something and I throw in the black walnuts. The aroma and flavor that blends together creates such a wonderful palette for your nose and you know it's going to taste just as wonderful as it smells!" Kim Hammons (26:04-26:22)

Healthy, flavorful, versatile… What's not to love about black walnuts!? If your mouth is watering to try black walnuts, head to your local grocery retailer first, and if they aren't carried there, check out www.black-walnuts.com. Make sure you store your black walnuts in a cool, dark place, like your pantry. You can keep them in your refrigerator door if you plan to use them regularly, or even freeze them. Hammons' Black Walnuts is truly a company committed to the sacred art of agriculture, foraging and sustainability, so know you are supporting that when you enjoy Hammons' Black Walnuts too!

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"If you're not aware of mushrooms, saddle up! Mushrooms are hot. They are the hottest item in the produce department right now."

Lori Taylor (2:07-2:20)

There's no doubt about it… mushrooms are one of the hottest items in the produce department right now and if anyone knows mushrooms like the back of their hand, it's Mike Stephan, Director of Sales for Monterey Mushrooms. Mike has been with the family-owned company (celebrating their 50th anniversary this year) for almost two decades and loves how extraordinary this plant is.

Monterey Mushrooms sells a variety of mushroom types to grocery retailers, restaurants, national pizza chains and other food service providers. Even though mushrooms don't have a flashy color or potent flavor, they make any ordinary meal extraordinary by bringing a hearty, healthy addition to any meal. The three main types of mushrooms Monterey Mushrooms grows are whites, baby bellas (also known as crimini), and portabella (which are what baby bellas grow into).

Mushrooms really started to shine at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was looking for ways to boost their immune system. Mushrooms have a high Vitamin C content and, in part thanks to Monterey Mushrooms, a high Vitamin D content too. Mushrooms are the only produce item and non-animal source of Vitamin D.

"When I say it enhances people's lives, that's enhancing their lives by making an ordinary meal extraordinary by adding mushrooms." Mike Stephan (6:29-6:39)

Interestingly enough, mushroom tissue acts like the skin by taking in UV light and converting it to Vitamin D. Mushrooms are an important addition to any American's diet because 80% of the United States are Vitamin D deficient. Monterey Mushrooms was a bit of a pioneer in increasing the Vitamin D content in mushrooms because they started to expose mushrooms post-harvest to an accurate amount of UV light for the mushrooms to convert it into natural Vitamin D.

This all started when the FDA called attention to the USDA that there was a huge need for Vitamin D in our food supply. The USDA partnered with the mushroom industry and found, through research, that the mushroom crop didn't contain Vitamin D in it because it isn't exposed to natural sunlight, mushrooms are grown indoors to become available year round. To change this, mushroom growers have started to bring UV light to the crop post-harvest and the mushroom does the rest of the work!

Even though you might see mushrooms growing in your yard during the fall or in compost piles, the majority of the mushrooms you'll find at the grocery store are "gregarious by spores mushrooms" and are grown on wheat straw. The wheat straw comes from the straw of the grain, and Monterey Mushrooms uses other byproducts in the agricultural industry as well such as cottonseed and gypsum hulls to create a nutritious mushroom compost. They plant new crops of mushrooms every other day. That makes for 180 crops per year!

With the rising cost of food, mushrooms are a great way to stretch out meat-based dishes and get your kids to eat healthy, nutritious produce even if they are picky eaters. Mushrooms are a great addition to chopped salads (check out our recipe at www.theproducemoms.com), pizza toppings, veggie trays, marinated as an appetizer, blended, sauteed… the options are endless.

One of Lori's favorite ways to include mushrooms is with turkey tacos. Since turkey can be a bit dry, but it's healthier, adding ground mushrooms to the ground turkey makes them more meaty and flavorful. It's a great way to sneak in mushrooms for kids that don't want to eat them - Lori's have no idea! She also adds them to a traditional bolognese sauce made with beef by adding the mushrooms to her food processor and then mixing them into the ground beef in the skillet.

