The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

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...
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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
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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

his week on the Global Fresh Series, we dive into how one everyday staple—tomatoes—has become a powerful symbol of today’s shifting food economy. While broader grocery inflation begins to cool, tomato prices are surging, revealing a perfect storm of converging forces behind the scenes.
From tariffs on imported supply to rising diesel fuel costs and increasing fertilizer expenses, the pressure is building across the entire supply chain. Add in seasonal demand and global trade dynamics, and tomatoes are now at the forefront of a new, more uneven wave of food inflation.
In this episode, we break down what’s driving the spike, why it matters for growers, retailers, and consumers alike, and what it signals for the future of fresh produce pricing worldwide.
#freshtomatoes #freshproduce #fertilizer #groceryinflation

Who is Bill Gates, the college dropout from Seattle who built the operating system of global capitalism - and then turned his restless, problem-solving mind to the oldest human activity of all: growing food? Why did his six-billion-dollar mission to end hunger in Africa leave more people hungry than before? And how does the story of one man's extraordinary ambition over the world's food supply echo the great estates of Imperial Rome, the English enclosures, and the ruthless monopolies of the Gilded Age?
Join John and Patrick as they tell the unsettling story of the world's most powerful philanthropist and his campaign to rewrite the operating system of African agriculture — in an age when the line between benevolence and control has never been harder to draw...
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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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Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.
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@historyoffreshproduce
Email: [email protected]