The Sustainable Table - Business Leaders Talk Welfare

Hosted by Elissa Lane, Global Food Partners

Business ManagementInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join Elissa Lane, the dynamic CEO of Global Food Partners, on her podcast, "The Sustainable Table - Business Leaders Talk Welfare." In this enlightening series, Elissa engages with top business leaders at the forefront of integrating animal welfare and sustainability into their corporate ethos and operations. Each episode features a new guest sharing their personal and professional journey towards more ethical business practices. These conversations illuminate the practicalities and challenges of adopting sustainable and animal-friendly policies, revealing how these leaders are influencing positive change within their industries. Listeners will be inspired by stories of innovation, from implementing responsible sourcing strategies to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for sustainable sourcing. The podcast highlights the business benefits of such practices and delves into their broader societal and ecological impacts. "The Sustainable Table - Business Leaders Talk Welfare," hosted by Elissa Lane, is a must-listen for anyone interested in how contemporary businesses are navigating the path to a more sustainable and responsible future.

Listen to episodes

14 recent

July 28, 202628 min

Cage-Free in the Philippines: How Corporate Demand Is Driving Producer Transition

In this episode, we speak with Kaye Mercado, President of Kingmerbi Corporation, about the company's journey from conventional cages to cage-free production. As demand from hotels, restaurants, and other food businesses continues to grow in the Philippines, Kingmerbi is investing in higher-welfare egg production to meet the needs of a changing market. Kaye shares the realities of transitioning a commercial egg farm, the business case for cage-free production, lessons learned along the way, and why corporate commitments are creating new opportunities for Philippine producers. We also discuss Kingmerbi's path toward Certified Humane certification and what it will take to accelerate the country's growing cage-free sector.

May 23, 2026Episode 244 min

How SM Hotels is Scaling Sustainability: Chef Leah Magallanes on Practical Change

In this episode, we talk with Chef Leah Magallanes, Vice President for Sustainability, Quality Assurance, and Food & Beverage at SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) in the Philippines. Chef Leah leads the integration of sustainability into business strategy, operations, and guest experience across SMHCC’s nationwide portfolio of hotels and convention centres, including brands such as Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Radisson Hotel Group properties, SMX, and Lanson. With over a decade in senior leadership and a multidisciplinary background spanning culinary arts, finance, brand management, and operations, she is widely recognised for turning sustainability ambition into practical, scalable action. In this conversation, we discuss how sustainability in hospitality is evolving and where the industry still has work to do. Chef Leah shares insights from her leadership at SM Hotels, including initiatives such as Tela Tales and Plate for the Planet, and reflects on how she has helped make sustainability more engaging and actionable at the property level. We also explore SM Hotels’ journey toward cage-free sourcing over the past three years—what it has taken to build internal alignment, overcome implementation challenges, and reduce costs along the way.

April 29, 2026Episode 135 min

From global goals to local action: a conversation with Vicky Yu, Procurement Manager at Ikano Retail

In this episode of The Sustainable Table: Business Leaders Talk Welfare , Elissa Lane speaks with Vicky Yu, Procurement Manager at Ikano Retail , about what it takes to turn sustainability commitments into real-world action . With experience spanning global strategy at Inter IKEA Systems and local procurement across Asia, Vicky offers a unique perspective on how responsible sourcing goals are implemented on the ground . The conversation explores the realities behind sourcing higher-welfare products like cage-free eggs , from navigating supply constraints to managing cost pressures . Vicky shares how procurement teams play a critical role in driving progress , and why strong supplier relationships and collaboration are essential to achieving meaningful change. As companies work toward their sustainability commitments, this episode provides practical insights and lessons for bridging the gap between ambition and execution , especially in complex and evolving markets .

February 19, 2025Episode 1134 min

Driving cage-free progress in Vietnam with Anil Viswanathan

How do you get teams excited about sustainability? What does it take to build trust with suppliers and drive real change? In this episode, Anil Viswanathan , Vice President and Managing Director of Mondelez Vietnam , joins Elissa Lane to share how Mondelez is making progress on its cage-free egg commitment in Vietnam. Anil brings his decades of experience and expertise in marketing, sustainability, and leadership to the conversation, offering insights on: ✅ Engaging teams and fostering a culture of sustainability ✅ Building strong partnerships with egg suppliers ✅ Strengthening consumer trust through responsible sourcing Tune in for a practical discussion on driving corporate sustainability and supporting local farmers in the transition to cage-free eggs.

