The Packer Podcast

Hosted by PMG

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

What’s the fresh produce industry talking about now? Tune into The Packer Podcast to find out. Discussions dive into the challenges, opportunities and what’s next for stakeholders across the fresh produce supply chain.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 5, 202631 min

The Packer Podcast: 40 Years of H-2A – Why Ag Labor Policy Needs an Overhaul

40 years after the H-2A program was established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, agricultural leaders reflect on why this critical labor lifeline needs urgent reform. In this episode, host Christina Herrick sits down with Lynn Jacquez (principal at CJ Lake and former judiciary committee counsel during the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 drafting), John Hollay (president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers), and Samantha Ayoub (director of workforce and business policy for the International Fresh Produce Association). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 22, 202636 min

The Packer Podcast: Food Safety Reset: Frank Yiannas on Cyclospora, Salmonella, Ag Water & Rebuilding Consumer Trust

On this episode of The Packer Podcast , former FDA Deputy Commissioner and food safety expert Frank Yiannas joins the show to break down why recent produce outbreaks—including major Cyclospora and Salmonella habiana events—have severely damaged consumer confidence and why traditional investigation methods are no longer enough. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 8, 202628 min

The Packer Podcast: How Economics and Policy Impact Fresh Produce – IFPA’s Samantha Ayoub on Ag Labor Challenges

In this episode of The Packer Podcast, host Christina Herrick sits down with Samantha Ayoub, Director of Workforce and Business Policy at the International Fresh Produce Association. As an economist navigating Capitol Hill, Samantha breaks down the complex economic, regulatory, and market dynamics impacting fruit, vegetable, and floral producers today. She explains how using data to back up personal grower stories gives the industry a much stronger voice in D.C. policy discussions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 24, 202628 min

The Packer Podcast: Moving Forward After the Cyclospora Outbreak to Protect Food Safety and Rebuild

Following the FDA declaring the recent Cyclospora outbreak over, the fresh produce industry faces a critical turning point. How can growers, shippers, and industry leaders move forward, prepare for future risks, and protect consumer confidence? In this episode, De Ann Davis shares essential insights on how the fresh produce sector can learn from the recent Cyclospora outbreak to build a more resilient, transparent supply chain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 202622 min

The Packer Podcast: Building the Future of Avocado Growth with the First-Ever Avocado Conference

In this episode, Emiliano Escobedo, Executive Director of the Hass Avocado Board, joins host Christina Herrick to discuss the launch of a dedicated avocado conference happening November 18–20 in San Diego. With the U.S. avocado market surpassing 3 billion pounds, Escobedo explains why the category has reached a critical inflection point requiring specialized focus beyond general produce shows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 27, 202624 min

The Packer Podcast: Why Americans Are Losing Faith in Food Safety (And How to Fix It)

Is consumer confidence in the U.S. food supply actually recovering, or are recent outbreaks making things worse? In this episode, Kris Sollid, Senior Director of Research and Consumer Insights at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), breaks down surprising new data from the flagship Food and Health Survey. From tracking historical dips in consumer trust to analyzing real-time shopper reactions during recent produce outbreaks like cyclospora, Kris reveals what consumers actually want from food brands, government regulators and retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 13, 202634 min

The Packer Podcast: Why Canada’s Food Security Depends on a Thriving USMCA Greenhouse Export Market

With 300 truckloads of vegetables crossing the border daily, Richard Lee, executive director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, outlines why protecting stable access to U.S. consumers directly supports affordable, year-round produce for Canadians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 30, 202633 min

The Packer Podcast: How Fresh Produce Brands Can Prepare for the Agentic Commerce Era

Circana’s Jonna Parker outlines why the fresh produce industry must focus on digital storytelling and rich product data to ensure agentic AI engines seamlessly discover and recommend their items to shoppers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 16, 202627 min

The Packer Podcast: How a Viral Video Thrust TRIC Robotics and Nighttime Pest Control Into the Millions of Views Spotlight

Following an unexpected surge on social media, founder Adam Stager explains how massive public interest drives global demand for agricultural automation and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical sprays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 1, 202629 min

The Packer Podcast: Why the Fresh Produce Industry Must Fight to Save USMCA Right Now

Dante Galeazzi joins "The Packer Podcast" to share why ignoring the trade pact will trigger a damaging domino effect of soaring inflation and small harvests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.