The Produce Moms Podcast

"Schools are a gateway to changing the consumption habits surrounding fruits and vegetables in the United States."

Lori Taylor (13:12-13:26)

School meals are a vital part of creating an environment for students to succeed.

Dr. Katie Wilson, Executive Director of the Urban School Food Alliance, has a contagious passion for all things child nutrition and school food service. She and her team at the alliance pour countless hours and energy into making sure the children of some of the largest school districts in the world are receiving nutrient-dense, thoughtfully planned meals. They believe that "when students eat well, they do well in school."

The Urban School Food Alliance was established in 2012 when the six largest school districts in the country came together with a mission to use their collective experience and sheer numbers to make an impact in the school nutrition arena.

"Schools are meant to teach kids, to get them ready for adulthood and to be successful in their lives and careers. The school nutrition program is no different." - Dr. Katie Wilson (13:30-13:55)

The Urban School Food Alliance serves 3.6 million meals per day - 635 million meals annually - in 12 of the largest school districts in the United States. To give some perspective on just how big these districts are, each district must enroll at least 50,000 students annually to be eligible for the alliance!

The Alliance invests around $800 million in procurement each year, and $95 million of those dollars are spent investing in the local communities, providing locally sourced produce and grains to schools. They are dedicated to changing policy, and leveraging their influence to increase quality and lower cost because they believe wholeheartedly that nutritious school meals are a vital component to a child's success in school and in life.

The districts in this alliance are passionate about making sure students have access to best quality food, and they have made phenomenal progress for the school nutrition industry. This is the organization that went after antibiotic free chicken for school lunches. Their effort not only affected the meals our schools serve children each day, but you can thank them for the antibiotic free chicken that is served in most fast food restaurants today.

The missing piece in our education programs.

Schools are meant to educate children, and the school nutrition program is a piece of that education puzzle that is often missing.

There are so many opportunities within schools to introduce children to a wide variety of produce and encourage lifelong healthy eating habits.

Some schools in the Urban School Food Alliance have incorporated a "Produce of the Month" program. Local grocery stores in the area have even been included, so they can make sure to supply the produce item being highlighted. This is a fantastic opportunity for the child to have the opportunity to educate the family!

Some districts are also being intentional to incorporate new cultural food experiences in their school. Food has a powerful way of bringing people of all ethnicities and countries of origin together. Stories of children new to the country, finding comfort in a familiar meal that is shared with new classmates have shown the power of connection that is found when we introduce students to new experiences and educate them on the value of culture.

"School meals are the best safety net this country has to teach children health and wellness." - Dr. Katie Bell. (21:30-21:39)

Make a difference in your child's school.

School lunches often get a bad wrap. You may fear your child won't get a nutritious, quality meal from the cafeteria.

Here are a few things to consider.

• Investigate. There's a great chance that there are more options available for your child than you are currently aware of. Often, schools have a fresh fruit and veggie bar available to students. Take the time to introduce yourself to the staff that is serving the children of your school each day. Do some investigating and don't just believe everything you read.

• Participate. If you find that your school isn't up to par with your expectations, it's important to recognize that this program needs participation to be successful. When you simply withhold's participation in the program, you're contributing to the inability for the nutrition program to meet the needs of your child.

• You have the power as a parent to evoke change in your district! The local food program can only be as good as the local administration gives support for. Share your needs, and join with other parents who feel the same.

• Contact your legislature and let them know that school nutrition is important! Moves like this can increase funding and increase the value of the nutrition for your child's school.

At The Produce Moms, we strongly believe that school meals are one of the best investments for the health and wellbeing of our children. The Urban School Food Alliance is leading the way in making incredible, positive changes in our school lunch programs around the nation.

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!

"Crop One is among the largest vertical farms in the world. Their mantra is the future of farming. Their mission is to solve the world's food problems, one crop at a time."Lori Taylor (1:15-1:24)

Crop One is changing the way the world grows produce.

Dr. Jenna Bell is the Vice President of Nutritional Science for Crop One, one of the largest vertical farms in the world. She leads nutrition and brand communications and supports the plant science R&D program, product innovation, marketing, and international business development.

"One-third of our land that has traditionally been farmed on is becoming unusable." Dr. Jenna Bell (2:42-2:50)

The Benefits of Vertical Farming

Approximately ⅓ of the land traditionally farmed on our earth is becoming unusable. With limited resources, and growing global need for a resilient food supply, Crop One has stepped up to provide an innovative solution.

Crop One uses 95-99% less water than traditional farming! This means, for every gallon of water used in traditional farming, Crop One uses 1 ½ drops. The purified water they do use is preserved by the further purification by the plants.

Because the environment is controlled, energy can be conserved. LED lights can be turned on and off, and biofeedback is available to eliminate overfeeding plants. Crop One puts great priority on reducing their carbon footprint. They are not yet carbon neutral, but making great strides towards neutrality. Plants need CO2 for growth, but the hope is that eventually they will be able to give them just enough to help them become carbon synced on their own.