December 18, 2024Episode 1036 min

Garrya Bianti on empowering communities through cage-free farming

Join Winda Sukma, a leading voice from Garrya Bianti Yogyakarta, part of the esteemed Banyan Tree Group, as she delves into the transformative cage-free projects spearheaded by the hotel. In this engaging session, Winda will share the inspiring journey of how Garrya Bianti Yogyakarta is working hand-in-hand with Global Food Partners and Universitas Gadjah Mada to champion local women’s cooperatives, enhance animal welfare, and promote sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. Learn how these initiatives are empowering women in the community, creating lasting economic opportunities, and setting new standards for ethical and responsible sourcing. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the intersection of sustainability, social impact, and innovative solutions for a better future.

September 16, 2024Episode 934 min

Sourcing cage-free processed eggs in India: Insights from India's leading cage-free producer

Following our recent webinar on Solutions for Cage-free Processed Eggs in India, we received numerous follow-up questions and requests for more details. While many of the companies we work with have successfully sourced cage-free shell eggs in India, finding reliable solutions for cage-free processed eggs remains a challenge. To address this, we invited Manjunath Marappan, CEO and Co-founder of Happy Hens—one of India’s leading cage-free producers and among the first to achieve certification in the country. In this insightful discussion, Manjunath shares a producer’s perspective on what it takes for companies to transition to cage-free processed eggs. He walks us through key factors such as volume requirements, buyer commitments, and delivery logistics. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand how food and hospitality businesses can make the switch to cage-free processed eggs.

July 30, 2024Episode 837 min

From palm oil to cage-free: how credits can kickstart and transform responsible supply chains

In this episode of The Sustainable Table: Business Leaders Talk Welfare, host Elissa Lane sits down with Pak Win, the Deputy Director of Market Transformation for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in Indonesia. Pak Win shares his insights and experiences with RSPO's credits program, which has transformed the sustainable palm oil market. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on how: RSPO credits have enabled companies to meet their sustainability goals and support and incentivise local sustainable farmers Global Food Partners' cage-free credits (Impact Incentives) can do the same for companies looking to meet their cage-free egg commitments in Asia Tune in to gain deep insights into the transformative power of credits programs and learn how they drive sustainability and responsible sourcing in the palm oil and cage-free egg industries. Don't miss Pak Win's valuable lessons and practical advice for businesses committed to responsible sourcing and welfare initiatives.

June 27, 2024Episode 742 min

Navigating China's cage-free egg market: insights from experts

Tune into our latest China-focused episode featuring two of the country's leading cage-free experts! Join us as we sit down with Michael Han, Vice President of Ovodan China, one of the nation's top egg processing companies, and Lisa Yang, Director of Global Food Partners in China. We address the most frequently asked questions from food and hospitality businesses about: The cage-free landscape in China: types of systems, welfare certifications, and national regulations. Ovodan's capacity to supply and expand its range of cage-free processed eggs. How food businesses can transition to a cage-free processed egg supply chain. What to expect in terms of cost. Don't miss this insightful discussion on cage-free eggs in China!

May 27, 2024Episode 618 min

Pioneering cage-free solutions in Asia with Dawn Neo

In this episode, we sit down with Dawn Neo, the Director of Corporate Engagement at Global Food Partners, to delve into the transformative steps companies are taking towards cage-free implementation in Asia. As a trailblazer in this field, Dawn shares her invaluable experience and insights, offering a unique perspective on the evolution and future of the cage-free movement in the region. Join us for an enlightening conversation that uncovers the challenges, successes, and innovative strategies driving this critical change.

April 16, 2024Episode 531 min

The Coffee Club Thailand on effective marketing strategies for cage-free eggs: A conversation with Jub Nongchanok Stananonth

We had the pleasure of hosting Jub Nongchanok Stananonth, the General Manager of The Coffee Club Thailand, under Minor Food Group. With restaurants across Thailand, Jub shares how The Coffee Club has been able to transition to cage-free sourcing, and proactively communicate the initiative to guests. She shares effective marketing and communication strategies, tips for food businesses who want to go cage free, and the overwhelming positive feedback from guests. Tune in to learn more about their cage-free journey and how offering cage-free eggs has increased customer satisfaction!