"It's rewarding to work and pour energy into growing a crop that people purchase at a restaurant or grocery store, take home and make a meal that nourishes their family." Mike Stephan (6:17-6:28)

The great thing about mushrooms is their versatility in how you can cook them and the flavors they'll add to any dish. Plus, they're basically a superfood with how much nutrition is packed in them and how much they boost the immune system! Have you ever heard of mushroom chips? If you slow roast sliced mushrooms in the oven and add any seasoning that you want, you'll have delicious mushroom chips that you can eat alone, sprinkle on salads or baked potatoes.

Don't be surprised if you see the area mushrooms are sold in your local grocery store grow and expand, especially because of the focus on plant-based meals and how easily mushrooms can play a role as a protein substitute!

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"Every time somebody picks up a Good Sam product, they know that the people who are finding it on the other end are taken care of and this is truly a fair product taking care of the planet, people, and you and your needs."

Heather Terry (18:01-18:17)

When Heather Terry started her first company Nibmor Chocolate with co-founder Jennifer Love, the two had no idea the amount of supply chain issues they would uncover. The two eventually sold Nibmor chocolate and Heather went on to consult different retailers and also found Good Sam, a company offering vegan, sugar-free, direct trade, keto-friendly goodies for chocolate lovers of all types.

Good Sam was founded with co-founder Sam Stroot in part from the frustrations Heather had at Nibmor. There was a lack of transparency in the supply chain and she had heard from many of their U.S. farmers that the fair trade system doesn't really work. There were too many strings attached and the farmers weren't getting the money they needed. Sam has a great relationship with many in the direct supply chain and access to navigating that system, so she knew he'd be the perfect partner to pair up with!

The issue with the supply chain boils down to the middleman. If you are shopping for fair or direct trade items at your grocery retailer and see a higher price tag on a smaller brand, it's typically because that product has to go through many, many different layers of "middlemen" to get their product produced. Heather knew there could be a way to eliminate extra human capital which is better for the farmers and consumers' wallets.

"We should all be treated equally and anything you find at the grocery store you should feel good about the person planting that seed and that they are being granted a living wage, they are able to take care of their families, their fundamental needs are being met and you're doing some good for the planet." Heather Terry (8:38-8:55)

For Heather, her focus at her company is on the consumer, yes, but the sower of the seed, the health of the planet, and following the motto of 'planet, people, prosperity for all'. The company specifically put the planet first in their motto because, if we don't take care of our planet and where we live now, there won't be anything left for us and our future generations!

Good Sam's initiatives came at the perfect time as when Heather started the company, she saw the consumer mindset start to change as well. Whole Foods was on the rise and consumers were starting to turn over product packages, read ingredients and truly care about where their food is sourced from. Good Sam prides themselves on providing true, transparent circularity. For example, the only people that touch their chocolate bars are the trucking company that transports the cacao beans to the manufacturer from the farmers, the manufacturers in Columbia who produce the product, and the transportation company that brings it to the United States. This allows Good Sam to pay the farmers directly, a higher price at that, so they can in turn directly invest in their communities.

Good Sam also has a direct trade program. Did you know that the fair trade system (not direct trade) is a generalized system for all fair trade certifications where only 1% of a brand's top-line sales is given to the certifier to then give back to the farmers? Good Sam's direct trade program differs because they directly invest in the farming communities. They don't just give money to them, they give money alongside them so they can actively manage projects within the communities to help foster growth. Sam and Heather will sit down with farmers, listen to their main concerns and decide how they can use as many of the local resources as possible to keep the ecosystem going.

Heather argues that larger corporations are missing out on what could be a phenomenal business decision when they aren't choosing direct or fair trade. The way most corporations run their production supply chain depletes the system, which in turn causes them to lose workers, lose quality and lose consumers by constantly raising their prices. If a company isn't taking care of their workers, their factories and their farmers, they aren't taking care of their consumers.

One thing Heather learned when starting Nibmor is the complexity of injustices for women and children workers in the chocolate industry. Children, unfortunately, are forced to work at extremely young ages in unfathomable conditions while being trafficked and abused. We would never allow what happens to these workers in the U.S. Although there are many dark sides to the food system, Heather and Good Sam are doing what they can to make a difference with direct trade and she encourages all of us to start questioning the companies that produce our food.