While there are other vertical farms in the market, Crop One is one of the largest and most successful. Their yield is more than double the yield of other vertical farms, and they operate at a 40% profit margin. They are truly on the cutting edge of ag technology.

"We want to make sure we're growing more with less… providing fresh, local, high-quality safe produce in areas that could not grow previously. We grow an enormous amount of food in a tiny amount of land with a tiny amount of water to complement traditional farming." Dr. Jenna Bell (26:50)

"Simply Put, Vertical Farming is the Conversion of Electrons to Calories."

Crop One builds high-density, high-yield farms in completely controlled and contained vertical hydroponic farms. One acre of Crop One fields is equal to 400 acres of outdoor farmland!

The crops are grown in boxes, utilizing a modular system. Each field room is individualized to give complete control over the individualized environment for the specific crop being grown. Imagine them as building blocks or Legos. It looks quite fantastical. However, everything they do is based upon the way that the plants grow the best, and healthiest.

Interesting facts about your plants and their nutrient content.

Did you know that the phytonutrients and antioxidants your plants provide you are created by the plants in response to their environment? When a plant encounters the elements, water, sun, heat, etc. it builds a defense system.

Crop One is able to maximize nutrition content by eliminating the unpredictable nature of these elements. They have complete control of the environment - light and dark, amounts of CO2, temperature, humidity, nutrient provision, even nitrogen content. They take samples from each crop to make sure all factors are ideal for the healthiest, most nutritious plant.

They've had great success increasing the phytonutrients of plants, and are currently working on making the tweaks necessary to boost antioxidant production. Kale and Romaine produced by Crop One contain higher amounts of potassium, and Romaine contains more calcium.

Crop One currently has produce in 43 stores in the greater Boston area, and recently announced a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering.

Technology is evolving, and with it, the sources of our produce. With companies like Crop One, fresh produce is becoming more dependable, accessible, and more nutritious. Crop One is truly solving the world's food problems one crop at a time!

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!

Part of the innovative industry controlled environment ag

Grew out of global concern.

"The need for resilient food supply is becoming a global issue"

"Crop One is building high density high yeiled farms in completely controlled and contained vertical hydroponic farms"

3:50-4:05

"Crop one is among the largest vertical farms in the world." (7:37)

told the whole story emphasized the way you ahve mitigated the cost of the operation.

"This whole industry is really electrifying agriculture… from the beginning, we have had our eye on carbon neutrality. We want to make sure we maximize our yeild while being as efficient as humanly and technologically possible"

(11:45 -12:19)

Long-term - align with electic companies - share the cost - the energy they produce used by

"What we're doign is try to grow with technology and infastructure so people can have fresh produce locally. Use less land, a fraction of the amount of water required..but wer'e also motivated by food resilience and human health.

"We want to make sure we're growing more with less… providing fresh, local, high-quality safe produce in areas that could not grow previously. We grow an enormous amount of food in a tiny amount of land and a tiny amount of water to complement traditional farming." (26:50)

"This is plant-based with all the taste. A truly delicious non-dairy dessert… and the best popsicle on the market" Lori Taylor (1:30)

When life gives you lemons, make strawberry lemonade popsicles.

When Julie Podolec's son was teething, she wandered the aisles of the grocery store to find a natural frozen treat to help soothe his sore gums. However, as she read the ingredient lists she quickly realized that these weren't products she would be purchasing for her child. The treats were characteristically high in sugar, low in fruit, and/or listed water as the first ingredient.

Instead of becoming discouraged, Julie went home, rolled up her sleeves, pulled out her blender, and made the treats that she couldn't find in stores.

And The Modern Pop was born.

Julie Podolec is the Founder and CMO of this fun, bright, natural frozen treat brand that is taking over the West Coast. Julie and her husband have worked to weave the California sunshine right into their brand.

"The brand commitment is 'fruit first.'" Julie Podolec (5:15)

What's in Modern Pop… or more importantly, what isn't?!

If you, like Julie, were to seek out a frozen bar for yourself or your family, you would find that fruit doesn't make a mention until about halfway down the ingredient list.

Modern Pop isn't satisfied with a middle-of-the-pack fruit bar, and is committed to making fruit the first ingredient on the list! They don't stop there! The fruit they use is individually quick frozen (IQF), meaning it is picked and preserved at the peak of harvest. This method maintains high nutrient value and produce integrity, and is highly regarded in the produce industry.

All of their bars are vegan certified and non-GMO. They steer clear of additives like gums and keep their ingredient list to a minimum.

"Our purpose is to be as close to homemade as we possibly can."

- Julie Podolec (7:47)

Creating a healthier indulgence.

Modern Pop began with the frozen fruit bar, but they have recently embarked into new territory. Their goal was to create an indulgent bar that could still be dairy free, nutrient dense, and not loaded with sugar.

