The Packer Podcast

Hosted by PMG

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 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

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.

June 25, 202625 min

The Packer Podcast: Why EPRs Could Be One More Nail in the Coffin for Produce Growers

Rochelle Bohm of CMI Orchards discusses the threat that extended producer responsibility laws pose to the fresh produce industry and why the high cost of sustainable packaging will be passed on to consumers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 12, 202629 min

The Packer Podcast: What Does the Future Hold for Controlled Atmosphere Agriculture as it Enters its Next Phase

Recently celebrating its 15th anniversary, Gotham Greens co-founder Viraj Puri and new CEO Craig Stevenson discuss moving past proof-of-concept, navigating the recent shakeout CEA, and why the future of the category relies on operational excellence over tech hype. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 29, 202631 min

The Packer Podcast: Frank Yiannas on How AI Can Transform the Future of Food Safety

Yiannas joins "The Packer Podcast" to discuss the potential for machine learning to turn food safety from reactive to predictive and its tangible benefits for the fresh produce industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 29, 202633 min

The Packer Podcast: Fibermaxxing and Why Pears Are the Perfect Superfood for Modern Nutrition Trends

Barbara Ruhs, director of nutrition affairs and communications for Pears USA, explains how the produce industry can use her "science sandwich" method to leverage viral TikTok movements and reach younger consumers to share the benefits of a diet rich in fresh produce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.