It's not every day you get to hear from someone who's been in the business for half a century, but today is one of those days! Strack & Van Til produce manager Mitch Harris was recognized this year as one of IFPA's 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award winners, and he was honored along with the rest of his class on Friday at a special reception at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif. The conversation you’ll hear today with Mitch and produce director Andy Muller was actually recorded this summer, and we're confident you'll enjoy it. One of The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley's Nickle's favorite quotes from Mitch in this episode was the following: “My customers are my friends, and I treat them that way.” Thanks for listening!

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.

It's not every day you get to hear from someone who's been in the business for half a century, but today is one of those days! Strack &amp; Van Til produce manager Mitch Harris was recognized this year as one of IFPA's 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award winners, and he was honored along with the rest of his class on Friday at a special reception at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif. The conversation you’ll hear today with Mitch and produce director Andy Muller was actually recorded this summer, and we're confident you'll enjoy it. One of The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley's Nickle's favorite quotes from Mitch in this episode was the following: “My customers are my friends, and I treat them that way.” Thanks for listening!
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;

The Produce Retail Podcast

This curated playlist of The Produce Retail Podcast features conversations with produce managers — the hard-working professionals with wide-ranging roles whose ultimate responsibility is to turn the vision of corporate leadership into reality at the store level. How do they do it? That's what listeners will learn in these episodes. Hosted by Ashley Nickle, who became immersed in the industry as a member of the trade press and later launched her own consulting firm, The Produce Retail Podcast overall covers a wide variety of produce retail topics: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising, marketing, assortment and beyond. 

This curated playlist of The Produce Retail Podcast features conversations with produce managers — the hard-working professionals with wide-ranging roles whose ultimate responsibility is to turn the vision of corporate leadership into reality at the store level. How do they do it? That's what listeners will learn in these episodes. Hosted by <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynickle">Ashley Nickle</a>, who became immersed in the industry as a member of the trade press and later launched her own consulting firm, The Produce Retail Podcast overall covers a wide variety of produce retail topics: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising, marketing, assortment and beyond.

A playlist focused on conversations with retail produce managers.

Produce Manager Perspective — The Produce Retail Podcast

Strack & Van Til's Mitch Harris and Andy Muller

We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this week's episode Leigh Vaughn, director of produce and floral for Associated Food Stores. Leigh has been with AFS for 16 years now and was with Lee’s Marketplace for 13 years before that. In this week's conversation, he and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss how Leigh got started on the retail side of the business, including how he would assess employees' potential for the produce department; how he made the transition to wholesale and works with produce supervisors and managers for the stores AFS serves; the resources that AFS provides those stores, including a traveling regional produce seminar and a learning management system, and how those have been/are being developed; the opportunities AFS is creating for produce department employees to earn certificates and explore the career paths available to them; how AFS sets up for success its remodels and new store openings; the incorporation of more innovation refrigeration, including the ROI on that equipment; the increase in cross-merchandising between departments and the breaking down of silos that's needed for more of that meal solutions presentation to occur; the growth of fresh-cut produce, the labor required for it, and the decision-making process on what to do in-house and what to do at a commissary; and more. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

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.

We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this week's episode Leigh Vaughn, director of produce and floral for Associated Food Stores. Leigh has been with AFS for 16 years now and was with Lee’s Marketplace for 13 years before that. In this week's conversation, he and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss how Leigh got started on the retail side of the business, including how he would assess employees' potential for the produce department; how he made the transition to wholesale and works with produce supervisors and managers for the stores AFS serves; the resources that AFS provides those stores, including a traveling regional produce seminar and a learning management system, and how those have been/are being developed; the opportunities AFS is creating for produce department employees to earn certificates and explore the career paths available to them; how AFS sets up for success its remodels and new store openings; the incorporation of more innovation refrigeration, including the ROI on that equipment; the increase in cross-merchandising between departments and the breaking down of silos that's needed for more of that meal solutions presentation to occur; the growth of fresh-cut produce, the labor required for it, and the decision-making process on what to do in-house and what to do at a commissary; and more. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!
For more episodes featuring executive perspective, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/executive-perspective-the-produce-retail-podcast">check out this curated playlist</a> dedicated to conversations with current and former vice presidents of produce, directors of produce, and other executive roles. 
More Playlists
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/merchandising-marketing-the-produce-retail-podcast">Merchandising &amp; Marketing</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/produce-manager-perspective-the-produce-retail-pod">Produce Manager Perspective</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>

Associated Food Stores director of produce and floral Leigh Vaughn

We're delighted to welcome as our guest this week longtime produce executive Dorn Wenninger. His most recent role was senior vice president of produce for UNFI, and before that he was vice president of produce and floral for Walmart. Before he moved to the buy side of the business, he worked for renowned suppliers Driscoll's and Chiquita. He was also a member of the inaugural board of directors for the International Fresh Produce Association. Over his time in the industry, Dorn has developed a keen interest in indoor agriculture, and he's also passionate about digging into industry data and finding opportunities for action – so those will be the two major buckets for today's conversation.

