Markets to Menus by ArrowStream

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Join David twice a month, for just 30 minutes , as he delivers a concise exploration of the commodities that move global markets and local kitchens—followed by a discussion with leading food-supply-chain experts who add practical context, best practices, and solutions to today's challenges and opportunities.

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57 recent

August 13, 2026Episode 531 min

Hormuz Watch, Restaurant Reality Check

Welcome back to Markets to Menus. This episode breaks down what's happening across the food supply chain — from the global commodity markets all the way down to your bottom line. First, I'm joined by John Goodwin, Senior Commodity Analyst at ArrowStream, for a read on what's moving the markets right now: an update on the Strait of Hormuz and its ripple effects on fuel and fertilizer, why sugar prices came roaring back to life, and what you need to know about tightening chicken supplies. Then we switch gears with Brian Foster, President of Back Office at Buyer's Edge Platform, for a candid look at how independent restaurants are holding up in 2026 as food and labor costs keep climbing — plus practical, ready-to-use best practices operators can put to work today, including how AI is starting to level the playing field for smaller operators. Connect with our host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Connect with our Guests: John Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goodwin-23574a129/ Brian Foster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-foster-0361b119/ This episode is brought to you by ArrowStream CommodityONE, delivering superior commodity research and forecasts powered by deep Industry expertise & cutting edge AI. Find out more about us here: https://arrowstream.com/commodityone-for-foodservice-supply-chain/

July 30, 202633 min

Bacon, Beef, & Brinker

Welcome back to Markets to Menus. In this episode, David Maloni is joined by John Goodwin, Senior Commodity Analyst at ArrowStream, for a discussion on the latest developments in the grain and oilseed growing season, an analysis of last week's USDA cattle inventory report, and an outlook on pork bellies ahead of what may be their strongest week of the year. Following that conversation, David sits down with James Butler, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy Officer, and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Brinker International, to discuss the company's significant growth at Chili's, the strategies behind building a supply chain capable of scaling with that growth, and his perspective on where the food supply chain is headed. This episode is brought to you by ArrowStream CommodityONE, the industry's leading commodity research and forecasting platform, combining over 40 years of expertise with cutting-edge AI. Connect with our host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Connect with our Guests: John Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goodwin-23574a129/ James Butler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmbutler83/ This episode is brought to you by ArrowStream CommodityONE, delivering superior commodity research and forecasts powered by deep Industry expertise & cutting edge AI. Find out more about us here: https://arrowstream.com/commodityone-for-foodservice-supply-chain/

July 9, 2026Episode 323 min

Grains, Dairy & Data

In this episode of Markets to Menus, we start with John Goodwin from ArrowStream for a market update on the latest USDA data moving dairy and grain markets, along with the geopolitical forces still shaping commodity volatility. We break down softer dairy markets, firmer pork, weakness in chicken and beef cutouts, and why recent gasoline and diesel lows may not fully reflect the tighter supply-demand picture underneath. Then I’m joined by Jeff Dorr, Division President – SaaS at Buyers Edge Platform, the parent company of ArrowStream, for a conversation on the evolution and outlook of the foodservice supply chain. Jeff walks through how technology, data, and AI are becoming more visible and actionable for operators, distributors, and manufacturers—and why the future of AI in foodservice has to be tied directly to business outcomes. Connect with our host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Connect with our Guests: John Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goodwin-23574a129/ Jeff Dorr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedorr This episode is brought to you by ArrowStream CommodityONE, delivering superior commodity research and forecasts powered by deep Industry expertise & cutting edge AI. Find out more about us here: https://arrowstream.com/commodityone-for-foodservice-supply-chain/

June 25, 2026Episode 226 min

Scarce Cattle, Smart Supply

Welcome back to Markets to Menus . In this episode, our host David Maloni is joined again by John Goodwin, Senior Commodity Analyst at ArrowStream, to break down the latest moves across commodity markets, including the ripple effects of the Iran-U.S. conflict, fuel market pressure, cattle supply tightness, Brazil weather impacts, and what those developments could mean for foodservice buyers. Later, David sits down with Megan Posenato, Vice President of Supply Chain and Quality Assurance at NAYA, a fast-growing Middle Eastern fast-casual brand rooted in Lebanese recipes and family tradition. Megan shares what she learned helping scale Shake Shack’s supply chain from roughly 40 to 500 U.S. locations, what she is building now at NAYA, and why inventory visibility, supplier relationships, forecasting, technology, and strong teams are essential for emerging restaurant brands. Connect with our host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Connect with our guests: John Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goodwin-23574a129/ Megan Posenato: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-posenato-68150748 NAYA: https://www.eatnaya.com/ This episode is brought to you by ArrowStream CommodityONE, delivering superior commodity research and forecasts powered by deep Industry expertise & cutting edge AI. Find out more about us here: https://arrowstream.com/commodityone-for-foodservice-supply-chain/

