The Food Institute Podcast

Hosted by The Food Institute

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177

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Oct 2026

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The Food Institute Podcast leverages the Food Institute's 90-plus-year history to provide actionable information and insight to food industry professionals. ]]>

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October 13, 20261 hr 8 min

Beyond the Data: What Really Drives Foodservice Sales?

This Episode is Sponsored By: Tibersoft Foodservice manufacturers have access to more data than ever, but understanding what actually influences an operator’s purchasing decision still remains a challenge. Tibersoft ’s Suzanne Cwik and Kinetic12 ’s Art Bell join The Food Institute Podcast to explore how connecting commercial activity to operator behavior can help manufacturers measure what works, improve trade investments, and make smarter sales and marketing decisions. More about Suzanne Cwik: Suzanne Cwik is Vice President of Commercial and Client Services at Tibersoft. With deep experience across foodservice finance, trade, and sales, Suzanne understands both the fragmented data manufacturers work with and how a single source of operator-level truth resolves it. She helps manufacturers to govern trade spend, sharpen sales strategy, and ultimately grow. Across two decades in the industry, Suzanne has become a trusted voice on foodservice data and trade strategy. More about Art Bell: Art brings more than 25 years of experience in consulting, client service, and manufacturer marketing & sales and is one of the leaders of establishing best practices in collaborative planning within the foodservice industry. Art consults with both B2B and B2C clients in areas such as growth opportunity identification, customer & channel analytics, competitive analysis & assessment, route-to-market strategy, category management, and pricing & trade spend strategy. Art along with the other founding partners of Kinetic12 received the 2017 Presidents Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA). Prior to co-founding Kinetic12, Art was a partner at The Partnering Group. Earlier in his career, Art held various marketing and pricing/trade strategy roles at Sara Lee and was a consultant at Deloitte Consulting. Art has an MBA from the University of Michigan and received a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia. More about Tibersoft: Tibersoft is the data authority for food-away-from-home. Since 1996, Tibersoft has helped manufacturers work from one verified source of operator-level truth, resolving the fragmented data that moves between manufacturers, distributors, and operators. Tibersoft powers trade governance and location-level intelligence, giving world-leading foodservice manufacturers the foundation to protect every trade dollar and make confident decisions for growth. To learn more, visit tibersoft.com .

October 7, 202630 min

Is Grocery Loyalty About More Than Discounts?

This Episode is Sponsored by: Lobyco What does loyalty look like for grocery retailers in an era of AI, hyper-personalization, and increasingly distracted consumers? Loyalty expert David Ciancio joined The Food Institute Podcast live from Groceryshop 2026 to discuss how retailers can move beyond discounts and points to build programs that earn customer loyalty, improve the shopping experience, and serve as a true engine for growth. More about David Ciancio: David brings 55+ years of retail experience as an operator, marketer, and strategist to the conversation. He created Kroger’s first-to-market and industry-leading KrogerPlus loyalty program after working in every role in a supermarket, proudly including 20 years in store management. For his visionary and pioneering work in applied data science to grocery merchandising and marketing, Ciancio was named ‘Personality of the Year by the International Loyalty Awards’ and was cited as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Data according to data IQ in 2022. Earlier, he was recognized as a ‘Top 10 Mover and Shaker in Retail 2020’ by Retail Info Systems, and a “Top 50 Marketer” by Advertising Age magazine. Currently, David helps organizations grow their sales and loyalty by creating better Customer experiences through data, and by applying Customer-led organizational change. More about Lobyco: Born from retail, we're on a mission to bring retailers and customers closer together. Learn about our values, our journey, and the people leading the way. Retail is our DNA. We've lived the journey, and we bring the insights and experience to help you succeed. Our platform - built with retailers, for retailers - empowers you to engage customers wherever they are, in-store or at home. It's flexible, scalable, and designed to adapt as consumer behaviours evolve. With Lobyco, you can unlock new revenue streams, commercialise media channels, and create more value for shoppers through stronger partnerships and smarter engagement. Learn more at: https://www.lobyco.com/