Dorn and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss why Dorn has been a student of indoor ag for 14 years now; how the vertical and glass segments are different and the opportunities he sees for them; the factors that will influence investment in CEA in the near term; the growth that greenhouse SKUs have seen within the packaged salad category, which has otherwise been down; the significant market share of CEA in packaged salads in certain regions; the few non-CEA SKUs within packaged salads that are growing; opportunities that the data shows in specialty and organic; how to use your center-store assortment to identify potential gaps in your produce assortment; the importance of combining data deep dives with walking stores and having conversations with associates; how up-and-coming produce leaders can become more comfortable with data and learn how to leverage it better; why he's been exploring floral as a key area for growth; and much more.

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.

We're delighted to welcome as our guest this week longtime produce executive Dorn Wenninger. His most recent role was senior vice president of produce for UNFI, and before that he was vice president of produce and floral for Walmart. Before he moved to the buy side of the business, he worked for renowned suppliers Driscoll's and Chiquita. He was also a member of the inaugural board of directors for the International Fresh Produce Association. Over his time in the industry, Dorn has developed a keen interest in indoor agriculture, and he's also passionate about digging into industry data and finding opportunities for action – so those will be the two major buckets for today's conversation.
Dorn and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss why Dorn has been a student of indoor ag for 14 years now; how the vertical and glass segments are different and the opportunities he sees for them; the factors that will influence investment in CEA in the near term; the growth that greenhouse SKUs have seen within the packaged salad category, which has otherwise been down; the significant market share of CEA in packaged salads in certain regions; the few non-CEA SKUs within packaged salads that are growing; opportunities that the data shows in specialty and organic; how to use your center-store assortment to identify potential gaps in your produce assortment; the importance of combining data deep dives with walking stores and having conversations with associates; how up-and-coming produce leaders can become more comfortable with data and learn how to leverage it better; why he's been exploring floral as a key area for growth; and much more.
For more episodes featuring executive perspective, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/executive-perspective-the-produce-retail-podcast">check out this curated playlist</a> dedicated to conversations with current and former vice presidents of produce, directors of produce, and other executive roles. 
More Playlists
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/merchandising-marketing-the-produce-retail-podcast">Merchandising &amp; Marketing</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/produce-manager-perspective-the-produce-retail-pod">Produce Manager Perspective</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>

Former Walmart produce exec Dorn Wenninger talks indoor ag, data  and more

We're delighted to welcome as our guest on this week's episode Lou Rotell, director of produce and floral for El Rio Grande Latin Market. The company recently set a new Guinness World Record for the largest fruit display, which featured avocados for Cinco de Mayo. Lou and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss the brainstorm that got the ball rolling on the plan for a record-breaking display; the testing of different approaches for the architecture and placement of the display; the coordination between departments across the store and between produce, marketing, logistics and other internal divisions to make the event a holistic success; the collaboration with suppliers on specifications, volume and pricing; the role of center-store suppliers and their sponsorship of the event; the discussion with Guinness on requirements to set the record; the plan to distribute the avocados to other stores after the record was set to avoid any waste; the definition of success for a special event like this one; and the way the project boosted morale among associates in the store and provided an opportunity for greater collaboration between divisions. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

For more episodes featuring marketing and merchandising perspective, check out this curated playlist for plenty of thought-provoking discussion. 

More Playlists


Executive Perspective


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.

We're delighted to welcome as our guest on this week's episode Lou Rotell, director of produce and floral for El Rio Grande Latin Market. The company recently set a new Guinness World Record for the largest fruit display, which featured avocados for Cinco de Mayo. Lou and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discuss the brainstorm that got the ball rolling on the plan for a record-breaking display; the testing of different approaches for the architecture and placement of the display; the coordination between departments across the store and between produce, marketing, logistics and other internal divisions to make the event a holistic success; the collaboration with suppliers on specifications, volume and pricing; the role of center-store suppliers and their sponsorship of the event; the discussion with Guinness on requirements to set the record; the plan to distribute the avocados to other stores after the record was set to avoid any waste; the definition of success for a special event like this one; and the way the project boosted morale among associates in the store and provided an opportunity for greater collaboration between divisions. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
For more episodes featuring marketing and merchandising perspective, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-produce-retail-podcast/playlists/merchandising-marketing-the-produce-retail-podcast">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/produce-manager-perspective-the-produce-retail-pod">Produce Manager Perspective</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>

Strack & Van Til's Mitch Harris and Andy Muller

Produce Manager Perspective — The Produce Retail Podcast

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