The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

This week on The Global Fresh Series, we take a wide-angle look at the forces reshaping the global fresh produce industry—from avocado boardroom power, with the blockbuster acquisition of Calavo Growers by Mission Produce, a deal that signals a new era of scale, vertical integration, and expansion into prepared foods. moves to unexpected environmental challenges influencing what ends up on our plates. Followed with exploring record avocado demand and how Avocados From Mexico is looking far beyond Super Bowl Sunday—forecasting billions of avocados moving through global markets and investing in year-round demand, new regions, and next-generation consumers. We look at microfibers in clothes stunting tomato growth and finally, we end on a sweet note with the surging global popularity of mangoes, as consumer demand, improved supply chains, and expanding markets continue to fuel one of the fastest-growing fruit categories worldwide.

What happens when discovery turns to disaster — and survival hangs on a sliver of luck? How close did Joseph Banks come to losing everything he had collected, and his life with it? And how did coral, disease, and chance shape one of the most important scientific voyages in history?Join John and Patrick as the Endeavour smashes onto the Great Barrier Reef, limps into Batavia, and is transformed from a ship of discovery into a floating hospital - a brutal reminder that Banks’s botanical triumphs were forged on the very edge of catastrophe.----------In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly sits down with Jeff Cady, Vice President of Procurement for Tops, to discuss retail sourcing, supplier relationships, and today’s produce market challenges. Jeff shares insights on procurement strategy, leadership, and what it takes to succeed as a retail partner in an evolving industry.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, we’re talking dandelion greens, Cara Cara red navels, and those rare Chocolate Navel oranges — all showing up in stores right now.Dan also breaks down a timely AgLife Media article on California pear growers and the impact of heavy imported pear volume still in the pipeline just as fresh Lake County pears are hitting the market.And we wrap it up with a look at some really cool, nutrient-packed broccoli microgreens.It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.

This week on The Global Fresh Series, we take a wide-angle look at how rapidly shifting environmental conditions, global demand, and innovation are reshaping the fresh produce landscape.We begin in California, where the state has officially been declared drought-free, marking a major turning point for growers, water policy, and long-term agricultural planning.From there, we travel to Southeast Asia, where surging demand for durian—driven by the Chinese market—is transforming the small rural village of Raub, in Malaysia. Once a quiet agricultural area, Raub is now positioning itself as a global supplier, expanding durian production and opening new export channels to India.We close the episode with a look at innovation closer to home, as four new potato varieties are introduced to the market—highlighting how plant breeding, consumer preferences, and adaptability continue to drive opportunity in staple crops.From climate resilience to exotic fruit demand and varietal innovation, this episode captures the interconnected forces shaping the future of global fresh produce.

What happened when Joseph Banks finally put to sea - and discovery left the comfort of gardens behind? How would a voyage meant to advance science collide with storms, suspicion, imperial rivalries, and human tragedy? And what would it cost to catalogue the natural world at the far edges of the globe?Join John and Patrick as they follow Banks aboard HMS Endeavour, from vineyards in Madeira and standoffs in Rio de Janeiro to catastrophe in Tierra del Fuego and the intoxicating promise of Tahiti. This is science under sail: plants collected at gunpoint, lives lost to ice and overconfidence, and the birth of a vision that would bind botany, empire, and exploration together - whether the world was ready for it or not.----------In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly welcomes Wiggs Civitillo, Founder and CEO of Starfish, for a conversation. Wiggs shares his background, experiences, and perspective, offering insight into his journey and the path that led him to where he is today. Through the discussion, listeners get to know Wiggs both personally and professionally, and hear his story in a natural, conversational way.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss dive into the biggest fresh produce and food trends of 2025—and look ahead to what’s coming in 2026.From fresh-cut vs. bulk on the produce stand to mushrooms, berries, and the ever-growing wall of salads, we break down what’s hot, what’s changing, and what shoppers are actually buying.We also tackle the age-old question: how many servings of fruits and vegetables should you really be eating? Remember “five a day”? What exactly counts as a serving—and how much is enough?Plus, salad talk: how to dress your greens without drowning them in heavy, fatty dressings.It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.

In this timely episode of the Global Fresh Series, we sit down with Ron Lemaire, President of the Canadian Fresh Produce Association, for a candid conversation on one of the most challenging years the global fresh produce industry has faced in recent memory.Ron reflects on the realities of 2025—marked by shifting tariffs, trade uncertainty, and geopolitical pressures—and how these forces reshaped supply chains and business strategies across borders. He also shares how new partnerships were forged, existing relationships strengthened, and innovative approaches adopted to keep fresh produce moving despite the headwinds.

