The Produce Industry Podcast w/ Patrick Kelly

Join host Patrick Kelly and longtime guest Michael Chavez from Golden Star Citrus as they delve into the escalating costs impacting growers, packers, and shippers across North America.
This episode breaks down fuel, packaging, and operational pressures, exploring innovative strategies and industry collaboration needed to thrive amid tightening margins. Tune in for a grounded conversation on adapting to the new normal in fresh produce supply.
#risingcost #supplychain #agriculture #freshproduce #northamerica

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, we’re talking spring. Four items that are really shining right now.
Savoy or Bloomsdale spinach, fresh harvested English peas, young spring radishes, and new crop California blueberries.
Then we take a trip to the farmers market and catch up with Eric Arias of Castellano Farms out of Dinuba, California. He gives us an update on the upcoming stone fruit season, with fruit expected to hit the market mid-May.
It’s a crop update, and we’ll tell you what, the fruit is on the horizon, and it’s looking good.
Fresh From the Field Fridays is brought to you by the Produce Industry Network and powered by AgLife Media. Head over to aglifemedia.com and check it out.

Regenerative agriculture is no longer a niche concept—it’s becoming a defining force in the future of global fresh produce. In this episode of the Global Fresh Series, we explore how farmers, retailers, and multinational food companies are working together to restore soil health, improve resilience, and reshape supply chains from the ground up.
From large-scale initiatives across Europe to retailer-backed programs supporting farmers with data, training, and long-term investment, this episode dives into the real-world impact of regenerative practices. We examine how these efforts are addressing climate challenges, strengthening food security, and creating new opportunities across the value chain.
Regenerative agriculture is reshaping the future of fresh produce. This episode explores how farmers, retailers, and global brands are working together to restore soil health, improve resilience, and build a more sustainable—and scalable—food system.

In this milestone episode celebrating six years of the Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly welcomes Rob Austin, CEO of Empower Fresh, for an in-studio conversation about the transformative power of AI and hands-on training in the produce supply chain.
Discover how Empower Fresh University is reshaping team training, driving consistency, and helping retailers reduce shrink with cutting-edge AI tools. Tune in to learn actionable insights on revolutionizing your produce department and why the human touch remains crucial in the era of smart technology.
https://empowerfresh.com/for-retailers#empower-fresh-university

This week, we’re talking Gravenstein apples, a Sonoma County classic that is fading fast.
Up in the Yuba City area, peach orchards - gone!
At the same time, a whole wave of new fruit and berry varieties is coming your way.
And in the bigger picture, restaurants are closing left and right. What is really going on out there?
Plus, seasonal specialties like fiddlehead ferns and baby artichokes.
And a juicy strawberry romance story from Dan’s younger days.
It is all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.
Check out aglifemedia.com today.