March 24, 202545 min

Innovating Food Supply Chains with Wiggs Civitillo Founder of Starfish Networks

Our guest today is Wiggs Civitillo, the founder and CEO of Starfish Networks, an innovative company driving traceability and connectivity in food supply chains. In today's episode, Wiggs shares how major tech players like IBM have shaped this space and how Starfish Networks uniquely connects over 200 different traceability solutions. We dive deep into the critical challenges facing food supply chain technology today and why these technological advancements are essential. During our insightful conversation, Wiggs clarified common misconceptions around blockchain technology and explained precisely how Starfish Networks fosters secure data sharing, compliance, and real-time visibility. We discuss the impacts of the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act Rule 204, highlighting how non-compliance could significantly affect companies across the industry. Wiggs also reveals personal insights on food tech innovation, including valuable lessons learned from his impressive experience at IBM Food Trust and how Starfish Networks is fundamentally changing the landscape of food traceability. Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Connect with Wiggs: https://www.starfish-network.com/ info@starfish-network.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiggs-civitillo/ Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Food Supply Chain Liability and Innovation 00:01:20 - Welcoming Wiggs Civitillo, Founder and CEO of Starfish Networks 00:02:37 - What is Starfish Networks and its mission? 00:05:18 - Wiggs' background and journey into food technology 00:07:41 - Explanation of Fintech and Blockchain Technology 00:11:15 - Overview of IBM Food Trust and blockchain’s role in food traceability 00:15:32 - Biggest success stories from IBM Food Trust 00:18:51 - Challenges faced implementing traceability solutions 00:22:08 - Why Wiggs started Starfish Networks and how it differs from IBM 00:26:20 - How Starfish Networks integrates multiple traceability solutions 00:30:10 - Benefits of collaboration and efficiency in food supply chains 00:36:09 - Helping companies with internal disconnected data systems 00:37:02 - Impact of the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 00:40:04 - Legal and reputational risks from non-compliance with FSMA Rule 204 00:43:07 - How companies can partner with Starfish Networks 00:44:15 - Conclusion and Wrap-up I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors

April 8, 2024Episode 1045 min

Trends Across Menu Data: Insights into Consumer Preferences with Mike Lukianoff, CEO and Founder of SignalFlare.ai

Welcome back to the show! Today's guest innovator is Michael Lukianoff, seasoned restaurant revenue and analytics manager and current CEO and Founder of SignalFlare.ai by Extropy 360. In this episode, Mike offers a data buffet that emphasizes understanding and adapting to economic shifts in the general food service industry. He shares his insights on leveraging data for high-impact decisions and expertly navigating the challenges and changes in the restaurant industry by using pricing and menu data analysis. The conversation pivots into how the right pricing strategy can make or break a restaurant's profitability and how it's intertwined with marketing and consumer behavior. Mike further details the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the impact of economic disparities on spending habits. We also explore the industry's struggle with staffing post-COVID and the potential for technology to address these issues. And as always… we wrap up by emphasizing the value of community and conversation in the food supply chain. Thank you, once again, for tuning in. Connect With the Host: David Maloni’s LinkedIn Connect With Our Guest: Michael Lukianoff’s LinkedIn Connect with Datum FS: https://datumfs.com/ Timestamps 02:48 - Meet Michael Lukianoff 04:24 - The Evolution Of Restaurant Menu Pricing 08:35 - Exploring The Significance Of Menu Pricing In The Restaurant Industry And On Profitability 12:44 - How Consumer Behavior Influences Menu Pricing And Trends Across Menu Data 17:37 - Mike’s Insights Into The Current State Of The Consumer Economy 24:29 - Changes In Consumer Habits During The Pandemic 25:25 - Tackling Lower End Consumer Pricing 27:15 - The Difficulties Faced By The Food Service Industry And The Need For Reinvention. 32:10 - Mike Elucidates Traffic Trends In The Restaurant Industry And The Strategies To Drive Positive Traffic 36:42 - The Shift Towards Simplicity In Menus And Their Impact On Execution And Profitability 39:22 - The Impact Of Menu Price Increases On Consumer Traffic 43:45 - Introduction To Signalflare.ai 47:06 - What Does Signalflare.ai Offer? 51:18 - Detailing The Value Of Network And Data Licensing For Restaurants 52:57 - Data's Value In The Supply Chain 54:54 - Mike Dishes On The Future Of Data And Decision Intelligence 57:29 - Data Science Field Growth And Specializations 59:20 - Mike Notes The Maturation Of Data Use In The Restaurant Industry 1:00:42 - Wrapping Up! I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more .

