For this week’s episode we welcome the intrepid Caitlin Tierney, senior director of produce for local and innovation at Sprouts Farmers Markets. Caitlin – whose previous stops have include 99 Cents Only Stores, Mastronardi Produce, SpartanNash and Bayer, among others – provided tons of great detail on the new Rescued Organics program from Sprouts, including the role it plays in the overall produce assortment (0:25), finding the right SKUs and grower partners (6:36), pricing and pack size strategy (1:38), marketing and merchandising (5:12 and 12:32), internal awareness campaign (14:01) and more. Caitlin also provided great perspective on her focus areas of local and innovation, including discussing a new sampling campaign at Sprouts (22:56) – see a shopper looking at an item for 3 seconds or more, offer a sample, and then offer it to anyone else around, too! – and how the company’s culture makes that kind of service possible (26:56). This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Enjoy!

For more episodes featuring executive perspective, check out this curated playlist dedicated to conversations with current and former vice presidents of produce, directors of produce, and other executive roles. 

More Playlists

• Merchandising & Marketing 

• Leadership & Training

• Produce Manager Perspective

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.