TLC Todd-versations

“It is about meeting consumers where they are and finding what works, not what threatens them. Dangling the carrot of consumption is about convenience, availability, and education. Not just about pointing out an unhealthy lifestyle.” Todd Linsky

Produce for Better Health Foundation launched the Have a Plant movement as an invitation to eat and enjoy fruits and vegetables. Listen as Todd chats with Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak about the work they do, the support they receive, and what they have learned about shopping and consumption habits over the years.

“Let’s start where we are and do what we can with what we have.”

Wow! Stephanie Jerger of the OTA hits the nail on the head as she chats with Todd about what we can do to promote diversity, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. 

Organic has a champion! Stephanie is creating tools and techniques to support all of us at the intersection of diversity and entrepreneurship in ag. It means coming alongside, listening, and answering the call to support and mentor underserved and underrepresented populations.

Get involved! Learn more at ota.com/diversity.

Southern Innovations may be a misnomer.

Contrary to what the name might imply, this show, put on by the Southeast Produce Council, is farm from regional. Listen as Todd chats with the chair, Raina Nelson, and the heir to that position, Tim Graas. This group of problem solvers is willing to invest in innovation, research, and discovery of areas of interest with water and energy supplies, food insecurity, ag technology, and regenerative practices.

Join them at Southern Innovations, September 22-24, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center to discover why this is a must-attend. It's always family with SEPC!

“It was cash and guns; bruised knees and hurt egos were a part of the climb.”

This episode is way more than a produce retrospective. Listen as Todd chats with Darrell Beyer, founder of The Beyer Company, Bluebird Mountain Organics, Naturally Grown Organics, and House of Dates. 

Darrell is a champion for the produce industry, has the heart of a lion, and has the genuine spirit of fellowship. These gents discussed the pirate ship that was the old Los Angeles produce market, the unpredictable nature of what they see in fresh produce today, and that “Eating organic produce is not a trend. It is a return to tradition”.

"Issues like labor and immigration are treated with a band aid instead of being viewed as an opportunity for change." Todd Linsky

"Get invovled." Tom Stenzel

It's a call-to-action moment between two produce powerhouses, Tom Stenzel and Todd-versations', Todd Linsky. Listen to this highly impactful discussion about the fresh produce industry. They challenge us to participate and share our opinions on everything from the Farm Bill to the SNAP program. Produce is a welcoming family of dozens of different affiliations. Let's work together.

"I want to make sure that our say-do ratio is very high." Brian Kocher, President and CEO of Calavo Growers.

Get your seatbelt on and come along for the ride.

Don't miss this chat. Todd-versations open the door to a conversation between two industry optimists. Todd and Brian discuss topics ranging from transparency, communication, competition, sustainability, and more.

And don't miss the ending. The bonus round includes a no holds barred chat on the consequences of the economy's contractions and supply chain issues stateside and internationally.

There is no profit in curing the body, if in the process we destroy the soul. Samuel Golter

Where do you look for hope?

Todd-versations is honored to share a glimpse into the good work done at City of Hope, partly in thanks to their collaboration with the produce industry, specifically the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Team Produce.

The opportunities and the need to duplicate these efforts are endless. The produce industry is generous with their time and tireless in their efforts to serve. Clinics, research wings, drug trials, and more have been supported and funded by the generous collaborations between the fresh produce industry and wonderful campuses like City of Hope.

My job is to lift people up.

Our industry’s job is to keep food out of furrows and landfills.

We are in a relationship-based business.

There is a tremendous amount of ground covered in the conversation between Todd and Michael Schutt of Raley’s. We chatted about the paradigm shift in our relationship with food, the challenges of feeding people good food at a reasonable price, and their commitment to nourish people, communities, and the planet through action.

Raley’s is empowering informed decisions in every aisle, supporting their neighbors when they need it most, and prioritizing sustainability at every level. Check out their story.

Make fresh fruit and vegetables easy!

Listen as Todd and Jeremy Taylor of DNO Produce bounce back and forth on topics. What is local; what will it take to get more fresh fruit and vegetables in schools: how has social media opened the doors for what you do? 

What else? Well, you’ll have to listen in to find out, because “we’re hiding the spinach in the soup”!

Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. (Uri Levine, waze Co-Founder) 

If your focus is solely on finding the solution you will never get started. (Todd Linsky)

Rich Dachman of Brighter Bites  has delivered a call to action for the fresh produce industry that is hard to set aside. Listen as he chats about how they are working to change the behavior of families and communities, one school at a time. Brighter Bites believes that their formula of education, support, relationship building, and excellent produce is a prescription for health. We agree at Todd-versations, and their data collection validates their premise.