February 12, 2024Episode 655 min

Strategies for Enhancing Foodservice Distribution: Maximizing Chain and Supplier-Manufacturer Relationships with Rich Wolverton, Former VP of Category Management at US Foods

Welcome back to another episode of Farm to Fork: The Innovators. Our guest for today is Rich Wolverton, a current Datum FS advisor who served as former VP of category management at Food Services of America and led their merchandising integration into US foods. Tapping into Rich’s 40+ years wealth of knowledge in food sales and merchandising leadership, we explore the intricacies of food service distribution, discuss the importance of customer service, labor, and supply chain reliability challenges, and strategies for acquiring business from independent and chain restaurants. Our conversation explores the approaches new start-ups and seasoned businesses can take to break into and break even in the already competitive distribution market, uncovers pivotal factors that keep the industry giants thriving, and unearths secrets that could revolutionize sales. Tune in to learn even more about FSMA 204 and how the Food Service Industry will be impacted because of its implementation. This is one episode you do not want to miss. Connect With the Host: David Maloni’s LinkedIn Connect With Our Guest: Rich Wolverton’s LinkedIn Grow Food Service Website Connect with Datum FS: https://datumfs.com/ Timestamps 00:00 03:00 - Meet Rich Wolverton 04:08 - The History And Expansion Of Food Services Of America 06:31 - Rich Elucidates How Distributors Operate Are The Gatekeepers To The Consumers 09:27 - Efficient Customer Service As The Secret Sauce To A Distributor's Success 13:13 - Navigating The Major Challenges In Food Distribution 15:26 - Rich’s Take On How To Win The Independent Restaurant Customer Acquisition Game 18:57 - Salesperson Incentives And Benefits Of A Consultative Approach 21:33 - Data: The New Currency For Businesses 22:48 - The Formula For Attracting And Keeping Chain Business 24:33 - Rich Details The Complex Dance Between Suppliers, Chains, And Distributors 27:40 - Incentivizing Distributors To Sell Effectively. 30:09 - Challenges In Navigating The Dynamic Of Private Label Vs. Branded Products. 36:32 - Rich’s Insight On Tackling Manufacturer-Distributor Tensions 40:03 - The Pros, Cons, And The Significant Impact Of Group Purchasing Organizations 43:28 - The Constraints Of Distribution Capacity And The Potential For Innovation 47:53 - Warehouse Expansion and Operational Strategies Used By Key Industry Players 49:58 - Assessing the impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act 204 On Distributors and Operators 54:20 - Wrapping Up I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more,

May 6, 202447 min

Mani Kulasooriya Co-Founder and CEO of Cut+Dry. Feeding the Future: Innovations in Foodservice Distribution Tech

In this episode of Farm to Fork: The Innovators, we are joined by seasoned tech entrepreneur Mani Kulasooriya, who has spent the last decade dissecting the kinship between the foodservice industry and technology. With a laid groundwork in building Fintech payment systems at Citibank and Yahoo to co-founding CAKE, a restaurant technology startup acquired by Sysco, Mani engages us in a captivating conversation that sheds light on the challenges, successes, and aspirations within the industry. The discussion revolves around the need to balance technology with the fundamental human connections that drive the food service distribution business while also unraveling the staggering inefficiencies in the food service leading to cumulative billion-dollar losses and discloses the restorative power of embracing data as a means to increase security, generating additional revenue through advertising, and making business more efficient to boost margins for all stakeholders. We invite you to tune in to the full episode to gain valuable insights directly from this vetted industry expert and visionary. Once again, welcome to the show. Connect With the Host: David Maloni’s LinkedIn Connect With Our Guest: Mani Kulasooriya’s LinkedIn Cut + Dry Website Connect with Datum FS: https://datumfs.com/ Timestamps 01:53 - Welcome To The Show, Mani! 04:20 - Mani’s Introduction To The Foodservice Industry 07:05 - Consistent Innovation Leads To Long-Term Success: The CAKE Corporation And Sysco Acquisition Story 10:42 - Open Vs Closed Systems 13:08 - An Introduction To Sysco Labs 17:09 - The Food Distribution Business: Observing, Interacting, And Uncovering Digital Limitations. 20:57 - Mani Details How To Avoid Low Efficiency, Equating To Low Margins 28:36 - What is Cut + Dry (fka Codify AI)? 33:58 - Mani Introduces The Seasoned Cut + Dry Team 36:44 - Mani Explains The Role Of Cut + Dry In The Foodservice Industry 43:58 - Why Is Data So Important To The Supply Chain? 48:50 - Sustainability As A Key Outcome In Effective Data Management 51:08 - The Future Of The Foodservice Industry And How Cut + Dry Fits In 54:06 - Wrapping Up! I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more .

April 7, 202531 min

Trump Tariffs with Tom Healey, CPG and Foodservice International Supply Chain Executive and Datum Advisor

Welcome back to Farm to Fork the Innovators! Today we dive deep into a hot-button topic impacting our food supply chain: tariffs. Joining me is Tom Healy, a seasoned international sourcing executive with extensive leadership experience at renowned brands like Dairy Queen, Heinz, and Jack Link’s. Tom brings a wealth of expertise, having managed sourcing strategies across 26 countries during pivotal trade disruptions. In this conversation, Tom sheds light on how major U.S. brands adapted their sourcing strategies during the first wave of Trump tariffs, emphasizing the importance of local sourcing within countries to mitigate geopolitical risks. He clarifies common misconceptions surrounding current tariffs, particularly highlighting exemptions within the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We explore practical best practices for international sourcing during trade wars, and Tom identifies commodities likely to face challenges. It's an enlightening discussion filled with actionable insights to help your business navigate uncertain tariff environments effectively. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ https://datumfs.com/ Connect with Tom Healy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-healey-0101a89/ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | Preview 01:49 | Meet Tom Healy: Extensive Background from Farm to Table 02:57 | Overview of International Sourcing and its Complexities 05:44 | Tariff Challenges: Tom’s Experience at Dairy Queen During Trump’s First Tariffs 07:36 | Shifting Sourcing to Mainland China: Strategy and Results 10:07 | What's Different About the New Round of Trump Tariffs? 13:21 | Key USMCA Exemptions Explained (Produce, Cattle) 15:31 | Spotlight on Beef Imports: Why Lean Beef Trim Matters 20:22 | How Countries Work Around Tariffs: Examples from Asia and Latin America 22:04 | Other At-Risk Commodities: Dairy Imports Highlighted 23:35 | Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs on Major Export Commodities 26:06 | Tom’s Actionable Tips for Businesses Facing Tariff Uncertainty 28:24 | Consumer Impact: Guidance for Restaurants and Foodservice Brands 30:10 | Conclusion & Final Thoughts from Tom Healy 30:45 | Outro and Invitation to Engage with Farm to Fork the Innovators I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors

April 22, 202451 min

Behind the Scenes: Navigating Shake Shack's Supply Chain with Jeffrey Amoscato, Senior Vice President Supply Chain & Menu Innovation at Shake Shack

In this episode of "Farm to Fork: The Innovators," host David Maloni interviews Jeffrey Amoscato, the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation at Shake Shack. Jeff shares his journey from culinary school to his current role, highlighting the importance of understanding the source and quality of ingredients. He discusses the unique blend of culinary expertise and supply chain management that drives Shake Shack's success. He denotes a thriving supply chain rooted in the culinary world, with a focus on the collaborative relationship between it and marketing that allows for the creation of authentic and innovative menu items. The episode concludes with a focus on sustainability in any aspect of the food supply chain. It reinforces listeners to commit to sourcing sustainable ingredients, which extends to building relationships with local suppliers and supporting small farmers. Thank you, once again, for tuning in. Connect With the Host: David Maloni’s LinkedIn Connect With Our Guest: Jeffrey Amoscato LinkedIn Connect with Datum FS: https://datumfs.com/ Timestamps 01:53 - Welcome To The Show, Jeff 05:29 - Humble Beginnings And Culinary School 08:58 - Mentoring as the stepping stone to any career 11:02 - Jeff’s Culinary Degree As A Unique Preparation Point For The Food Supply Chain 15:14 - Jeff Details His Apprenticeship In Italy: San Domenico In Imola 18:20 - Joining Union Square Hospitality Group And Officially Getting Into Supply Chain 24:07 - What Is Shake Shack? 25:12 - Shake Shack: The Brand, The Mission, And The Global Presence 28:34 - Roots In Fine Dining Morphing Into Fast-Casual Management 30:34 - Jeff Delves Into What Makes Shack Shake So Unique 31:29 - Jeff Explains How Long Tenure And Longevity Are Key To Shake Shack’s Company Culture 33:09 - The Inner Workings Of Shake Shack's Supply Chain 36:47 - The Importance Of Storytelling And Authenticity In Shake Shack's Supply Chain 40:48 - Commodity Pressures And Scaling While Maintaining Quality And Staying True To The Brand’s Identity 43:46 - Where Is Shake Shack Going As A Brand? 55:41 - What Sustainability Means To Shake Shack 57:04 - How Shake Shack Provides A Platform For Innovators To Present Ideas. 59:55 - Where Is The Supply Chain Headed? 1:1:40 - Wrapping Up I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more .