September 15, 202629 min

What Comes After the Meal Kit? How HelloFresh Is Evolving

This Episode is Sponsored By: HelloFresh HelloFresh is looking beyond the traditional meal-kit model as it evolves how consumers answer the everyday question, “What’s for dinner?” Assaf Ronen explores how the company is expanding into a broader cooking and meal-planning hub, using AI and personalization to tailor recipes, menus, and experiences to individual households. More about Assaf Ronen: Assaf Ronen is Global President of HelloFresh Group and CEO of HelloFresh North America, leading operations in the US and Canada, as well as global product strategy. With a career spanning technology, e-commerce, and fintech, he has held senior leadership roles at Payoneer, SoFi, Amazon, and Microsoft, driving innovation and scaling products that reach millions worldwide. More about HelloFresh: HelloFresh is the world’s leading meal-kit company, providing customers with fresh, high-quality ingredients to cook delicious meals at home. By delivering pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes directly to customers' doors, HelloFresh helps busy individuals and families enjoy home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. Learn more at: www.hellofreshgroup.com

August 25, 202625 min

You're Paying More Than You Negotiated

This Episode is Sponsored by: iTradeNetwork In the foodservice industry, pricing variance does not announce itself. It accumulates line by line, across distributors, across weeks - and by the time a reconciliation team finds it, the recovery window has often closed. iTradeNetwork’s Jeff Ramsaur shows how pricing overcharges happen in multi-distributor foodservice environments and what it costs when detection happens after the invoice settles. More about Jeff Ramsaur: Jeff Ramsaur has over 20 years of experience selling and implementing supply chain solutions and consulting to the foodservice and consumer products industries. As Director of Strategic Programs and Partnerships at iTradeNetwork, Jeff leads strategic initiatives that help leading foodservice brands reduce operating costs, improve inventory utilization, and increase profitability across their supply chains. He focuses on solutions that enable brands to deliver their "brand promise" through increased quality and food safety, greater operational efficiency and profitability, and improved customer service. Jeff has an MBA and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. More about iTradeNetwork: iTradeNetwork's Cerena Solution Suite provides the food and beverage industry with built-in AI intelligence across the market's most connected trading network. By unifying procurement, traceability, and financial data into smarter workflows, we empower businesses to enhance end-to-end visibility, strengthen compliance, and accelerate growth from farm to fork. Learn more at https://www.itradenetwork.com/.

July 28, 202629 min

How Animal Fats like Lard and Tallow are Finding New Value

This Episode is Sponsored by: City National Bank Trends tend to come full circle, and that could not be more true for Coast Packing, which has recently seen renewed demand for its lard and tallow products amid rising consumer interest in natural ingredients. City National Bank’s Justin D’Affronte steps in as guest host to talk with Coast Packing CEO Eric Gustafson about his company’s family legacy and the business climate in California. More about Coast Packing: With a legacy some 100+ years in the making, Coast Packing Company’s ties with its customers, partners and suppliers are both broad and deep. Coast Packing was founded as a Southern California livestock and meat‐packing business in 1922 and expanded over the years into a regional food‐industry powerhouse. Learn more: www.coastpacking.com More about Eric Gustafson: Eric R. Gustafson is Chairman and CEO of Coast Packing Company (Coast), the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings, mainly Lard and Beef Tallow, in the Western United States. He is the fourth generation to own and operate Coast, has served on its Board of Directors since 2009, and was named CEO in 2010. Gustafson is responsible for guiding the company’s strategic vision and initiatives, and leads business development, client relationships, and procurement. Over the last 15 years, he has directed all key areas of the business and built the current leadership team to execute Coast’s business strategies. He has proudly guided Coast into its 104th year in business. Prior to being named CEO, Gustafson was Vice President of Operations and held various Sales and Marketing positions. More about City National Bank: City National Bank is dedicated to helping clients thrive and communities prosper. Founded in 1954, City National is the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles with $98 billion in assets as of April 30, 2026. A subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), City National delivers personalized service and specialized expertise in wealth management and private banking, entertainment and sports banking, commercial banking, and consumer banking, with branches and banking offices in major markets across the Western, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. City National and its investment affiliates manage or administer $112 billion in client investment assets. In 2025 alone, the company made charitable contributions of nearly $11 million to nonprofits that support the communities it serves. City National Bank. Member FDIC. City National Bank does business in the state of Florida as CN Bank. For more information, visit cnb.com.

