The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays…
Dan is joined by Chris Zanobini from the California Pear Advisory Board.
We’re digging into what’s really going on with imported pears flooding the market right when California fruit - especially Bartletts - is coming on. What that means for our growers, what you’re seeing at retail, and why it matters more than most people realize.
We also get into how the produce industry - and you as a consumer - can actually be part of the solution.
Fresh From The Field Fridays is brought to you by The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media.
Check out aglifemedia.com today.

This week on the Global Fresh Series, we take you to the opening day of Macfrut 2026 in Rimini, Italy—where the global fresh produce industry gathers with energy, innovation, and purpose. From the moment the doors open, the show floor comes alive with international voices, forward-thinking technology, and powerful storytelling from growers and brands around the world.
In this episode, we explore the key themes shaping this year’s event, including sustainability, post-harvest innovation, and the growing importance of authentic connections across the supply chain. With a strong international presence and unmistakable Italian hospitality, Macfrut once again proves to be more than a trade show—it’s a global meeting point for the future of fresh.
Join us as we capture the sights, sounds, and insights from day one in Rimini, and set the stage for an exciting week ahead.

Who was John Francis Queeny, the broke Irish-American salesman who founded one of the most powerful and controversial companies in the history of modern agriculture - without knowing the first thing about chemistry? Why did a secret deal with Coca-Cola, a presidential letter, and a warehouse full of matches save his fledgling empire from collapse? And how does the unlikely story of a fake sweetener made from coal tar in St. Louis open a window onto the birth of the American chemical industry; from patent medicines and caffeine trials to the fossil chemistry that would one day reshape what the entire world eats?
Join John and Patrick as they begin their six-part series on Monsanto - the company that started with saccharin and ended up controlling the farm - in an age when there were no labels, no regulations, and absolutely no shortage of things that could kill you...
----------
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 friends
Give a 5-star rating
Write 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:
@historyoffreshproduce
Email: [email protected]

Join Patrick Kelly as he recaps the vibrant Viva Fresh 2026 showcase in San Antonio, highlighting the debut of Juicy the Mango and the impactful Water for All initiative.
Hear insights from his keynote at the Pro Act conference on bridging generational gaps in leadership, plus behind-the-scenes moments from booths and industry leaders.
Tune in for fresh industry stories and a sneak peek at upcoming events and promotions!

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man
We’ve got Bei Bei Kabocha squash, baby fava beans, Seascape strawberries, first of the season California Tioga cherries, plus fresh California apricots, peaches, and purple asparagus
It’s all right here - your produce market on the podosphere
Fresh From the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by Ag Life Media
Check out aglifemedia.com today