Fresh Take with IDDBA

What's In Store - Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel with John Stefanik (Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Ditsch USA) In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (What's in Store), Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with John Stefanik, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ditsch USA, for a lively conversation about pretzel craft, category innovation, and what's next for bakery. John breaks down what separates a good pretzel from a great one—from authentic dough and the classic caustic bath to the behind-the-scenes time and temperature details that create a truly memorable bite. He also shares why fermentation is one of the most underrated (and most fascinating) parts of the bakery process—where science, chemistry, and artistry all collide. Looking ahead, John talks about new growth opportunities, including a new facility and a developing R&D lab—plus how his team is thinking about pushing the boundaries of "what a pretzel can be," with plans to bring fresh ideas to #IDDBA2026 in Orlando, June 7-9. You can check out the Ditsch TikTok that John mentioned @goodbite_de and check out posts with hundreds of thousands of views! Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and membership, visit IDDBA.org.

What's in Store for 2026: Heather Prach and Kat Shanahan on the 2026 Trends & a New Era for What's in Store For December, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with IDDBA's new VP of Membership and Marketing, Kat Shanahan, to debut the 2026 What's in Store trends—earlier than ever before and now available free to all IDDBA members. Together they walk through five big themes that cut across dairy, deli, and bakery. Heather and Kat dig into why convenience now has an emotional core, explore how "clean" has elevated from a trend to a baseline expectation, and why the fresh perimeter is so well-positioned to win on simple ingredient decks and transparent labels. In addition, Kat shares big news about what's ahead for the show and what you can look forward to in 2026. Get ready for more segments like The Executive Aisle, with IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf, as well as new segments for a new year! Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. Check out the What's in Store 2026 Trends Report today! https://www.iddba.org/education/trainings/whats-in-store To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Trends2026 #ConsumerTrends #FreshPerimeter #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #MealSolutions #CleanLabel #UltraProcessedFoods #HealthyIndulgence #Protein #GutHealth #GlobalFlavors #Sampling #RetailTrends #FoodRetail #Supermarket #Grocery #FoodService #Leadership #Innovation #IDDBA

Cheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian Freeman (Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager, Tops Markets) For November, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Brian Freeman, Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager at Tops Markets, in a free-rolling but practical conversation that moves from social-media spikes and global flavor discovery to the merchandising habits and programs that turn a cheese case into a true destination. Brian shares how his category at Tops has outpaced national growth by pairing innovation and authenticity with close collaboration across makers, brokers, and buyers—grounded in travel, plant visits, and shows like IDDBA. He explains why a great cheese set should feel like a "treasure hunt," how simple, shopper-friendly charcuterie signage and real sampling still drive results, and how to ride TikTok-fueled surges without losing focus. Along the way, he digs into building eye-opening cheese "flights" plus answers a rapid-fire round of questions from Heather that reveals his go-to picks. Looking ahead, Brian discusses where global flavors are heading, how to design programs that deliver wins for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, and practical steps teams can take this month—refreshing displays with peaks and valleys, clarifying signs, and putting product in shoppers' hands. We think you'll come away with actionable ways to energize your cheese category, engage teams on the floor, and build a destination set that keeps customers coming back. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at [education@iddba.org](mailto:education@iddba.org). To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: [https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership](https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership) #Cheese #SpecialtyCheese #Charcuterie #Merchandising #Sampling #ShopperMarketing #RetailTrends #Dairy #Deli #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation #Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience #CStore

Our quarterly feature, The Executive Aisle, continues with IDDBA President & CEO David Haaf in conversation with Jody Barrick, Senior Vice President for Fresh Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli & Specialty at UNFI. They start with an important industry announcemnet, and then together, cut through the noise on where fresh is headed, wellness as a mainstream driver, the shift to "restaurant-quality at home," and how speed and simplicity are reshaping the trip from curbside to deli case. Barrick shares vivid examples of what's working now. She digs into why global flavors and quality cues win the deli/take-home occasion, and how Cub Foods "Shop Happy" brand platform anchors a joyful, community-rooted fresh experience. Along the way, she connects UNFI's "one van" origin story to today's mission of making better food more accessible and explains the leadership playbook of coaching, clear communication, and building teams for constant change. Whether you're a supplier, retailer, marketer, or other food professional, this conversation offers practical guidance on balancing speed with quality, blending digital and in-store storytelling, and using data without losing human instinct so you can keep shoppers at the center, elevate fresh as the hero, and lead your organization through what's in store for tomorrow. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership  