The building blocks of a frozen dessert indulgence (like your very favorite ice cream) typically include dairy, fat, and sugar.

Modern Pop began to seek out a healthier way to incorporate all of these elements.

Avocados are no stranger to produce fans, but utilizing them in dessert? Modern Pop took these nutrient-dense fat bombs and began experimentation.

The result? A creamy, dessert base with a flavor mild enough to complement new imaginations of classic desserts! Mint Chip. Chocolate Fudge. Cookies N' Cream. All vegan, dairy free, and most importantly, delicious and full of nutrients for your family.

Modern Pop is dedicated to creating products that everyone can enjoy and love. Julie is an incredible example of a Produce Mom who saw a need and stepped up to create a solution. And we're so glad she did!

Modern Pop is than a product, it's a passion that Julie and her family have dedicated their lives to pursuing and sharing with the world.

Grab a box today, and take a bite of the California sunshine!

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.
• Use Modern Pop's location finder to see if they are in a grocery store near you

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!

"What I love doing is figuring out what scientists are doing and then applying it in the field to make people's lives better."Vonnie Estes (4:24)

From Growers, to Packaging, to Your Table, Technology is Revolutionizing AG.

When it comes to agriculture technology, Vonnie Estes is the most brilliant woman that the Produce Moms has crossed paths with. She is truly a thought leader in the industry and has done a tremendous amount of work to revolutionize the way technology is utilized in agriculture.

Vonnie Estes is the Vice President of Marketing at the Produce Marketing Association. She studied Horticulture and Plant Pathology, but quickly realized that she loved science, but had no desire to be a scientist. Her gift is in taking the advancements made by scientists and applying it in the field to make people's lives better through agriculture. She is passionate to work on the edge of scientists advancements and be the navigator to apply those incredible discoveries to the world of agriculture.

The Importance of Technology in AG

In the rural farms of Chile, there are still farmers who manage their entire business on pen and paper in a stack of notebooks.

As our world moves forward, and technology plays a part in every single aspect of our lives, it makes sense that it has a place in the food industry

The terms "biotechnology" and "genetically modified" often instill fear in the hearts of the consumers. However, these terms encompass much more than we realize, and are a crucial component to the support of the produce industry.

• Technology enables farmers to create a digital footprint and help you, as the consumer, know exactly where your produce comes from.

• Technology is creating opportunities for robots to do the hard work, allowing workers to move out of positions of grueling, long hours of work that damages their bodies (i.e. pruning and harvesting) and into jobs that empower their health.
• Technology provides software that equips farmers to manage their crops and workers.
• Technology increases efficiency - giving farmers real-time data to help them eliminate water waste, and increase crop yields.

Perhaps one of the leading advances in technology that we often hear about is genetic modification. The presence of GMOs represents groundbreaking work in AG technology, but we often hear about them in a negative light.

"35% of rural America has no connectivity at all. 60% of farmers, when asked if their connectivity is good enough to run their business, said no." - Vonnie Estes. 15:20 - 15:35

The Lowdown on GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is a term that is tossed around regularly in the produce world, and it has created a lot of confusion. Consumers are often afraid of its implications, and more and more individuals are grabbing their produce from the "Certified Organic" shelves.

But what is genetic modification, and is it actually dangerous?

"90% of scientists think GMOs are safe, including The American Medical Association and National Academy of Sciences."

- Vonnie Estes. (20:01 - 20:08)

Genetic modification, using tools to change the DNA of a plant cell, started in the 1990s. There are two main traits that scientists work on to increase a crop's resilience, and increase the harvest.

• "Roundup ready" - Scientists have created a crop that is more resilient to herbicide.

• Bug Resistant - Scientists insert insecticide genes into the plant. This protects the plants from being eaten by pests.

It can be disconcerting to think that there is foreign DNA in the foods you consume. However, it's important to understand that genetic modification is highly regulated and well tested, and isn't as widespread as some may think.

"When you think about it, we in the US have been eating genetically modified food since the 90s. 60% of processed food on the grocery shelf has some kind of genetically modified thing in it." - Vonnie Estes 20:25

It's also important to note that genetic modification is not a widespread practice for all produce. A genetically modified crop takes 10-15 years to get to market. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent for the regulatory process of development and testing. Only the biggest companies and crops (i.e. corn, soy, canola) can even afford it.

So, what products ARE genetically modified?

There are currently three crops on the market that have been modified. Only one of the three are readily available for consumer purchase in grocery stores.

Potatoes. There is currently a potato crop available for commercial purpose that doesn't brown when cut.

Arctic Apple. The Arctic Apple has been genetically modified to not brown. They are not available everywhere, and are well-marked in locations where they can be purchased.

Papayas sourced from Hawaii. Genetic modification literally saved the papaya industry in Hawaii. When a virus threatened to destroy the entire crop 20-30 years ago, a resistant strain of papaya was developed.

