TLC Todd-versations

Built on the pillars of NICE, Networking, Innovation, Community, and Education, the Southeast Produce Council works to get it right. 

Growing up in an agricultural family in Florida, Raina Nelson shares life lessons she learned first-hand. Lessons that prepared her to take the helm of Westfalia U.S.A. as well as chair the SEPC. She feels privileged to be a part of an industry and council that serves the needs of people worldwide. 

Todd chatted with Raina about exciting programs that make the SEPC successful, Sothern Roots and STARS. SEPC is committed to developing the "next generation of superheroes." Fellow Gator, Tim Tebow, will keynote their event held this March 3-5 at the Swan and Dolphin on the Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida.

All gas, no brakes!

You've got to listen to Todd and Tonya Antle chat. Their shared stories will make you laugh and perhaps give some insight into ways to build both a personal and professional relationship that has spanned decades. To the benefit of the produce industry, Tonya's life took a turn that brought her back to the valley she grew up believing she would leave. Listen to the story of a woman whose tenacity, vision, and grace bloomed an industry.

Get out of the center of the store and get into the produce department!

They said this broadcast would go off the rails. Find out who’s steering the shopping cart on today’s Todd-Bits.

While laughing about sports, Todd-versations and Tony Mitchell find their way to chat about important topics like the AWG Cares Program, labor, and logistics.

Associated Wholesale Grocers is a member owned, member run, grocery co-op. With nine and soon ten distribution centers AWG supports over 3300 independent grocers across our country. If you find it within the four walls of a grocery store, AWG services and supports it.

Perception is all about reframing the conversation.

Todd-versations had a great experience chatting with Tommy Short. Think Better Perform Better is devoted to helping individuals and corporations develop habits that drive success. His advice, be willing to show up and do more. Cultivate the A.C.E. principle, Attitude, Confidence, and Effort. And to round out the three, Do Boring Better.

Harness the power that's between your ears.

What do positive cost of food, hyperspectral analysis, and plant lipids have in common?

Find out as Todd-versations chats with Dave Nelley of Apeel Sciences about the work they are doing to fine-tune the supply chain by reducing food waste, making better use of diminishing resources, and providing time to market various fresh fruit and vegetable products. They want to be known as guardians of whole food with their mission to create abundance for all. Apeel is Food Gone Good!

Thrive Market is mission-driven. You will hear on this Todd-versation who they are and what they do to fulfill their goals. Lower their carbon footprint, giving back to communities, relief aid, zero waste, and certified B-corp.

Jeremiah McElwee boldly lives this lifestyle and wants to make sure we have the opportunity to be a part of it by broadening our access to and understanding of healthier products. Look no further than Thrive Market for an example of "Do Better Retailing."

Connecting members. Increasing knowledge. Growing business. Collectively advancing the industry.

Those four points are pillars of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council's mission statement. Todd-versations' Todd-Bits had the opportunity to chat with Don Gann about why they do the right things for the right reasons. FPFC works tirelessly to give back, making a difference not only for their constituency but for the communities in which they do business.

Listen as we hear Don share about upcoming association events Like the Expo's "Salute to fresh Produce" April 5-6, their luncheon March 16 with Tom Stenzel of International Fresh Produce Association, and their Apprentice Program that continues to accept applicants now through February 13.

Don shared that it is as easy as going to FPFC.org to join and contribute to an association that values relationships, supports networking, and fosters education.

Todd-versations always ask each of us to inspire someone. 

Listen as we hear as Ann shares ways the Chef Ann Foundation has worked to help grow children to their potential in the company of such standouts as Michelle Obama, Alice Waters, Courtney Sale Ross, Whole Foods Market, and more.

This episode is inspiring and a roadmap, similar to the Foundation's "School Food 101."  The Heavy lifting completed; this is an easy can do. Try sitting down with a child to eat a meal, cook with them, shop with them, model healthy eating practices. They are watching and learning more from what we do than we can imagine.

Ann Cooper lives a full life and continues to impact our world in ways that will be felt for generations to come. Be inspired!

RICH SUPPORT. The mission of the Southeast Produce Council and their flagship networking event, Southern Exposure, is to bring together diverse aspects of the fresh produce industry as they impact this “super-regional” market. Go Dawgs, Roll Tide, and the Florida Gator snap were several fun aspects of this talk with David Sherrod and Todd. Get the 411 on this group that believes faith, fellowship, family, and fun can all be used in one sentence and at one event! See you there March 3-5 in Orlando, FL.

Don’t let this sweet face fool you! Todd-versations has an all-out, no holds barred conversation with our UK compatriot, Max MacGillivray, about everything from developing in kids a passion for fresh food to bumper stickers in New York City. This episode will “lift the kilt” and give you a peek at what to expect from these two in 2022.