Bakery is Civilization: Donald DeMont on the Big Picture of (Gluten-Free) Bakery (Regional Sales Manager, Antonina's Gluten-Free Bakery) For August, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Donald DeMont, Regional Sales Manager for Antonina's Gluten-Free Bakery, in a wide-ranging conversation that goes from the current world of bakery and taste trends all the way back to the beginning of human civilization. Donald shares the company's origins in meeting family dietary needs, how and why it became America's No. 1 manufacturer of gluten-free muffins, cakes, and brownies , the journey to creating gluten-free products that mimic the taste and texture of traditional baked goods, and the growing demand for other dietary options like dairy-free. Along the way, he offers a history lesson on how bakery products shaped civilization, reflects on flavor trends like artisan breads and fusion foods, and explains why simple, real ingredients are making a comeback. Plus, you'll hear his take on the future of food sourcing, the role of demos in driving trial, and the importance of wowing customers with taste, texture, and visual appeal. We think you'll enjoy learning why Donald says "Bakery is civilization itself" as well as more insights and inspiration in his conversation with Heather. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Bakery #GlutenFree #GlutenFreeBakery #Dairy #Deli  #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #RetailTrends #FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation #Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience #CStore

Our new regular quarterly feature of the What's in Store Podcast, The Executive Aisle, continues with our second installment: IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf discusses the future of our industry with David Melnick, Partner & EVP, Brand Integration at Marriner Marketing, where they dive into the meat of why clarity in communication is the key to successful marketing in our industry! Melnick gets into some specific details of successful marketing, from innovative campaigns by Tillamook, novel new products that solved an emergent trend from McCormick & Company, and storytelling that reaches consumers from Fresh Market. In their conversation, they discuss preimeter opportunities, the blend of digital and in-store experiences, and the value of cutting through data overload and forging human, emotional connections. Whether you're a supplier, retailer or marketer, Melnick and Haaf's conversation is a must-listen for those who want to learn how to balance rigorous, data-driven insights with human instincts so that you keep your customers front-and-center. Tune in for insights and strategies that can help make your brand the hero of your customers' stories. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at podcast@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership You can see David Melnick's four-minute presentation at #IDDBA2025 here, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iddba_iddba2025-activity-7344444845995827201-qopG/  

Let the good times roll! IDDBA's Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership, and Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations, take the podcast down to New Orleans to bring you a collection of conversations and stories right from inside #IDDBA2025, the premier event of the year in our industry. All of the podcast was recorded on location at the show - some of it on the busy show floor itself! If hearing the podcast isn't enough, you can head over to the YouTube version of the episode and watch the full episode! This year's show ended all too quickly. Being in New Orleans was very special, and though we're saying goodbye, what we had in this time will always mean so much. Be sure to check out an incredible collection of social media posts from #IDDBA2025 that we shared from attendees, exhibitors, food professionals and more - as well as our own production of videos - here on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iddba/ In addition, our new Instagram is growing and has an entirely different perspective on the show that you won't want to miss: https://www.instagram.com/iddba/ IDDBA's annual show is a breathtaking event that no conversation or description can ever fully capture. Make sure you don't miss out: #IDDBA2026 is only a year away; we look forward to seeing you in Orlando on June 7-9, 2026! #WeAreIDDBA #Community #CultivatingCommunity #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #People #EmpoweringPeople #FoodService #CStore #Convenience #Technology #EmbracingTechnology #Competition #OvercomingCompetition

