The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

What does a Roman emperor’s craving for cucumbers have to do with feeding eight billion people? How did a 15th-century Korean cookbook quietly invent heated agriculture centuries before Europe’s glass palaces? And how did Victorian spectacle, world wars, hydroponic ambition, and Dutch engineering transform the greenhouse from aristocratic indulgence into global infrastructure?
Join John and Patrick as they trace the extraordinary history of climate control in the service of fresh produce - from Tiberius’s selenite-covered cucumber beds, to the heated ondol systems of the Joseon Dynasty, the imperial glasshouses of Palace of Versailles and Royal Botanic Gardens, and the hydroponic battlefields of the Second World War.
Because this is not just a story about architecture. It is a story about anxiety, empire, science, and survival. About humanity’s refusal to let winter - or war, or geography - dictate what ends up on our plates.
From Roman villas to vertical farms... this is the history of the greenhouse, and the quiet revolution that changed how the world grows its food.
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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
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Join host Patrick Kelly on-location at KDC in Vineland, New Jersey, for an exclusive deep dive into winter produce imports and family-run business excellence.
Hear from industry leader William Kopke as he shares insights on building trust, operational innovation, and the future of fresh produce in a rapidly changing market.
Discover what it takes to lead a global produce hub and why collaboration is key to thriving together in the supply chain.
#freshproduce #agriculture #supplychain
https://kopkefruit.com - Check out the latest and greatest from Kopke!

In this episode of the Global Fresh Series, we take you inside the energy and excitement of the SEPC Southern Exposure 2026 in Orlando, Florida—one of the fresh produce industry’s most anticipated gatherings of the year.
From the vibrant trade show floor to meaningful conversations with growers, shippers, retailers, and innovators across the supply chain, this episode captures the spirit of collaboration that defines Southern Exposure. We discuss the standout moments from the expo, including innovative booth presentations, new product introductions, and the growing role of storytelling and digital media in connecting fresh produce with buyers and consumers.
We also highlight the educational sessions that addressed key industry topics—from supply chain challenges and market trends to the importance of building stronger relationships across the industry. As always, the show was not just about business—it was about community, networking, and celebrating the passion that drives the fresh produce sector forward.
#freshproduce. #SEPC2026. #agriculture

What was the United States government’s first move, when it decided that what Americans ate was a matter of national concern? Why, from the depths of the Civil War to the height of the culture wars, has Washington repeatedly redrawn the nation’s plate - sometimes to fight hunger, sometimes to win wars, sometimes to battle heart disease and obesity? And how did fruits and vegetables move from quiet supporting players to nutritional protagonists, caught between science, industry, and politics?
Join John and Patrick as they trace the extraordinary history of U.S. dietary guidelines - from the founding of the United States Department of Agriculture in 1862, through wartime rationing and the “Basic Seven,” to the rise and fall of the Food Pyramid and the fierce debates of today. As public health, agricultural economics, and political ideology collide at the dinner table, one question lingers: when the government tells you what to eat, who (and what) is really being served?
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In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.
The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!
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Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.
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Share this episode with your friends
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Write a review

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@historyoffreshproduce
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Join host Patrick Kelly as he welcomes special co-host Jonathan Buettner of Buettner Processing Solutions, LLC. for a lively discussion from the Southern Exposure 2026 event in Orlando, Florida.
This episode dives into the heart of the produce supply chain community, highlighting trade show insights, industry collaborations, and innovations shaping the future of fresh produce.
Tune in to hear about networking, new technology, and the spirit of support that keeps this industry growing strong.