Who was Joseph Banks before he became the most powerful botanist in the British Empire? How did a wealthy, restless young man turn a childhood fascination with weeds into a scientific obsession that would reshape global agriculture? And why did one cold, miserable voyage to Newfoundland prove to be the spark that launched a world-changing career?Join John and Patrick as they begin a brand-new multi-part series on Joseph Banks, tracing his early life from privileged English estates to the edge of the North Atlantic - and setting the stage for the voyages that would transform science, empire, and the history of fresh produce.----------In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In today’s episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly breaks down one of the most pressing issues facing California citrus growers this season: the unexpected surge in mandarin fruit drop.With a lighter crop already forecasted, above‑average rain, persistent fog, and rising fungal pressure have created a perfect storm in the groves — and growers across the Northern Central Valley are feeling the impact. Patrick unpacks the science, the weather patterns, the market implications, and the real‑world decisions growers are making right now to protect their operations.From Fungal stress to delayed harvest windows, from packout concerns to pricing shifts, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what the industry needs to prepare for as the 2025–26 season unfolds.Website: www.aglifemedia.comMobile App: app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com

It’s a new year on Fresh-from-the-Field Fridays, and Dan the Produce Man brings you four in-season favorites.We kick things off with broccolini, also known as sweet baby broccoli, where it came from, why it goes by so many different names, and why the stems matter.With all the rain in Northern California, chanterelle mushrooms are abundant right now, and they remain a true favorite among chefs.A brief field update from strawberry fields in Watsonville.We also get into sunchokes. Are these sunny artichokes? Well, not really. Find out what this tasty tuber is all about.And we wrap things up with a quick blurb on the Sumo Mandarin, including which three citrus varieties contributed to its development.It’s all right here on Fresh-from-the-Field Fridays, on the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media.

The final Global Fresh Series episode of 2025 is all about celebration. We’re highlighting the people, ideas, and breakthroughs that shaped the year across the global fresh produce industry. From farm fields to global markets, this episode captures the energy, resilience, and innovation that defined 2025—and sets the stage for an exciting year ahead. Join us as we close the season with gratitude, insight, and a fresh outlook for 2026.Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/Global Women Fresh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://globalwomenfresh.com

Once, Switzerland was a land of pears.When we picture the Swiss countryside today, we imagine tidy fields, precision farming, and alpine order. But not so long ago, vast stretches of eastern Switzerland were covered in towering pear trees - ancient giants that fed communities, sustained wildlife, and produced perry renowned across Europe.So how did a nation famed for care, balance, and cultivation come to destroy eleven million fruit trees in the space of a generation?Join John and Patrick as they unravel one of the strangest and most unsettling episodes in modern agricultural history: the deliberate, state-sponsored destruction of Switzerland’s perry orchards. From temperance panics and alcohol laws to bureaucrats with axes, propaganda films, and the cult of “modern” efficiency, this is a story of progress turned destructive - and of a drink, a landscape, and a culture quietly erased.Was this modernization… or cultural vandalism? And what was lost when the last great pear trees fell?READ MORE about Perry Pears here. ----------In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In this special year-end episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly reflects on the defining moments, challenges, and wins that shaped the produce industry over the past year. From market shifts and innovation to leadership lessons and industry trends, Patrick breaks down what mattered most—and why. He also looks ahead to the new year, sharing insights on what’s coming next and how produce professionals can prepare for the opportunities and changes ahead.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Ross brings on a special guest, his daughter Alice, to share her preteen fresh produce picks. Ross also digs into some dairy-free alternatives to his traditional Czech heritage cookies, plus brand-new seasoned veggie kits made for the air fryer. They cover New Year’s Eve produce picks, from black-eyed peas and collard greens to grapes, and even tackle the question of whether New Year’s resolutions are actually a good idea.It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media.

Twas the price before Christmas, and all through the supply chain, avocados were falling while citrus felt the strain. In this festive episode of the Global Fresh Series, we unwrap the latest market moves—avocado prices hitting multi-year lows thanks to booming imports, while California citrus climbs to holiday-high territory. With a nod to a classic Christmas tale (reimagined with fresh produce), this episode blends market insight with a little seasonal cheer.Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/ Global Women Fresh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://globalwomenfresh.com

As 2025 draws to a close, we also reach the midpoint of the decade. Looking back on an eventful first half of the 2020s, we’re left with a big question: what will history remember about this era in the world of fresh produce?In this final livestream of 2025, John and Patrick will revisit the defining moments of the past five years, unpack their historical significance, and ask whether these events will endure as true turning points - or fade into the background as intriguing but fleeting milestones.----------In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly recaps AgLife Media’s 2025, highlighting key projects, industry conversations, and how the company supported produce professionals through a year of change. Patrick shares what AgLife Media learned from the field, the topics that resonated most with the industry, and how those insights are shaping the year ahead.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays,Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss aretalking Christmas cookie traditions, with Ross sharing family-favorite Czechrecipesand why he still uses an old-school, hand-turned grinder to make walnut flourthe traditional way. That technique also opens the door to gluten-free anddairy-free holiday cookie options.On the table this week: Oro Blancos, Kishu mandarins, sweetlimes, imported Bing cherries, white strawberries, chestnuts, Davison apples,late-season Fuyu persimmons, and how to use them, even when they start tosoften so nothing goes to waste.It’s festive, it’s flavorful, and it’s all right here onthis holiday episode of Fresh from the Field Fridays, from the ProduceIndustry Network, powered by AgLife Media.