The Tidbit

In the name of efficiency and the advent of globalization, we’ve been even more removed from each piece of the supply chain funnel - which then creates a lack of transparency and a lack of control on your supply, inclusive of quality and cost. On this episode, we learn more about the business case as to why "Chipotle is putting farmers under contracts to prevent carne asada shortages" and the impact it has on young farmers. Tune in to hear from the writer of this piece, Danielle Wiener-Bronner, who chats with us about supply chain and her experience overall covering the food sector for CNN Business.

With global migration and pandemics knocking at our doorsteps, how are we thinking about our supply chains - who they are benefitting, how they are contributing to the health of our planet and not extracting from it, and how we have more direct relationships with the food we are consuming to know the true impact of how its grown in a healthy and transparent way. This is why we’re sitting down to talk with Sarela Herrada, the Founder of SIMPLi. She focuses on ethical food sourcing to create a vertically integrated supply chain from working directly with the international farming communities to the distribution of products to market. Prior to SIMPLi, Sarela spent 5 years at CAVA Group, where she led supply chain strategy and execution - which included national foodservice distribution for 350+ restaurants under two brand catalogs (CAVA + Zoe's Kitchen) - purchasing over 150MM+ spend and 300+ unique SKUs in various categories. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

With global migration and pandemics knocking at our doorsteps, how are we thinking about our supply chains - who they are benefitting, how they are contributing to the health of our planet and not extracting from it, and how we have more direct relationships with the food we are consuming to know the true impact of how its grown in a healthy and transparent way. This is why we’re sitting down to talk with Sarela Herrada, the Founder of SIMPLi. She focuses on ethical food sourcing to create a vertically integrated supply chain from working directly with the international farming communities to the distribution of products to market. Prior to SIMPLi, Sarela spent 5 years at CAVA Group, where she led supply chain strategy and execution - which included national foodservice distribution for 350+ restaurants under two brand catalogs (CAVA + Zoe's Kitchen) - purchasing over 150MM+ spend and 300+ unique SKUs in various categories. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

What are you doing to strengthen your workforce, to create camaraderie and community amongst your staff because there are so many foodservice job opportunities on the table? We’re sitting down to talk with Ona Balkus, DC Food Policy Director, to discuss their latest report Make Food Work: A Strategy to Strengthen the DC Food Workforce. Ona’s provides a road map for improving job quality and expanding career pathways within the District’s food workforce. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

I always admire individuals who choose, over and over again, a life full of intention — especially when starting food businesses. Why? This industry can try one's patience time and time again with low margins, competitors entering and exiting constantly, and consumer dining habits ever-changing. How does one weather this fluctuation of emotion over multiple generations? I could think of no better than the dads and sons quadruple, Chef KN Vinod and Surfy Rahman, co-owners of Indique, and their respective sons, Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman, Founders of RASA. On this episode we talk about their respective business models, how they’re continuing to evolve, and how to set boundaries and wade through emotions of being in-business with your family and friends. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

What makes a product, a person, an initiative newsworthy? How do you stay relevant and tap into our cultural zeitgeist to get on the radar of journalists and media professionals? We sit down with Kara Elder, food and cooking writer (The Washington Post, Vox, Eaten: A Food History Magazine, and more!), to talk about her collaboration project - SMALL BATCH, People + Recipes from Around DC - with local artist Marcella Kriebel. We chat about the entrepreneurs highlighted in the cookbook, what trends we see emerging for local, small business in 2020, and how to craft a perfect media pitch.

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Building a business is a lot like dating. It’s also pretty much the same as maintaining any relationship in your life - with friends, with family, with intimate partners. How are we showing up? How are we maintaining respect and being mindful of one’s time and boundaries? What about just small touches of care and comfort? These are all important - not just in your personal life, but also professional. In fact, it could be the make or break for even staying in business! Everyone messes up. But those who approach a situation with humility, who have built that trust overtime, will fair the storm much easier. We're joined on this episode by Cureate's very own Director of Connection, Kathleen Overman. Tune in to learn more about her journey and tips on how to build more meaningful relationships. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Main Street Programs aim to revitalize their downtowns and commercial districts through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. On this episode, we debunk the myth that Main Streets are dead. We’re joined in-studio by a group of incredible individuals who are in the fight to keep Main Streets alive — especially here in the District! — and how they’re adapting to the change in market forces and consumer demands. We have Kyle Todd and Jessica Mailander of Rhode Island Avenue Main Street, and Aster Abeje, Owner of 7 Days Market located on Rhode Island Avenue NE.

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As defined by Investopedia, Public-private partnerships involve collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects. We sit down to discuss inclusive innovation and breaking down barriers to entry with Joy James, Tech & Innovation Portfolio Manager for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. BONUS: a SPECIAL announcement from Team Cureate and an innovation accelerator program we are launching!

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It can seem impossible for small to midsize farmers to survive in this world because they aren’t provided the monetary runway that big machines of businesses are afforded. It has always been hard, but especially with the increase of unpredictable weather, trade wars, and monopolies along our supply chains - it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage and make a living by being a farmer. Maybe you’ve heard this before, kind of understand it, but don’t REALLY know why it would be so challenging — from a business standpoint. We explore the federal policy and regulations that are effecting our businesses with Dan Imhoff, the author of The Farm Bill: A Citizen's Guide.

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