Join IDDBA's Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership, and Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations, for a full-on dive into the premiere event of the year—#IDDBA2025 in New Orleans, June 1–3! In this high-energy episode, Whitney and Heather walk you through everything you can look forward to: unforgettable General Sessions featuring stars like Kevin Costner, Claire Saffitz, Michael Strahan, and Carla Hall; hands-on excitement at What's In Store Live; next-gen connection at Career Connect Live; and trend-forward insights from experts at Bixa, Euromonitor, and NIQ, and much, much more! Whether you've already booked your trip or you're still on the fence, this is your insider guide to making the most of your IDDBA experience. Register for #IDDBA2025 TODAY: https://www.iddba.org/registration Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA, or have a question about any of the programs brought up by Heather and Whitney? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #IDDBA2025 #RetailInnovation #Trends #Leadership #NewOrleans #NextGenTalent #What'sInStoreLive #CloseUpKitchen #Supermarket #FoodService #Networking

Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership introduces a new regular feature of the What's in Store Podcast: The Executive Aisle, a quarterly series where IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf discusses the industry with another knowledgeable leader. In this episode, he welcomes Upper Crust President and IDDBA Board Chair Carmela Serebryany for a thoughtful and timely look at the forces shaping bakery manufacturing today, from real-world innovation to evolving consumer preferences and operational realities. Carmela opens with a powerful story of personal and professional transformation, from immigration to law to ultimately leading one of North America's most influential frozen bakery companies. They then dive into key trends, with Carmela identifying several areas of growth: the return of fresh in-store baking, the rise of global flavor mashups, and the shift toward more functional and health-conscious offerings, all driven by consumer demand and fueled by social media. The conversation also explores how companies like Upper Crust are managing challenges like labor shortages and rising costs by investing in technology and automation. Carmela emphasizes the importance of freezer-to-oven solutions that reduce in-store complexity while maintaining product quality. David and Carmela also touch on sustainability, digital traceability, and what it takes to scale innovation efficiently while still responding to changing consumer expectations. From tariffs and supply chain disruption to TikTok-driven cravings and protein-rich croissants, this episode paints a nuanced picture of a bakery sector in the middle of rapid evolution. Whether you're on the retail side, in manufacturing, or part of the broader foodservice ecosystem, you'll walk away with practical insights—and a clearer view of what's rising in bakery. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at podcast@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership We're excited to see you at #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans, June 1-3. You can register for this amazing event here: https://www.iddba.org/registration Check out all of our upcoming webinars here: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/webinars#featured-webinar  

Fresh Leadership: Ken Wicker on Retail Grocery Trends (Senior Vice President of Fresh Foods, Festival Foods) For March, Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, speaks with Ken Wicker, Senior Vice President of Fresh Foods at Festival Foods, in an engaging conversation where he shares insights on fresh foods, leadership, and the evolving grocery landscape in 2025. With decades of retail experience, Ken discusses how consumer demand for convenience, high-quality fresh foods, and personalized shopping experiences is shaping the industry. He and Whitney explore the commitment to scratch-made bakery, prepared meal solutions, and innovative merchandising strategies that set Festival Foods apart. Ken also shares his take on emerging challenges in retail, including inflation, shifting consumer behaviors, and the increasing role of technology in forecasting, labor management, and guest engagement. Throughout the conversation, his leadership philosophy shines—focusing on team development, adaptability, and collaboration as key drivers of success in today's grocery industry. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #RetailTrends #FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation #Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience

Navigating 2025: Tim Powell Breaks Down Challenges & Opportunities (Managing Principal, Foodservice IP) As 2025 unfolds, dive into this episode of the What's in Store Podcast! Join Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she chats with Tim Powell, Managing Principal at Foodservice IP, to discuss key trends and challenges shaping retail groceries, convenience stores, and foodservice in the year ahead. With over 20 years of experience in market research and consulting, Tim shares insights on navigating economic pressures, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving industry roles. He and Whitney explore the impact of inflation on dining habits, Gen Z's influence on foodservice, and strategies for balancing costs while maintaining menu innovation. They also discuss the growing importance of loyalty programs, delivery services, and the resilience of convenience store formats. Listeners will gain insights into managing food price fluctuations, supply chain volatility, and labor market pressures, while learning how to engage consumers through sustainability and brand purpose. The conversation offers a concise look at the factors influencing foodservice in 2025 and beyond. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #Grocery #FoodService #ConvenienceStore #Trends2025 #GenZ #Innovation #SupplyChain #FoodTrends #FoodRetail  

