In this week's episode, we're delighted to welcome as our guests John Truncale, produce manager of Brattleboro Food Coop, and Brian Dey, senior merchandiser and natural stores coordinator of Four Seasons Produce. John was recognized in 2021 by the International Fresh Produce Association (then United Fresh) as a Retail Produce Manager of the Year Award winner, and Brian is one of the foremost experts in promotional planning, merchandising, events and more.

In this conversation, John and Brian talk about gearing up for summer, working with local growers, going big on displays, seeing employees grow in their work and take pride in their displays, and much more. They also share their observations of how inflation is affecting organic sales and how they’re responding as shoppers trade down. These two gentlemen have worked together the better part of a decade now, and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle got to visit Brattleboro last year on a trip dedicated to putting in some work as Brian's unofficial merchandising assistant, so this episode — in addition to covering lots of timely topics — has a bit of a family reunion feel to it. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

For more episodes featuring produce manager perspective, check out this curated playlist for plenty of thought-provoking discussion. 

More Playlists


Executive Perspective


Leadership & Training


Marketing & Merchandising

Podcast Background

This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more.

Get Involved

The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout on LinkedIn.

In this week's episode, we're delighted to welcome as our guests John Truncale, produce manager of Brattleboro Food Coop, and Brian Dey, senior merchandiser and natural stores coordinator of Four Seasons Produce. John was recognized in 2021 by the International Fresh Produce Association (then United Fresh) as a Retail Produce Manager of the Year Award winner, and Brian is one of the foremost experts in promotional planning, merchandising, events and more.
In this conversation, John and Brian talk about gearing up for summer, working with local growers, going big on displays, seeing employees grow in their work and take pride in their displays, and much more. They also share their observations of how inflation is affecting organic sales and how they’re responding as shoppers trade down. These two gentlemen have worked together the better part of a decade now, and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle got to visit Brattleboro last year on a trip dedicated to putting in some work as Brian's unofficial merchandising assistant, so this episode — in addition to covering lots of timely topics — has a bit of a family reunion feel to it. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
For more episodes featuring produce manager perspective, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/produce-manager-perspective-the-produce-retail-pod">check out this curated playlist</a> for plenty of thought-provoking discussion. 
More Playlists
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/executive-perspective-the-produce-retail-podcast">Executive Perspective</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/leadership-training-the-produce-retail-podcast">Leadership &amp; Training</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/merchandising-marketing-the-produce-retail-podcast">Marketing &amp; Merchandising</a>
</li>
</ul>
Podcast Background
This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more.
Get Involved
The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynickle">Ashley Nickle</a>, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynickle">on LinkedIn.</a>

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 for growth. This podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, produce industry enthusiast and founder and CEO of Ashley Nickle Growth Strategies.  

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 for growth. This podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, produce industry enthusiast and founder and CEO of Ashley Nickle Growth Strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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