TLC Todd-versations

Can DNA be repaired naturally? Can chitin be broken down? Can mushrooms act as a telephone line between other plants?

Listen as Todd chats with David Law of Gourmet Mushroom/Mycopia and get the answers. Learn about the studies conducted with culinary and nutraceutical mushrooms. There is so much more discovery ahead with Mother Nature!

How else would you greet someone at Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure, “Produce, The Final Frontier,” but with the Vulcan salute, Live Long and Prosper - "dif-tor heh smusma" ?

Tim Graas of Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kristen Yerecic Scott of Yerecic Label, and Michael Roberts of Harps Foods share ways you can support the vision of “Innovation Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”. Todd agrees that doing something when you get home is the perfect call to action.

Don’t expect to remain neutral after listening. In fact, please don’t remain neutral!

Today, Todd chats with Stephanie Nash about everything from cow masks and diapers, to the suicide rate of farmers, to alternative food products.

She’s willing to sit down and have a conversation about uncomfortable topics, raise awareness, and protect a way of life that has been central to the success of our country, that of a family farmer. It’s going to take a lot more than an approval rating to frighten her.

Who self-polices in a way that engenders trust? The organic industry does, and for the last 25 years, the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) has served the organic industry and the certification process by listing and verifying input products intended for use in organic production.

Listen as Todd chats with Orsi about OMRI’s commitment to the global organic community, what that means to the industry, and what it means to ensure public trust.

“All of our team members are with Earth Fare for a reason. They believe in our food philosophy. They believe in what we stand for.” -Laurie Aker

Todd has seen Earth Fare’s return to their roots. In talking with Laurie Aker, their mission and values are clear. Their culture of helping and providing the best and safest food and home products translates to their customers. And it appears in their bottom line as they continually surpass their goals.

Embrace a better way to shop!

Do as I say, not as I do. Really? How’s that working for you?

Kat Soltanmorad, Director of Food and Nutritional Services for Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, has much to say about aligning what we say and what we do. Listen as she chats with Todd about everything from farm subsidies to the rain washing out the ability to harvest crops in California.

Let’s support our kids with the food they need to get a fair start in life and back it up with a consistent message.

Drop the mike, folks. Katie Seawell of Bowery Farming has much to share with Todd as they chat about creating a transformational brand in an already competitive salad space.

Here’s a nugget from Katie.

“I can’t overstate how important I think mission is to a company and its ultimate success. When people are clear and aligned on what the vision of the company is and are committed to it, it’s amazing what can happen.” -Katie Seawell

"It's our job to listen." DJ Stornetta

Sewing circles. Water cooler gossip. Rumor mills. All these things can erode a company's efforts to build its culture.

When you hire a talent acquisition firm, be sure to investigate its reputation. Because at the end of the day, the only thing that spreads faster than leaked information is a virus.

Listen as Todd chats with DJ and Nathan Stornetta of Produce Careers about what they've built their reputation on, integrity, honesty, insight, and the ability to find the right talent for the right job.

Realizing the scarcity of superior candidates, what will you do to find your unicorn?

Partnerships. People. Price. Promotion.

Todd and Jeff Martin chat past, present, and future of retail on today’s episode of Todd-versations. Don’t miss this laser-focused discussion.

Yes, the helicopter story is real!

Scaling a business? Cash is huge.

When you’re trying to grow a business, focus on four areas, according to Nick Mascari of Mascari Strategy Group. “You can get by with average strategy, mediocre people, and subpar execution, but if you don’t have a cash flow, you can grow broke.” 

Todd and Nick chatted about C-suit responsibilities. Like defining and explaining the vision in a way that excites, motivates, and engages the entire company and then getting in the weeds to make sure that the mission, vision, and goals are actualized.

Great chat. Great guy. What a way to end 2022!