"I think we underestimate the power that as consumers we all really have, and we have a powerful voice in all of this." Heather Terry (30:31-30:39)

Want to make a difference on an everyday level without getting overwhelmed? Even if you can't afford to purchase, for example, fair trade products, you can still say 'no' to certain items. You can say 'yes' to brands that are affordable enough in the right places. When you purchase something anywhere at a grocery store or online retailer, you're telling the company that this is acceptable enough for you to put your money towards, so they will continue to invest in it.

You can be a catalyst for change by making requests to your grocery retailer and asking for more transparency with the products they are putting on the shelf. You can also request or check in with the customer service desk at your local retailer. Ask enough times and get enough people to talk about it to the customer service desk will make a change. Pass on information like what has been shared on today's episode to your friends and family and share reputable resources, too!

Interested in learning more about the middleman presence in the food supply chain? Make sure to check out Episode 106 where we dive into the farming economy and the radical changes that need to happen so farmers can be financially rewarded for doing the right thing, like adopting regenerative farming practices and being transparent.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"I've always known that when people say Idaho, I think about potatoes first!"

Lori Taylor (5:21-5:25)

As Jamey Higham, CEO of The Idaho Potato Commission, puts it, "I've got some potato DNA in my blood!"

Jamey was born and raised in Shelley, Idaho, a small town right in the heart of potato country. Growing up with two weeks out of school each year for potato harvest and cheering on his school team the Shelley Russets, Jamey went on to work in the produce industry after high school. He had a short break working for Ford Motor Company in their marketing and sales department, only to be pulled back to potatoes in 2002.

Now Jamey is three weeks into his position as CEO for the Idaho Potato Commission, the ones responsible for making "Idaho" synonymous with the potatoes we love. The role of the Commission is to lead, promote and protect the famous "grown in Idaho" seal. Five out of the nine Commission members are actual potato growers, with the rest representing shipping, packaging and processing of potatoes too.

"I really think that's a tip of the hat to what you all have done at the Idaho Potato Commission to turn an entire state into being synonymous with a big, agricultural commodity that you grow." Lori Taylor (6:01-6:13)

Did you know February is Idaho Potato Lovers Month? 50 years ago, February was declared "Potato Lovers Month", but it became specific to Idaho potatoes 30 years ago… no wonder why! This works out in perfect conjunction with a contest the Commission runs each year. Grocery stores and retailers who enter the contest can create a display that promotes Idaho potatoes. Sometimes the Commission sees as many as 5,000 stores enter!

February is the second busiest time of year for Idaho potatoes compared to Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you are out shopping and see a big Idaho potato display, it's not just a "contest entering", it's a testament to the powerful relationship the retailer has built with the Commission, and the same goes for other produce items.

Why is Idaho so great for growing potatoes? First off, Idaho has the perfect climate of warm days and cool nights, along with great soil made of rich, volcanic ash. There are many generational farms growing Idaho potatoes that have learned for decades how to grow the best quality potatoes, how to best store them and ship them around the world while maintaining their flavor, shape, structure and texture.

Harvest season for potatoes starts in the later summer, around the first part of August. Towards the middle of the harvest, potatoes are sent to a packing facility and they're put away in two, state of the art storages where they're shipped out so we can enjoy potatoes year round. If the potatoes aren't harvested at the right time, there's a risk that freezing weather will damage crops. As we know how things are changing around the world, that time of month could come earlier or when it's unexpected.

Demand for potatoes certainly has remained steady throughout the pandemic. Because they're an affordable, healthy option with many versatile ways you can enjoy them (plus they last long if you store them in a cool, dark location), potatoes were hard to keep on store shelves at the beginning of the pandemic. After the first four months of COVID, restaurants and fast food options started to open up again and then french fry sales were through the roof. Do you remember when lines were almost 45 minutes long for restaurants and fast food locations?

"When COVID first started and restaurants started to close down, we could not pack enough potatoes in the United States to fill the retail." Jamey Higham (17:54-18:09)

Speaking of fast food and French fries, everywhere you go in Idaho you'll find 'fry sauce' which is a unique combination of mayonnaise, ketchup and a little pickle juice. Another great way to enjoy potatoes is how Lori's family eats them a few times a week. She suggests tossing them in olive or avocado oil, putting them in the oven in a cast iron skillet, and seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic, blackening seasoning or Chinese five spice.