The Future of GMO

New labeling protocols are being implemented to help consumers understand which products they purchase contain GMO'd ingredients. Products only have to identify their products as GMO'd if they contain a certain percentage of modified ingredients.

"It's great to know labels are going to be on all of the [GMO'd] products so we can minimize consumer confusion and increase consumer confidence." - Lori Taylor (25:24)

Why support conventional produce?

According to Vonnie, if you are passionate about sustainability, organic may not be the way to go.

Why?

When only one person is touching everything - it becomes elitist. There is limited potential for scale, increased cost, and limited accessibility for the masses. If you really care about regenerating the soul, and sustainability, organic may not be the best choice. It's important to consider how things are being grown, and how your choices affect the rest of the population.

Technology is feeding the world.

The goal of biotechnology and genetic modification is to create food to feed the world. Vonnie Estes and scientists in AG Tech want people to eat better, to feed more people, navigate challenges like climate change, and do all of this in a sustainable way that takes care of our earth.

When you look at all of these factors, it becomes easy to see that technology is a necessary component to help produce food in a way that is efficient, sustainable, and accessible.

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're interested to learn more about the future of AG Tech, listen to EP29: How Drones, Artificial Intelligence and Farmers Work Together with Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President and Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies
• Connect with Vonnie on LinkedIn

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!

"[Plastic reduction] is being demanded now in a way it never has been before. There is a consumer awareness of what it means to live sustainably."

Lori Taylor (6:35-7:00)

Changing the world, one package at a time.

Andrea Watson, Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador of Nature Knows, is passionate about sustainability, and is using this drive to change the world through packaging. Nature Knows is an eco-friendly packaging company who aim to make sustainability accessible to all. Andrea has been voted the Canadian Woman Food Entrepreneur of the year, and Nature Knows received the award of Duke's top innovative product of 2019.

"We're all busier, and that's not going away… We created a package that helps us... eat more fruits and vegetables on the go, but do it sustainably and get rid of all of that plastic."

- Andrea Watson (3:45-4:18)

When Andrea's daughter started school, and Andrea found herself packing the lunch box each day, she realized that something had to shift in the way we package produce. The bags, boxes, and wrappers that ensure our produce makes it safely into our homes are contributing to astronomical amounts of waste.

Since 1950, over 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been generated.

However, currently statistics show that only 9% of plastics are being recycled.

One look around the produce section and you'll notice that most of the packaging is plastic.

And almost 90% of all of it will end up in landfills.

As a society, we've been talking about sustainability for years now. However, most of the focus has been placed on better stewarding our natural resources like water and energy, while not doing enough to reduce the amount of waste being created.

It's time to do something about it! And doing your part could be much simpler than you even realize.

What is Nature Knows?

Andrea and her team at Nature Knows have created an amazing, innovative solution to cut down on plastic waste.

They provide fresh fruits and veggies that are already washed through a special proprietary, all-natural process and packaged in containers come from the earth, and return to the earth.

Compared to traditional produce packaging, the cost increase is minimal, and completely with it when you think of the waste eliminated (both plastic and produce), and the convenience simply grabbing your veggies ready to eat straight out of the bag or box!

Ready to eat packaging helps ensure those fruits and veggies get eaten, on the go or at home, instead of browning beyond recognition at the back of your fridge. So much produce waste actually happens in our homes. Life is busy, and taking the time to prep your produce isn't always feasible.

These products are good for the planet, but also a lifesaver for your produce!

"We increase freshness 50% more than if it was in a plastic cup or tray. It's huge in terms of saving the food waste." - Andrea Watson (8:45)

Not only is Nature Knows eliminating produce waste, but plastic waste as well. The packaging, called "eco-friendly plastic," is made from corn. It looks and performs like plastic, but it's a breathable material that is fully compostable.

"It's called 'eco friendly plastic,' but really it's made out of corn. A breathable material that's fully compostable. It comes from the earth and goes back to the earth." - Andrea Watson (7:58)

What if I don't compost?

With busy lives that can feel as if they're getting busier by the day, composting may not make it to the top of your list of priorities.

That's ok!

Nature Knows products are created with everyone in mind!

What comes from the earth WILL return to the earth, whether in a compost pile or a landfill. Because the packaging is natural, it will break down WITHOUT creating more chemicals in our landfill. When it goes into the landfill, it does add to the amount of waste, but Nature Knows has lovingly nicknamed it, "good garbage." While the product will break down more quickly in a home or commercial compost setting, it will still return to the earth over time.

So, whether you are an avid composter, or you feel accomplished when the empty produce bags make it out of the fridge and into the trash can, Nature Knows is for you.

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.
• You can find Nature Knows products, and learn more about how they are doing their part to reduce waste here.
• Follow Nature Knows on Instagram!

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!

"It matters when you feed your kids to think about nutrition for their brains. Their brains are developing really rapidly. The same way you pay attention to their bones and muscles… you should be paying attention to feeding them for their brain health."