The Product Information Revolution: Insights from Scott Brown (Director of Global Strategy, 1WorldSync) As 2025 begins, enjoy this bonus episode of the What's in Store Podcast! Join Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, in her conversation with Scott Brown, Director of Global Strategy at 1WorldSync, discussing the intersection of technology, data, and the grocery industry. In this episode, Scott shares how 1WorldSync powers IDDBA's Digital Catalog, helping members showcase their products, stay competitive, and meet evolving consumer demands. They explore the dramatic shifts in technology and consumer behavior, from pre- and post-COVID trends to the growing importance of consistent, data-driven product information for e-commerce, supply chain efficiency, and retail success. Scott also discusses some exciting new innovations poised to revolutionize product packaging and transform how businesses interact with their consumers by 2027. With his 20+ years of experience in master data governance and retail strategy, Scott offers actionable insights into how technology is reshaping the future of grocery and foodservice. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or industry innovator, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and a glimpse into the tech trends shaping 2025 and beyond. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA's Digital Catalog? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. For more about IDDBA's Digital Catalog, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/why-join/digital-catalog To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #DigitalCatalog #Innovation #ProductInformation #Technology #Trends2025 #Ecommerce

The Future is Better Together: 2025 Trends with Heather Prach (Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, IDDBA) We're kicking off Season 4 of the What's in Store Podcast with an exciting conversation! Join Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she sits down with Heather Prach, Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, for an exclusive look at the 2025 Industry Trends shaping the dairy, deli, and bakery sectors. Guided by the theme "Better Together," Whitney and Heather explore the five key trends for 2025: Chop Chop; Live, Laugh, Luxury; Endless Possibilities; Less is More; and Uniquely You. From emerging consumer behaviors to innovative product strategies, they dive into how these trends are reshaping grocery retail and foodservice, offering actionable insights for businesses of all sizes. Heather shares how IDDBA leverages data from trusted partners like Circana, NIQ, and Euromonitor to inform these annual trends, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful throughout the year. Whether you're in retail, supply, or foodservice innovation, this episode is packed with expert insights, trend analysis, and practical takeaways to prepare you for 2025 and beyond. We're always looking for fresh voices and perspectives on the podcast. If you have a story, trend, or expertise to share, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@iddba.org and let's make it happen. Tune in for an engaging start to our fourth season—it's time to embrace the future, Better Together! For more about the What's in Store publication, or to order yours today, head here: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #Trends2025 #BetterTogether #Innovation

A Special Season Finale: David Haaf (President & CEO, IDDBA) Talks 2025's Challenges and Opportunities We're wrapping up the third season of the What's in Store Podcast with a bang! Join Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she sits down with our very own President and CEO, David Haaf, for a lively and insightful conversation about the future of the dairy, deli, and bakery industry. With the excitement of IDDBA's 60th anniversary celebration at #IDDBA2024 in Houston still fresh, they discuss what's on the horizon for the association, its members, and the broader grocery and foodservice sectors. From hot consumer trends to the evolving needs of buyers and sellers, David offers expert insights with a personal touch, breaking down how IDDBA is tackling challenges like turnover, professional development, and market consolidation. Plus, hear about the growing influence of convenience stores, foodservice, and international markets—and how they're redefining the industry. Whether you're in retail, supply, or foodservice innovation, this episode has something for everyone—fun anecdotes, professional insights, and actionable takeaways to prepare you for 2025 and beyond. And here's a bonus: we're always looking to feature fresh voices and perspectives on the podcast. If you have a story, trend, or expertise to share, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us (podcast@iddba.org) and let's make it happen. Tune in for an engaging finale to our third season and get ready to take on the future with a smile. See you in 2025! For more about IDDBA and membership: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership For more about #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans, June 1-3, 2025: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/iddba-2025  