Want some pro tips for storing potatoes? Make sure you don't store them in the refrigerator! Also, keep them in a spot that is cool and dark. If you leave potatoes in the light, they tend to turn green. Planning to make mashed potatoes tomorrow? Wash them as soon as you take them out of the bag and store them in a pot of water overnight so your prep work is already done!

Make sure you keep enjoying the healthy and satisfying flavor of potatoes and look for the Idaho potato seal to ensure you're taking home the best quality potatoes around.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

"I have learned so much from hosting the show because I get to listen, inquire and directly conversate with some of the most brilliant people in the world."

Lori Taylor (35:57-36:10)

From launching The Produce Moms as an in-house marketing idea for Indy Fruit, to growing a blog, to posting weekly podcast episodes since 2018, The Produce Moms has grown exponentially from a grassroots concept to a lifestyle brand with national retail partners.

It's been quite the journey growing The Produce Moms into the brand it is today and Lori Taylor, founder and CEO, and Helena Fox, Business Development Manager sit down to celebrate, reminisce and discuss what exciting events you can expect from us next!

After Lori Taylor left her corporate role with Indy Fruit and decided to branch out on her own with The Produce Moms, she was looking for part-time help. Lori posted on her Facebook Page one day that she'd be at a specific Starbuck and if anyone was interested, she'd buy them a cuppa to chat. Lo and behold, she was overjoyed to see Helena Fox walk in, a former coworker of hers who had also left corporate after her first child was born.

"In my heart I wanted to continue working and I wanted to make a name for myself and start my own business helping entrepreneurs and assist them in the hardship of what it is to grow their business, but also do what they love and give them that opportunity to be able to focus on that." Helena Fox (2:31-2:54)

Helina now serves as the director of The Produce Moms podcast, scouting guests and making sure the show stays true to what the brand and podcast is all about – helping you bring more fruits and vegetables to your table! Thanks to Helina's and the rest of TPM's team, we had more unique downloads of our podcast in January of 2022 than in the entire year of 2018!

Even more exciting is the fact that TPM is in the process of getting our B Corp certification. To get your B Corp certification, you have to provide data to show you are a business operating in an environment that takes all stakeholders into consideration before making a major decision. The emphasis of a B Corp is that you're operating in a way that is environmentally friendly to your employees and the workforce, and you treat the community and environment in a way that meets the United Nations sustainability standards and goals.

Less than 5,000 businesses worldwide carry a B Corp certification and The Produce Moms is among the first ten to have one in the state of Indiana! What's also unique is the fact that this certification typically goes towards companies that, for example, sell produce, while TPM is a growing lifestyle brand.

Continuing to make an impact on moms like you and the entire produce industry is a huge focus of our work. Our mission is to get more fruits and vegetables on every table, and along with that we hope to inspire you to empower our farmers. As much as supporting our domestic farmers is important, it's equally as important to support our Central and South America farmers because they support us with fresh produce during different harvest seasons.

Speaking of empowering, Lori and Helena remember when Lori went to record her first episode. She had met former TPM team member Brian, a podcast producer with a studio in Nashville. Even though she could record from the comfort of her own home, she took a drive to Nashville to Brian's studio, recorded the first episode and, from there, has stayed committed to producing a weekly show since 2018. There were only three podcasts in the produce industry niche at the time, and The Produce Moms has remained the only one that's specifically focused on fruits and vegetables.

"I am very proud to say that today we are the leading podcast on the entire internet that's fully focused on fruits and vegetables." Lori Taylor (32:49-32:57)

The Produce Moms continue to stay true to our mission of bringing more fresh fruits and vegetables to your table, while also reminding us all that food security is national security. It's equally as important to support the entire produce supply chain and our local farmers that bring you fresh, quality produce. It's always our goal to make TPM different, better, special and unique, and we are working on launching a page on our website focused on impact that you can dive into later this year!

You can expect to hear more great guests coming on soon to talk about the supply chain crisis, an awesome episode celebrating women's history in March, and we'd love to have any ideas or guests you want to have on the show too! Do you have a friend or know someone in the business that would be a great fit for our podcast? Send them our way! All are welcome to apply and we are always looking for guests to help us share with you simple, refreshing and realistic ways to think about food, health and wellness.

How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!