Jonathan Wolfson (23:01-23:33)

Necessity is the mother of invention.

When Jonathon Wolfson, Founder and CEO of Brainac Kids, began asking researching nutrition for his children, he quickly realized that there was much more he could be doing to make sure they had proper nutrition to support their quickly developing brains.

We often focus on our little ones' calcium and protein intake to support healthy bones and muscles, but what about DHA? EPA? ALA? Choline?

These are nutrients that we often focus on during pregnancy and the first year of a child's life, but the brain is rapidly developing through adolescence. Both breastmilk and formula provide babies with these essential nutrients, but after that children's diets often fall short of the recommended intake.

The more information Jonathon gathered, the more he realized that he needed to do something for the health of his children and yours.

In the light of this research, Brainiac Kids products came to life.

"There's an enormous amount of attention paid to the first 1000 days - conception through age two - but a huge percentage of the important development in areas like the prefrontal cortex happens later for kids." - Jonathon Wolfson (5:13- 5:37)

Startling Statistics.

Perhaps your children love their vegetables. We encourage our children to try everything, and The Produce Moms has some fantastic resources to help you find new ways to get your children to explore the world of produce.

Braniac Kids is a strong proponent of reaching nutrient requirements through whole foods, but this can be a challenge with the nutrients that support brain development.

Do your children love salmon, walnuts, broccoli, flax seeds, trout, and brussels sprouts?

Are they eating them on a weekly basis?

American children, on average, are only getting 20% of the recommended daily amount of DHA, and only about 66% of the recommended amount of Choline.

All of these are essential for healthy brain development and function.

"DHA and EPA are critical nutrients… making up close to 15% of a child's brain. It provides the infrastructure on which the whole brain is built." - Jonathon Wolfson (8:03)

Before you spend the rest of your day trying to figure out how to get your toddler to enjoy trout, read on to hear about how Jonathon and his team has used innovation to help children everywhere get the nutrients they need through healthy, delicious snacks!

Brainiac Kids products are delicious and nutritious!

The team at Brainiac Kids have developed a line of yogurt and applesauce products, and are working on a whole host of snack products. Their Science and Nutrition Advisory Board researched the nutrients and amounts that were most crucial to support a child's growing brain.

The yogurt is offered in both tube and drink format, and in delicious flavors like cherry vanilla, strawberry banana, and strawberry.

The applesauce comes in strawberry, cinnamon, and apple, a variety of different flavors tested thoroughly with children to find the right formula to taste delicious, while staying low in sugar and nutrient dense.

In fact, the yogurt tubes contain 40% less sugar than leading kids' yogurt brands, and the yogurt drinks 50% less!

"I'm a big fan because my son is a big fan… What a moment it is when the product my child chooses is a product that's actually really healthy for them!" - Lori Taylor (19:03)

All of the products include the "Brain Pack," essential brain nutrients blended into tasty snacks for your children.

• 130mg of Omega 3 -DHA/EPA
• 120 mg of Choline
• 160mg of Omega 3 ALA

Brainiac Kids has worked hard to make sure they are providing the most important nutrients at the right levels to provide optimal health for your child's developing brain.

Brainiac Kids is good for your child's health, and for the environment.

Despite being under one year old, Brainiac Kids is B Corp Certified, meeting the highest standards for overall social and environmental standards for health. There isn't a higher certification that businesses can get.

Their team has sourced the yogurt from pasture-raised, non-GMO verified, grass fed cows, doing their part to ensure the products they deliver to you are the highest quality, and are sustainably sourced.

Find Brainiac Kids Products

Brainiac Kids strives to make their products accessible in both availability and cost, healthier and better, while delivering a delicious product that nourishes your growing child's brain.

You can find their products online on their website, on Amazon, at Whole Foods, Target, or a host of other regional grocery stores. Use the Location Finder on their website to find a location near you!

It can be challenging and overwhelming as we think about making sure our children, especially the picky ones, are getting all of the nutrients needed to support their growing bodies.

We are so thankful to have found Brainiac Kids. Our children can snack away on delicious foods they love, while taking in the nutrients needed for their rapidly developing brain!

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!

"Baze is a young, global company, well positioned to make this concept and truth of personal nutrition accessible for all.

Lori Taylor (19:03)

The future of personalized nutrition is NOW.

Allison Baker is a Registered Dietician, the VP of Business Development at Baze, and an absolute superstar in the realm of personalized nutrition.

Baze was founded in 2014 with a mission to revolutionize the personal nutrition industry. Baze utilizes cutting edge technology to test client's blood nutrient levels, tailor a unique supplement plan. They take the guesswork out of nutrition and believe they hold the key to provide optimized healthcare for all.

"The whole purpose of our brand is to empower individual wellness for all." - Allison Baker (29:02)

We are surrounded by supplements, but still in the dark.

When it comes to supplements, there is no shortage. In fact, 73% of the US takes a multivitamin. And yet, 33% of individuals have a nutrient deficiency.