For November, IDDBA's Vice President of Marketing and Membership, Whitney Atkins, is joined in conversation by IDDBA Education Coordinator Jack Ince, discussing the big trends that are going to impact our industry this holiday season, with more than a few surprise data points that could help your business find greater success as 2024 comes to a close. Learn more about What's in Store, our trends publication, here: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store The IDDBA Webinar Series is a free offering to anyone interested, but our archives our only available to IDDBA members; learn more here: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/webinars#featured-webinar IDDBA's annual trade show heads to New Orleans, June 1-3; learn more about #IDDBA2025 here: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/iddba-2025 Have a question or comment, or an idea for a future episode? Write to us today at podcast@iddba.org.

In a fun and informative conversative, IDDBA's Whitney Atkins (Vice President of Marketing and Membership) is joined in this episode by Marco Hernandez, the Director of Technical Sales for Miller Milling, and part of the Wheat Foods Council. As Marco puts it, "Flour is magic" and with us nearly every day, and he urges us not to underestimate how a cookie might change our life. He shares a little about his 34 years in the industry and gets into the details so you can learn how not all flour is created equal, the six classes of wheat (Soft Red Winter, Hard Red Winter, Hard Red Spring, Hard White, Soft White, and Durum), the applications for each, and how choosing not just the right class of flour, but also the right specific flour is critical to success in the bakery industry, where consistent output is such a challenge. Learn more about the Wheat Foods Council, here: https://www.wheatfoods.org/about-us/ As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive!

For our September episode of the What's in Store Podcast, IDDBA's Vice President of Marketing & Membership, Whitney Atkins, is joined by Dave Gonnella from Gonnella Baking Company. They discuss the value of numerous generations of employees in the workplace, branding and rebranding, innovations and navigating trends, food service at retail, and how Gonnella has kept things fresh for 140 years! For more on trends, be sure to check out IDDBA's What's in Store publication, updated monthly! https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store You can email education@iddba.org for more information about the programs discussed in this episode. As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive! 

In August, IDDBA's Vice President of Marketing, Whitney Atkins, is joined by Kenneth Juskowiak from NIQ, and the two share a conversation about the power of data, how smaller companies can best make use of it, and how Generative AI can be utilized to help companies succeed. IDDBA members can head to our website to check out our Webinars on data and trends - including some from NIQ, here: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/webinars/data-trends#Data/Trends You can email education@iddba.org for more information about the programs discussed in this episode. As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive! 

Thank you for joining us for our third season of IDDBA's What's in Store Podcast! Heather Atkins, Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, joins Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing, for a free-ranging conversation about the generations in the workplace - Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z - and their different views on working, professional development, and more! IDDBA has many opportunities for professional development, including: Professional Development Scholarship: https://www.iddba.org/professional-resources/scholarships/professional-development-scholarship Scholarship for Growing the Future (open from January to April): https://www.iddba.org/professional-resources/scholarships/scholarship-for-growing-the-future IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program, this September in Madison: https://www.iddba.org/professional-resources/personal-development/leadership-certificate You can read more from Heather on generational differences in her #IDDBA2024 General Session panel, Trends; slides from that panel are available here: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/general-sessions/iddba24/heather-prach IDDBA's What's in Store publication is online and updated regularly; generational differences relevant to our industry are available for reading there as well: https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store  

Join IDDBA's Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing, and Heather Prach, Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, for a full-on dive into the premiere show of the year, #IDDBA2024 in Houston, in just days, June 9-11! They talk about all the things you can look forward to, from the fantastic General Sessions to the action at What's in Store Live, and everything else. See what's happening at #IDDBA2024 here: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/happening-at-iddba-2024 Cake'd: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/participate/cake-d Salumi'd: https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/participate/salumi%E2%80%99d You can email education@iddba.org for more information about the programs discussed in this episode. As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive!