The Checkout: Grocery Nerds

Errol interviews Jeff Conant of Friends of the Earth about the group’s new report, Food, Land and Money. The report argues that what we call the “food system” is really an “agribusiness financial complex.” Three asset managers control about 24% of it, development banks fund agrochemicals and industrial livestock, and the big grain traders (ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus) earn over 75% of their revenue from speculating on grain prices. Conant says this finance drives deforestation (palm oil fires in Borneo, soy in the Amazon), land grabs, and hunger profiteering. Years of pressure on investors like BlackRock won some no-deforestation policies, but ESG efforts have since lost ground to political backlash. He urges people in the food industry to back a “people’s food web” through local and regional procurement, divestment, and policy pressure, and he frames the shift away from the current model as a century-long project.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Errol speaks with Sarela Herrada and Matt Cohen, co-founders of SIMPLi, to discuss their mission to transform the food system through regenerative organic agriculture, transparent sourcing, and nutrient-dense pantry staples. The founders explain how their commitment to soil health, crop rotation, fair wages, and supporting smallholder farmers drives their business, while sharing third-party testing results that demonstrate the nutritional benefits of their products compared to conventional alternatives. They also discuss the origins of SIMPLi, the challenges of building a premium packaged food brand, and the complexities of sourcing quinoa ethically while protecting the food security and economic well-being of indigenous farming communities. The conversation explores SIMPLi's retail growth, its evolving marketing strategy, and the importance of communicating tangible consumer benefits like protein, fiber, taste, and nutritional quality rather than relying solely on sustainability messaging. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Errol sits down with longtime friend and supplier Daniel Goetz, founder of Goodpop, now in its 17th year and still fully bootstrapped. Daniel started the company as a UT Austin student in 2009, inspired by fresh-fruit paletas in Mexico and a family history of pushcart entrepreneurs. He made 18,000 pops for his launch at ACL, the festival turned into a cold, rainy mud pit, and he sold four.From there, Daniel walks through every invisible link in the frozen supply chain. He covers persuading legacy co-packers to run real fruit on equipment built for sugar water, working with cold storage partners like Lineage, and handling distributors and retailers who often want slotting more than a story. He explains why he keeps non-working trade spend at 10% or less, how Goodpop became the first non-GMO Project Verified brand in its category, and why he chose to go deeper, not wider, with retail partners who actually care.They close on the Good Food Collective, a food-company advocacy group Daniel helped launch with more than 30 brands, and its QR-code proposal for the FDA’s coming front-of-pack nutrition labels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Jocelyn Ramirez and Stephanie Garcia Turner share their journeys from industry veterans to founders of Tuyo Foods, discussing their innovative approach to Latin cuisine, challenges faced as women and Latina entrepreneurs, and their vision for building a community-centered, authentic brand.From Whole Foods to Entrepreneurship  Stephanie shares her remarkable path from her role as a local forager at Whole Foods to co-founding Tuyyo Foods. Her experience taught her the intricacies of food sourcing, significantly shaping her approach to business.  "I always had a passion for food, but it really got me into the nitty-gritty of how food gets from farm to fork."  Her passion for understanding the journey of food was pivotal in her decision to create something new amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.  The Pandemic Pivot  Jocelyn's journey also reflects a significant pivot during the pandemic. With a background as a chef and a published cookbook under her belt, she adapted her business model to enter the CPG space.   "It was the pivot of a lifetime… I joined a minority-owned fellowship and met Stephanie, which opened up a world of collaboration."  This transition was not just about survival; it was about thriving in a new environment while supporting each other as women and Latinas in the industry.  A Collaborative Vision  The synergy between Stephanie and Jocelyn blossomed into a partnership that emphasizes support and resource sharing. Their collaboration is grounded in a shared vision for their brands and a commitment to uplift one another.  "How could we support each other as women in the industry, as Latinas in the industry?"  This question ignited a conversation that led to the formation of Tuyyo Foods, highlighting the importance of community in entrepreneurship.  Reflecting on Growth  As we explore their stories, it becomes clear that Stephanie and Jocelyn are not just business partners; they are trailblazers who are reshaping the CPG landscape. Their experiences remind us that with collaboration and resilience, we can navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.  For more insights into their journey and the evolution of Tuyyo Foods, listen to the full episode.  ---  Stay tuned for our next episode where we continue to explore the innovative minds in the grocery sector!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Liz Abunaw shares her journey from corporate food sales to founding 40 Acres Fresh Market on Chicago's West Side, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in community-focused grocery retail. This episode explores supply chain strategies, community impact, and the importance of business acumen in independent grocery success.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.