Across the board Americans are deficient in every micronutrient except sodium.

Furthermore, the measurements used to determine the "standard" RDA for nutrients are only aimed to keep you from being deficient, not focused on getting your levels optimized for exceptional health.

The system is broken.

How do we actually know what we need, and how much we should be taking?

We don't.

When we rely on guesswork to help us choose which micronutrients to supplement, and how much of each we should be taking, the statistics show we drastically miss the mark.

This is where Baze comes in.

Nutrition is a personal journey. Your needs are as unique as you are. Baze can help.

Baze is a pioneer in blood nutrient technology.

Nutrient testing through your general practitioner is expensive, time-consuming, and is not typically readily available for the comprehensive set of nutrients tested by Baze. Our healthcare system is focused on treating disease after it happens. Baze believes that focusing on preventative healthcare now will change the future of our wellness and increase our longevity.

It's important to know where you're deficient, and also to know the dosage of nutrients you need to close the gap and optimize your health.

How does Baze work?

The process is simple. Baze sends a testing kit right to your door. The device uses an array of tiny needles paired with suction to provide a virtually painless process. You return the kit, and your blood levels are analyzed.

You then receive a personalized report and supplements are recommended, using a dosing algorithm based on the results, and they are shipped directly to you.

A dietician approves every single dose before it goes out the door.

Three months later your levels are reassessed.

Clients who reassessed saw a 73% decrease in deficiencies. These results are absolutely phenomenal, and unheard of in this industry.

What are the results?

What does it look like to have your nutrient levels optimized? Baze clients have experienced some incredible results.

Including…

• More energy
• More focus
• Optimized Immune System
• Healthier Skin
• Weight Management

If you're like many of us, and struggle to fall into a regular routine of taking a daily supplement, Allison said, "It's ok!" Even taking your personalized supplement every couple of days will still bring your levels to an optimal level. It may just take a little bit longer than the average 12 weeks.

"If we just focused on eating the micronutrients that we need to be healthy… and started eating towards that, and supplementing appropriately and smartly, it would change everything."

- Allison Baker (30:00)

When you give your body the nutrients it needs, it performs in the way it was designed. It was created to thrive, and be healthy.

We spend too much of our time focusing on the things we need to cut out of our diet in order to be healthier. But what if, optimal health wasn't found in the things we eliminated from our diet, but rather the nutrients we put in?

When Produce and Supplements Partner Up.

"Baze is really focused on the mission. This is a company that cares about the end result, to the point that they are actively collaborating with complementary industries… it's really cool to see how authentic the Baze company is." - Lori Taylor (28:19)

Food is the foundation of everything we do. At Produce Moms we know that optimal health begins with an optimal diet.

Supplements are just that - a supplement.

Recently, Baze has partnered with companies like Monterey Mushrooms and Eat Local to pair necessary supplements with real food.

Initiatives like increasing the amount of Vitamin D in Monterey Mushrooms through enhanced UV exposure are revolutionizing your ability to get the nutrients you need from the food you love.

Baze and Eat Local partnered to create pre-prepared meals that contain the most common nutrients that are deficient in our diets. Deploying the power of your personalized vitamins, while tailoring your food intake in support is literally a 360 degree solution to optimize your health.

Optimal health has never been more attainable. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our families to give our bodies the nutrients it needs to live a long, healthy life! So what are you waiting for?

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.
• Listen to Allison's previous interview on the Produce Mom's podcast.
• Learn more about how Baze can help you optimize your health here.
• Learn more about Baze's partnership with Eat Local here.
• Learn more about Baze's partnership with Monterey Mushrooms 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 try to remind folks that we aren't going to run out of potatoes. We still have 13 billion pounds of potatoes that we are shipping across America and around the world."

Frank Muir (7:20-7:35)

Frank Muir has served as the President and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission for the past 17 years. He is leading the charge to help consumers around the world understand that Idaho potatoes are delicious, nutritious, and extremely affordable.

The media is buzzing about a "potato shortage" that could leave us fry-less.

Concerned consumers and businesses alike have been writing in to The Produce Moms to get the scoop on the potato shortage. With dramatic headlines insinuating that America could run out of potatoes - Frank Muir wittily described it as French Fry Famine Fear - we decided to go straight to the source to gather some facts, and put minds (and stomachs) at ease.

In 2019, an early frost and inclement weather from Hurricane Dorian threatened to destroy potato crops not just in Idaho, but in the midwest and parts of Canada.

Idaho farmers and harvesters worked around the clock days before the frost to gather as much of the harvest as possible and were able to get 85% of the crop into storage before the severe weather took out the rest. Some of the remaining crop was salvageable. The yield varied between 0-5%, meaning some fields did experience a total loss.

While it's hard to determine the long-term impact of a loss of this magnitude, many focus on the loss without taking time to consider all of the facts.

