Jim Prevor's Perishable Pundit Podcast

In this edition of the Perishable Pundit Podcast, Jim Prevor reflects on the recently announced planned merger of the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association. From a personal retrospective, Jim shares rich anecdotes about some of the intersections between the Prevor Family’s fresh produce business history and the industry associations of the time.  The memories illustrate some of the dynamic business-to-association inter-dependencies that strengthen companies, shape market strength, and provide opportunities for individuals to serve the industry they love through association leadership. Jim also explores the foundational purposes of associations. He examines their role in influencing governmental oversight and regulation, along with the associated challenges.  He looks into association finance and peers into the future—conjecturing a bit about efficiencies, constituencies, and value proposition. In the end, what does the PMA-United merger mean for individuals, companies and the industry as a whole ?  The Perishable Pundit lays out the future. Listen, watch, or read to find out.

Once again, Jim Prevor steps outside his usual produce industry pinnings and discusses transformative topics that affect us all. In this episode, the Perishable Pundit uncovers “untold stories” about Chadwick Boseman’s close family ties, his support from his community and his own personal grit. In a world of the Black Lives Matter marches for policy changes and attitude shifts, the example of Chadwick Boseman stands to tell us a different story -- that success comes mostly from family and extended family and personal effort. If you really want to look below the surface, Chadwick’s life is filled with extremely important lessons.

Cornell University has justified reopening by establishing elaborate screening, quarantine policies and enforcing social distancing. Yet we are reminded that this age cohort has negligible risk of dying from COVID-19. Think of the student athlete who strives to be a pro and can’t live his or her dream because his or her school can't take responsibility for even the most minimal of risks. Even in the case of food safety, our society has zero tolerance for the most infinitesimal risk. In the end, society’s aversion to risk at all costs has its price.

A terrible sadness is the appropriate emotion as the nation wrestles with the public protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police. What we got, as a nation, was riots. The attacks on companies, such as Walmart retail stores in Chicago, show the likely consequences of the riots will be to hurt the protesters intended to help.