July 14, 202636 min

The Dark Side of GLP-1s

2026 may be the year of the GLP-1, but what are the risks to consumers who take this class of drugs? Suzy Badaracco, president of Culinary Tides Inc., explains the health risks associated with GLP-1 usage, and how the food industry can best serve this category of consumers. More about Suzy Badaracco and Culinary Tides: Suzy Badaracco, President of Culinary Tides, Inc., is a foresight expert with over 21 years of experience in trends intelligence and predictive forecasting. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminalistics, an Associate degree in Culinary Arts, and a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition. Suzy's expertise is further enhanced by her training in military intelligence, Chaos theory, and predictive analysis techniques. Under her leadership, Culinary Tides, Inc. has become a premier consultancy in the food industry, renowned for its ability to accurately predict and profile trends across various domains, including food, beverage, consumer behavior, health, government, and technology. The firm specializes in identifying the birth, origin, trajectory, and longevity of trends, enabling food industry partners to strategically navigate the market. By revealing relevant patterns, Culinary Tides, Inc. empowers clients to develop products that resonate with customers, creating effective entrance, navigation, and exit strategies. Suzy Badaracco's insights and innovative methodologies have established her as a leading figure in foresight and trend forecasting. Get Connected: Email: sbadaracco@culinarytides.com Website: www.culinarytides.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-badaracco-7443144/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLQOIVuKBxIEshiLj5xkXg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbadaracco/

June 17, 202628 min

How Three Brothers Manage a Duck Farm and their Family

What is America's appetite for duck - and is it growing? The Jurgielewicz brothers - Dr. Jim, Joey, and Michael - joined The Food Institute Podcast to talk about how Joe Jurgielewicz & Son is continuing the company's long history while innovating for the future, all while maintaining a balance between family and business. More about Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd.: Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd. (JJS), America's Tastiest Duck, is a family-owned and operated, 4th generation business with a rich history dating back to 1933. Starting on Long Island, NY, and now based in Hamburg, PA, the Jurgielewicz family has been dedicated to raising the highest quality Pekin ducks for generations. Their vertically integrated approach, overseen by veterinarians Dr. Joe (founder/CEO) and Dr. Jim (President), ensures top quality and animal welfare from hatching to distribution. This commitment results in ducks with the perfect meat-to-fat ratio, making them the preferred choice of renowned chefs and establishments worldwide. The Jurgielewicz family is proud to continue its 93-year tradition of providing the highest-quality Pekin duck products and world-class service to clients globally for generations to come. https://tastyduck.com/ More about Culver Duck Farms Inc.: Culver Duck Farms, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest producers of White Pekin Duck and the first duck meat farm in North America to earn the American Humane CertifiedÔ status. The business is the winner of 7 National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) trophies since 1959 and was started in Long Island, New York in 1858. Culver Duck moved to Middlebury, Indiana, in 1959 and began processing ducks in 1978. https://culverduck.com/ More about Dr. Jim Jurgielewicz: Dr. Jim Jurgielewicz is President of Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, a family-owned, vertically integrated duck farming operation with roots dating back four generations. As one of the few veterinarians specializing in duck production, he combines veterinary expertise with a lifelong commitment to animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and producing high-quality Pekin ducks. Working alongside his two brothers, Dr. Jim helps lead the family business while continuing a legacy that has made the Jurgielewicz name synonymous with excellence in duck farming. More about Michael Jurgielewicz: Michael Jurgielewicz serves as co-head of business development and marketing at Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd. and Culver Duck Farms, where he works closely with his brother, Joey, to lead the department and drive the strategic direction of both companies. He holds a degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, graduating in 2013. Following graduation, Michael joined Sweet Street Desserts as Business Development Manager for their international division, managing growth across Canada, Mexico, and Asia. In 2019, he transitioned to the family businesses, where he works alongside his brothers, Dr. Jim and Joey, to expand their market presence and build on the companies' longstanding legacy. More about Joey Jurgielewicz: Joey Jurgielewicz leads the business development and marketing departments at Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd. and Culver Duck Farms alongside his brother Michael. He holds a BS in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph's University (2009) and a Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) from Cornell University (2016). With an educational background spanning food marketing and hospitality management, Joey brings a well-rounded perspective to growing his family duck farms. A key part of his role involves cultivating relationships with some of the culinary world's most acclaimed talents, working closely with Michelin-starred chefs — including Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Marc Forgione — to feature the family’s duck on their menus. Together with his brothers, Dr. Jim and Michael, he is committed to strengthening the companies' market position and honoring their longstanding family legacy.

May 19, 202654 min

The Supreme Court Struck Down Tariffs — What’s Next for Food Business?

It seems one set of tariffs is declared unconstitutional and then another set get installed in the current day, but what's really happening with tariffs? Sara Albrecht, Chairman of the Liberty Justice Center and founder of Swan Capital, talks about their recent Supreme Court win, how refunds might play out, and what to keep an eye on in the year to come. More about Sara Albrecht: Sara Albrecht serves as Chairman of the Liberty Justice Center, helping guide one of the nation’s leading constitutional litigation firms in its mission to defend individual liberty and restore the proper limits of government power. With a deep commitment to educational freedom, free speech, workers’ rights, and checking government overreach, Sara provides strategic leadership, philanthropic vision, and hands-on support for the Center’s high-impact litigation nationwide. An accomplished investor and entrepreneur, Sara founded Swan Capital following a career in investment management that included leadership roles at Harris Associates and as a founding partner of the equity team at PPM America. She has also taught International Finance and previously owned and operated the retail chain Ultimo. Sara is an active civic and cultural leader, serving on several nonprofit boards, including the Illinois Policy Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Unify America, and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. In addition to her CFA certification, she holds degrees from DePaul University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. More about Liberty Justice Center: Liberty Justice Center is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public-interest litigation firm dedicated to protecting constitutional rights and restoring limits on government power. Founded in 2011, the Center litigates cutting-edge, precedent-setting cases across the country in the areas of free speech, educational freedom, workers’ rights, and government overreach. The firm became widely known for representing Mark Janus in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, which restored First Amendment rights to more than five million public employees. The firm is also well known for winning V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump which ruled the IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional The Liberty Justice Center has litigated more than 145 cases in 36 states and Puerto Rico, with attorneys based in eight states. The Center represents every client at no cost, grounded in the belief that no American should have to choose between their constitutional rights and the ability to afford a lawyer—especially when facing the vast resources of government. Beyond the courtroom, the Liberty Justice Center works to expose overreach, hold officials accountable, engage communities, and strengthen the court of public opinion. Its vision is a nation where government respects the limits of its power and every American can speak, work, learn, and live freely. Learn more: https://libertyjusticecenter.org/ Learn more about Project TERRA: https://libertyjusticecenter.org/tariffs/terra/

April 7, 202627 min

Leadership in the Capability Era

This Episode is Sponsored by: City National Bank What exactly is the Capability Era, and how is leadership changing within it? John Linehan, president of Irresistible Foods Group, explains how organizational charts are being supplanted and how a new vision of leadership is growing within the food and beverage industry in this episode guest hosted by City National Bank’s Shahe Kassardjian. More about John Linehan: John Linehan has over thirty years of experience in consumer goods and related industries. He has consistently developed and executed corporate and brand strategic plans that have accelerated successful and sustainable growth in revenue, profit and brand valuations. John currently serves as President of Irresistible Foods Group. More about Shahe Kassardjian: Shahe Kassardjian is a Managing Director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. Based out of Irvine, California, he works with City National’s team of experts to provide cash flow, asset-based lending, real estate and equipment financing expertise to businesses in the food and beverage industry. Mr. Kassardjian has more than twenty years of financial services experience and has covered the food and beverage industry for over fifteen years. Prior to joining City National, he served as a senior vice president with GE Capital’s food and beverage group. Mr. Kassardjian earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from California State University, Fullerton. Active in the community, he volunteers with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. He lives in Santa Ana, California, with his wife, Amy, and their two boys. More about City National Bank: City National Bank, member FDIC, is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles with $99 billion in assets as of January 31, 2026. Founded in 1954, City National is a regional bank specializing in Wealth Management and Private Banking, Entertainment & Sports Banking, Commercial Banking, and Consumer Banking, with branches and locations in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Las Vegas, Nashville, Atlanta, North Carolina and South Carolina, Delaware, Washington D.C. and Miami.* In addition, the company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $109 billion in client investment assets. City National is dedicated to strengthening local communities. In 2025 alone, the company made charitable contributions of more than $10 million to nonprofits that support the communities it serves. For more information about City National, visit the company’s website at cnb.com. *City National Bank does business in the state of Florida as CN Bank.

March 31, 202624 min

Why Food Leaders Are Rethinking Their Workforce Strategy Now

Food industry labor strategies, leadership, supply chain resilience, talent retention, and operational excellence take center stage in this episode of Food for Thought Leadership. Chris Campbell sits down with Sharon Aho, Senior Managing Director at Korn Ferry, to discuss how food and beverage companies can navigate labor challenges, transformation initiatives, supply chain disruption, M&A activity, and the growing pressure to balance cost efficiency with talent excellence.