The 2019 harvest yielded 13 billion pounds of potatoes! That's enough to fill an entire football stadium end-to-end and one mile high.

The bottom line: There are still plenty of potatoes for everyone.

"They aren't just good to eat, but they're actually good for you. We've made big strides in returning the Idaho potato to its rightful pedestal as America's favorite vegetable."

- Frank Muir (2:30-2:45)

The Harvest Cycle of the Idaho Potato.

To fully comprehend the impact of a diminished harvest on the farmers and consumers alike, it's helpful to understand a little bit more about the harvest cycle of Idaho potatoes.

In Idaho, potatoes are grown along the Snake River Plain that stretches across the bottom third of the state. Potatoes are harvested only once per year, and are then placed in extremely sophisticated climate controlled storage facilities, where they wait to be shipped, sold, and eaten by you!

If you do your best to mimic the climate controlled environment utilized by Idaho potato distributors, your potatoes can last much longer!

"At the end of the day, Idaho potatoes are, dollar for dollar, one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world. I don't know if there is a more affordable commodity in the produce department."

- Lori Taylor (19:05-19:20)

Impact on the Consumer.

As a Produce Mom, I'm sure you are very familiar with the concept of supply and demand. When supply is down, price increases.

So, how will this affect our potato purchases?

While there's potential for price to increase as the Idaho potato supply tightens, the potato will remain a frugal, nutrient-dense purchase.

Consider this - even if Idaho potatoes doubled in cost, they would still only cost on average between $2.00-$5.00 for a 5lb bag.

Can you think of another vegetable in the produce section that you can purchase for $1 per lb?

"Potatoes are the most economical vegetable you can purchase. Even with a tightening supply and prices going up a little bit, it's still going to be the most valuable return for produce that you can purchase in the grocery store" - Frank Muir (9:45-10:15)

'Potato Lovers Month'

Did you know that February is the month to celebrate potatoes?

Baked, fried, or instant, Idaho loves potatoes and wants the world to celebrate with them.

Be on the lookout for displays in one of the over 5000 local grocery stores who participate in the annual display contest, and follow the Idaho Potato Commision on social media to join in the fun!

The Takeaway.

The media outlets have overdramatized the potato crop shortage, leading consumers to believe that the crop may not last through the year.

The Idaho Potato Commission is still promoting and advertising, alongside the vast number of restaurants and grocery stores.

So, never fear, the salty companion to your ketchup should stay hot, fresh, and ready to be dipped for the duration of 2020.

When you're shopping, always look for the 'Grown in Idaho' seal, to buy the very best potatoes have to offer!

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.
• Be sure to check out The Produce Mom podcast EP39, also featuring Frank Muir, to learn more about why the Idaho potato is so special.
• Visit the Idaho Potato Commission's website for recipes and more, and follow them on social media to join in all of the 'Potato Lover' fun!

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!

"You took a non-existent category in the value-added produce section to what today is over 700 million in retail sales."Lori Taylor (2:11-2:18)

Crunch Pak is Proving that Convenience and Health Can Go Hand-in-Hand.

Tony Freytag, Executive VP and co-founder of Crunch Pak, is an absolute legend and pioneer in the produce industry. He took a nonexistent category in the value added produce section and grew it to $700 MILLION is retail sales. Each week, Crunch Pack produces over 250,000 cases of apple products.

Tony was born into the produce family. While he grew up in the city, he was from a family of farmers and each summer would get "shipped off" to the farm. While he grew up immersed each summer in this industry, he decided early in life that agriculture was NOT his career path of choice. However, life came full circle, and eventually he began helping a prominent pear business develop an anti-browning solution. Now he is passionate about getting fresh, delicious produce into the hands of families around the country.

"When it is fresh-cut and ready to eat, it is less likely to end up in the trash, and more likely to be consumed. That is why I never hesitate to purchase things from the value-added section for my family." - Lori Taylor (22:37-22:52)

What is Crunch Pak?

Crunch Pak provides the most convenient delivery of produce into the hands of your family. Fresh apples and pears, sourced from Washington farms, are sliced, packaged and placed in groceries around the country, giving your family the gift of time. Because, let's face it, as moms our lives can get pretty hectic. Crunch Pak wants you to snack healthy, without the stress or hassle of fresh food preparation.

Crunch Pak and the Value of Value-Added Foods.

Why would we buy a packaged bag of apples when they are easy to slice, or could even be eaten whole?

Easy. In our country, 40% of fresh produce is wasted, and a large portion of this percentage happens in our homes. Produce is purchased with the best intentions, and then life gets in the way.

Crunch Pak, is a simple yet effective way to take control of your grocery efficiency. Value-added foods, typically located near the bagged lettuce section in your local grocery, takes the work out of produce prep. Crunch Pak's goal is to help you incorporate more healthy snacks into your family's diet as easily as possible.

Is Crunch Pak Safe for My Family? Is It Healthy?

