Food Processing’s Food For Thought Podcast

Mushrooms, Tinned Fish and 'The Turducken of Confections' Help Set the Trends at Natural Products Expo West

Food Processing editor-in-chief Dave Fusaro stops by the studios to discuss his trip to Natural Products Expo West. Fusaro is a veteran attendee of the show, and he’ll recount the sights — and tastes — that caught his eye while in Anaheim this spring.
From mushroom-based products to tinned fish, Fusaro discusses a variety of products exhibitors had on display — and don't forget the 'turducken of confections,' Fusaro says. Get a good look at the trends in product development and R&D through this episode of the podcast.

Managing Logistics Efficiency, Sustainability in Post-Covid World

Today’s episode is sponsored by Loadsmart
In this episode, George Swartz, vice president of sales for Loadsmart’s Transportation Solutions Group, talks about the logistics challenges that food and beverage processors face currently, as well as the trends leading operations into the future.
Swartz also offers his viewpoints on how the industry can manage its carbon footprint and reach its sustainability goals through innovative logistics opportunities and tactics, and gives his thoughts on how and when he believes electric vehicles will start to really impact supply chain and logistics.
Learn more about how Loadsmart Managed Transportation can help lower freight costs.

Editorial Panel: What the 2024 Presidential Election Might Mean for Manufacturing

In this episode of the Food For Thought podcast, Andy Hanacek, senior editor of Food Processing, joins the editors of several brands in the Endeavor Business Media family, of which Food Processing is a member, to discuss what the outcome of the upcoming presidential election could mean for the various segments of the manufacturing industry they cover.
The video was hosted by Industry Week and published as a part of its “Production Pulse” series, and Hanacek represented Food Processing to shed some light on how the political landscape is affecting the food and beverage industry. Laura Putre, senior editor of Industry Week, moderated the panel and led the discussion. Thanks to our friends at Industry Week for allowing us to share this content directly with you, our listeners. I hope you enjoy the episode.
You can also visit Industry Week’s site to view the video of this panel discussion.

Improve Sustainability Efforts and Avoid Greenwashing to Earn Customer, Consumer Trust

Having recently retired from her role as chief strategy and brand officer for Bon Appetit Management Co., Maisie Ganzler still has a special place in her heart for helping the food and beverage industry reach its sustainability potential. Ganzler remains a strategic advisor for Bon Appetit, but she also has published a book titled, “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime, and Other Lessons from the Food Industry for Creating a More Sustainable Company.”
In conjunction with the release of the book this week, Ganzler joins the Food For Thought podcast to discuss how processors can better communicate their sustainability initiatives and achievements, avoiding greenwashing and improving their image and the trust their customers and consumers have in their brands.

Rich Products Sees Shifting Social Trends Driving Opportunity for Food & Beverage

Amanda Buonopane, senior manager of strategic insights for Rich Products, says social gatherings are in flux, and Rich’s sees consumer preferences shifting accordingly.
In this episode of the podcast, Buonopane shares the research Rich’s has gathered around the eating occasions that come with social gatherings today, and also shares some of the analysis that the team has done around those findings.

The Impact of Value-Added Beef Product Trends from Processing Plant to Plate

Brett Erickson, director of Prepared and Packaged Solutions for Certified Angus Beef, discusses how value-added product trends are driving changes for consumers, foodservice operators and processors — and how innovation is helping to push the envelope further. Additionally, Erickson offers his insights into how CAB and the industry can adjust to consumer demand in response to inflation and higher food prices overall.

Driving Sustainability Through Industry Coalition

Eric Mittenthal, chief strategy officer for the North American Meat Institute, joined me during last month’s International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. We discussed the Institute’s Protein PACT initiative, its success thus far and goals moving forward, as well as what any segment of the food industry can learn from how Protein PACT has brought together processors.

Challenges and Opportunities in Export Markets for U.S. Food, Beverage and Agricultural Products

Food Processing attended the International Production & Processing Expo, or IPPE, in Atlanta, and participated in a news conference with Alexis Taylor, under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at USDA. With the small group of journalists in attendance, under secretary Taylor offered her thoughts on the export markets currently, and also addressed two questions from FP senior editor Andy Hanacek.
Hanacek asked how the outside world perceives the U.S. food system when states rush to pass legislation ahead of and often in competition with the federal regulations in place, and which U.S. products are most coveted in the export market nowadays.

How Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Can Meet Consumer Demands in 2024

Cindy Wu, vice president of marketing for Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Food, joins us for this episode of the Food For Thought podcast.
In today’s episode, she and Andy Hanacek discuss the growth in popularity of Indian cuisine and how Sukhi’s is doing its part to help build growth in those flavors and styles in the U.S.
In addition, Wu offers her insights into how processors of frozen and refrigerated foods are responding in the wake of inflation and food price increases, as well as the trends driving those categories heading into 2024.

The Trends Driving Sustainable Sourcing and Packaging in 2024

Trisha McRoberts, corporate vice president and chief procurement officer for Golden State Foods, joins us for this episode of the Food For Thought podcast to share her insights on sustainable sourcing and packaging. Where does the industry stand after years of innovation and advancement, what is holding North American consumers and companies back, and what are some of Golden State Foods’ success stories in this arena?