Fresh Takes On Tech

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50. High-Yielding Organic Farming w/ Russ Hamlin of Grimmway Farms May 31, 2022

Show notes

Some weeds produce 250,000 viable seeds per plant. When you’re an organic farmer caring for your soil and crops by hand, one weed can cause a huge problem!

So why do farmers go organic if it’s so difficult?

In this episode I talked to Russell Hamlin, General Manager at Grimmway Farms, about organic agriculture, the challenges of organic farming and why it’s so important. George Szczepanski, Director, Production, Supply Chain & Environmental Policy at International Fresh Produce Association joins us at the end of the episode to talk about the association and why organic farming is important to the industry, the environment and the consumer.

Join us as we discuss:

Why Grimmway Farms believes strongly in organic farming
The challenges surrounding organic farming
The importance of soil health and maintenance in organic farming

49. The Harmony of Regenerative Agriculture May 24, 2022

Show notes

Often we don’t see it until it’s been packaged and placed on the shelves, but the fruits and vegetables we consume on a daily basis are grown from an ever-changing set of practices concerning environmental, social and governance factors.

But how is that system sorted, refined and defined? That’s where Shelby comes in.

In this episode of Fresh Takes on Tech, I’m joined by Shelby Layne, Director, ESG Hub at Bolthouse Farms, to talk about how she’s taking on the complicated ecosystem of regenerative agriculture.

Join us as we discuss:

The ESG Hub and it’s connection to regenerative agriculture
What it means to help create harmony with regenerative agriculture
Working towards creating a transparent and unified system of agriculture

48. Trust the Organic Label w/ Kathleen Merrigan May 17, 2022

Show notes

The organic ecosystem is as varied and complex as the U.S landscape. The industry faces a number of challenges including consumer confusion around what organic means, input and product shortages in organic supply chains, competition from new environmental labels, and the concern that some NOP rules are limiting further growth and innovation that has been achieved in other markets.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director and Professor at the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems Arizona State University and the Former Deputy Secretary of USDA, to talk about the complexity of organic and the potential for its future.

Join us as we discuss:

The definition and standards of organic,
How does sustainable agriculture and vertical farming fit in
Acceptance of biotechnology and genome technology in organic agriculture

Resources:

47. Sustainability in the Produce Industry with Tamara Muruetagoiena Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

Sustainability and its practices are constantly changing. Companies are seeing the value of having a dedicated team member to help navigate and speak to these changes.

In a special episode of Fresh Takes on Tech, I’m joined by Tamara Muruetagoiena, our new Director of Sustainability at International Fresh Produce Association, to talk about her new role at IFPA and sustainability.

Join us as we discuss:

What Tamara is excited to accomplish at IFPA
How the produce industry is adopting sustainability practices
The role of policy and regulation in sustainability and some of the things slowing down the adoption
The next season of Fresh Takes on Tech

46. How to Break our Dependence on Plastics in the Food Chain Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

It makes sense why we use so much plastic in the food supply chain: It’s versatile, predictable, and sterile. But with so much of it ending up in landfills, does the positive outweigh the negative?

In this episode, I’m joined by William Orts, Research L eader at USDA-ARS, to tal k about solutions to the plastic problem, differences between degradability, and plans for the future.

Join us as we discuss:

3 most important mandates & plastic’s role in the food supply chain
The difference between compostable, degradable, and recyclable
The most important breakthroughs that need to take place
Patenting technology & strategizing for the year

More information about guest William Ort:

USDA-ARS Company Website: https://www.ars.usda.gov/

45. How Robotics and AI are Revolutionizing Agriculture Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

What if you could oversee and make adjustments — brushing every bug away or providing nutrients at the exact moment they are needed — at every stage of growth for a single fruit or vegetable?

It may sound like a pipe dream — but robotics and ai are making it a reality.

Gabe Sibley, Lawrence Ibarria, and Curtis Garner, the founders of Verdant Robotics, join the show to share how robotics as a platform is revolutionizing agriculture.

Join us as we discuss:

Why solving agricultural challenges appeals to technologists

The unprecedented control robotics and automation give agronomists

Why robotics is the best tool for sustainable, organic agriculture

To hear all the freshest interviews in the produce industry, subscribe to Fresh Takes on Tech on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

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44. Fighting Food Waste Throughout the Supply Chain Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Companies are fighting to end food waste in more ways than one, from packaging technology to supply chain innovations.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dana Gunders, Executive Director of ReFED, who discusses the scope of the food waste problem and effective solutions, and Aidan Mouat, CEO and C o-Founder of Hazel Technologies, Inc., who talks about the role of innovation and new technologies in reducing food waste throughout the supply chain.

Join us as we discuss:

New and emerging technology in the war against food waste
How to effectively implement supply chain and infrastructure innovations
3 ways the produce industry could reduce food loss

More information about guests Dana Gunders and Aidan Mouat:

Dana Gunders’ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-gunders/
ReFED Company Website: https://refed.org/
Aidan Mouat’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mouat-53ba661a/
Hazel Technologies, Inc. Company Website: https://www.hazeltechnologies.com/

43. How Sustainability Strengthens Your Organization Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Organizations have long paid lip service to sustainability…

But these days, people are paying attention and it’s no longer enough to talk the talk.

If you can’t walk the walk on sustainability, you are putting your business at risk.

In this episode, I’m joined by Joel Makower, Chairman and Co-Founder of GreenBiz Group, who shares why sustainability matters more than ever and how you can start sustaining your business for the long-haul by becoming more sustainable.

Join us as we discuss:

How sustainability mitigates risk
The evolution of the sustainability role in business
3 steps for making sustainability a priority in your business

PMA Takes on Tech, Episode 42: Plenty’s link to retailers and consumers Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Today’s conversation is with Dana Worth, Senior Vice President at Plenty. Prior to Plenty, Dana spent nearly 6 years as VP of Sales and in Business Operations at Impossible Foods. Dana is a wealth of information on commercializing products in mission driven companies in high growth stages. We talk about the push and pull of retailers and consumers for healthy, nutritious food and looking for the “plant-based food moment” for CEA.

PMA Takes on Tech, Episode 41: Innovation at Revol Greens Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

This podcast dives deep into genetics and CEA. I talk to Mohammed Oufattole, the newly named Chief Tech Oufattole at Revol Greens. Revol Greens is a CEA lettuce producer with locations in MN, CA, TX and GA. Their growth goal is to supply greens to the continental US consumer within 24 hours of harvest from one of their many locations. Mohammed has a deep background in genetics and brings experience of building new teams in R&D to Revol. He talks about the gains that can be made through breeding and why he is enthusiastic about CEA. Geek alert: This is one of my favorite topics but we keep it general enough I think all can enjoy!

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