If these thoughts were rolling through your mind, you aren't alone. Tony has been asked this question countless times over the years.

The answer is a resounding YES!

Crunch Pak's anti-browning agent is made of Calcium and Vitamin C. It is a natural, flavorless additive that keeps produce fresh until you're ready for a snack.

Snacks On Snacks On Snacks

The snack category continues to boom, accounting for $2.6 billion each year.

Crunch Pak works hard to provide healthy snacks that have a well-rounded nutritional profile. They are continually innovating to keep their products on trend and appealing to a wide range of consumers.

With more adults doing "deskside dining," and families constantly on the go, snacks that offer a source of protein go along away to keep your family fueled up. Check out their products page to look at all of the options they have for healthy, convenient snacking.

Crunch Pak has done a fantastic job of partnering with brands that appeal to children. They have proudly co-branded with both Nickelodeon and Disney. Your kids are future consumers. The healthy choices you are helping them make today, will shape the healthy choices they make as an adult.

"Kids are our future customers… The healthier we can make kids today, the healthier they will be later in life."

- Tony Freytag (15:50-15:55)

It's no secret that kids are a target demographic. In fact, Crunch Pak's competition is not other produce companies. There is a beautiful camaraderie between many different companies. The competition comes from the center of the store. The cereal and candy giants who have a fortune to spend on advertising are also targeting the younger demographic. They provide convenience, but will never measure up to the nutritional benefits fresh produce has to offer.

"Everything we do is co-branded because we want strong values and brands to be associated with Crunch Pak. We are co-branding with The Produce Moms because of the value you bring to Crunch Pack." - Tony Freytag. (10:33-11:22)

Exciting News!

Produce Moms is so proud to announce that we are co-branding with Crunch Pak! Crunch Pak is very selective about the businesses they choose to share their name with, which means that this exciting partnership is an incredible honor.

Be on the lookout for co-branded Crunch Pak items in a grocery store near you.

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.
• Find out more about Tony Fretag and Crunch Pak here.
• Connect with Crunch Pak on Facebook.

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!

"Fair Trade empowers the workers and allows them to uplift their living conditions and this is very important for us as a company."

Iris Madrigal (6:12-6:21)

Located in Sonora, Mexico, the mountainous region extending from northern Mexico to southern Arizona, Covilli Brand Organics was formed in 1965 as of Terry Poiriez's pursuit to do things right and take no shortcuts.

Long before organic produce was a thing, Terry and his co-founders were growing food, free of harmful pesticides, chemicals, additives and genetic modification. From the beginning, they believed it was the right thing to do for consumers, farmworkers and the planet.

As a second-generation grower, his son, Alex Madrigal, is now President of Covilli Brand Organics. Alex's wife, Iris is the Marketing Manager as they continue to grow and build Terry Poiriez's legacy and brand.

First Company to be 100% Organic and 100% Fair Trade

After an extensive process, Covilli Brand Organics obtained Fair Trade Certified ™ status from Fair Trade USA in 2015.

Fair Trade is a program that seeks to empower family farmers and workers around the world while enriching the lives of those struggling in poverty.

It goes beyond community development. They obtain both financial literacy and employment literacy. Helping workers understand what their rights are as employees.

For every pound of produce sold, farmworkers earn an additional income earmarked for critical community projects like education and healthcare.

"$800,000 in community development premiums is what the products grown by Covilli has been able to produce through the Fair Trade certification and programming ." - Lori Taylor (7:34-7:47)

To use the Community Development Fund, workers form a Fair Trade Committee; elected amongst themselves. The workers at Covilli chose to call their Committee Nuchi Sansekan, meaning all together in Nahuatl. This name signifies that only by working together can a community attain its goals and true purpose.

Taking care of workers needs

After the Fair Trade Committee was formed, a basic needs poll was conducted to determine the needs of the workers and their families. Covilli's Nachi Sansekan, conducted in-depth personal interviews with over 450 workers. It was concluded that health was a primary need of the workers and their families. Based on these results, workers were offered several Community Project ideas.

One of the largest projects was a health clinic which was inaugurated in January 2019. The clinic was fully funded by Fair Trade Premium Dollars collected from the sale of Covilli Brand Organics Fair Trade Certified™ products and managed by Nuchi Sansekan. The clinic offers general primary and preventative care services for men, women and children; as well as general dentistry services.

"This clinic brings access not only to our farmworkers, but their families, the people from our community and the people from surrounding communities... between 7,000-10,000 people that are with this clinic, receiving access to dental and general health ." - (Iris Madrigal 16:30-16:46)

Today, Covilli's Farm, Agricola Ciari in Guaymas, Mexico, grows the Covilli brand's core items (warm weather crops) in multiple varietals: tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, green beans, peppers, peas, cucumbers and brussels sprouts. All of these crops and the farm are certified organic and fair-trade.

Look for these items in your local grocer and remember, if you don't see something you want, feel free to request it from the produce manager.

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!