The Produce Retail Podcast
The Produce Retail Podcast
The Produce Retail Podcast is the place for thought leaders in the industry to talk shop. Join us for conversations on strategy, business partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and much more. We'll have regular guests as well as more occasional visitors, and the goal is always to deliver conversations that inform, inspire and ultimately illuminate opportunities …
The Fresh Market produce manager Dan Weis and store manager Michael Gillespie
We're delighted to have as our guests this week produce manager Dan Weis and store manager Michael Gillespie of The Fresh Market. In the grocery industry broadly, many companies try to be everything to every shopper, but The Fresh Market has a unique approach, focusing on premium meal solutions, sp…
48:08
Industry veteran Blaine Heilman on transition from individual contributor to team leader
We're delighted to welcome for this week's episode Blaine Heilman, a produce industry veteran who’s entering a new career chapter as a consultant and sales director of Transcend Leadership Collective. Blaine’s previous roles have included president of sales at Sage Fruit, senior sourcing manager at…
59:32
United Supermarkets business director of floral Bradley Gaines and Tessacorp's Jennie Garbarek
In this third installment of our 2025 floral series, we're delighted to have as our guests Bradley Gaines, business director of floral for United Supermarkets, Market Street and Albertsons Market, and Jennie Garbarek, sales director of mass market, North America, for floral supplier Tessacorp. Our …
50:42
Online produce shopping and AI in grocery retail with Brian Numainville of The Feedback Group
We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this episode Brian Numainville, a longtime grocery retail veteran, consumer research expert, and the principal of The Feedback Group. Before founding that organization, he worked for nearly two decades at the Nash Finch Company, which merged with Spartan …
57:28
Greenhouse commodities deep dive with Matt Quiring of Nature Fresh Farms
We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this week's episode Matt Quiring, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nature Fresh Farms, for a deep dive on greenhouse commodities: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries. Matt discusses current trends and opportunities on the horizon…
49:40
Schnucks floral director Michael Schrader and floral retail veteran Jennie Garbarek
We're delighted to welcome back for the second installment of our floral series Jennie Garbarek, sales director of mass market, North America, for floral supplier Tessacorp, along with Michael Schrader, floral director of Schnuck Markets. Michael is a lifelong floral professional and highly respect…
59:20
Ed Keefe, executive director of produce, floral and bakery merchandising and operations for Eickhoff ShopRite Supermarkets
We're delighted to have as our guest this week Ed Keefe, executive director of produce, floral and bakery merchandising and operations for Eickhoff ShopRite Supermarkets. Ed visited with The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle about the origins of his "Drop the Leash" philosophy; how he stays…
1:11:43
Dave Dunkak on negotiation
Back by popular demand, we have a special guest on this week's episode — Dave Dunkak, a longtime executive in mobile computing and AIDC, frequently recognized throughout his career for setting sales records, leading successful teams and developing people ... and he's also the father of The Produce …
1:18:48
Avocado and mango category deep dive with Jennifer Anazawa of Mission Produce
We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this week's episode Jennifer Anazawa, director of trade and category development for Mission Produce. Jennifer joins us to discuss what's happening in the avocado and mango categories. She talks about the growth of bagged avocados; consumer insights that …
40:40
Floral retail veteran Jennie Garbarek on all things Valentine's Day
Listeners looking to leverage floral as a growth area in 2025 are in for a treat: retail veteran Jennie Garbarek will join The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle on the show each month this year to discuss all facets of floral at retail. Jennie’s previous roles have included floral buyer at …
1:12:00