Test Kitchen - How Leadership Development Pays Off with Steve Asp (Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Lunds & Byerlys) and Ellen Coatney (Education Coordinator, IDDBA)

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (Test Kitchen), host Kat Shanahan (VP, Marketing & Membership, IDDBA) sits down with Steve Asp (Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Lunds & Byerly's) and Ellen Coatney (Education Coordinator, IDDBA) to unpack how leadership development translates into better communication, stronger teams, and real results on the job.

Steve and Ellen share what they experienced in the IDDBA Leadership Certificate Program, including hands-on exercises that sharpen negotiation skills and build confidence in everyday leadership moments. From the "gas station game" to practical lessons about defining "fair," they explain why it's okay to ask for more, and how preparation and mindset shape outcomes.

They also dig into two big leadership essentials: how to foster innovation through collaborative idea-building, and how to influence without direct authority by tailoring your message to what motivates the person across the table. Along the way, they connect these skills to a broader workforce challenge in fresh: developing people in a way that supports growth, engagement, and retention.

The conversation wraps with a look ahead at upcoming leadership development opportunities through IDDBA and why investing in your people can pay off for both the individual and the organization.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

Want to learn more about the IDDBA Leadership Certificate program and other educational and professional development resources? Head here:
https://www.iddba.org/education

The Dale Carnegie Leadership Excellence Program runs April 7-May 12. To learn more, apply for scholarships for the program, or take next steps, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/education/certifications/dale-carnegie-training

What's In Store - Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel with John Stefanik (Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Ditsch USA)

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (What's in Store), Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with John Stefanik, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ditsch USA, for a lively conversation about pretzel craft, category innovation, and what's next for bakery.

John breaks down what separates a good pretzel from a great one—from authentic dough and the classic caustic bath to the behind-the-scenes time and temperature details that create a truly memorable bite. He also shares why fermentation is one of the most underrated (and most fascinating) parts of the bakery process—where science, chemistry, and artistry all collide.

Looking ahead, John talks about new growth opportunities, including a new facility and a developing R&D lab—plus how his team is thinking about pushing the boundaries of "what a pretzel can be," with plans to bring fresh ideas to #IDDBA2026 in Orlando, June 7-9.

You can check out the Ditsch TikTok that John mentioned @goodbite_de and check out posts with hundreds of thousands of views!

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and membership, visit IDDBA.org.

What's in Store for 2026: Heather Prach and Kat Shanahan on the 2026 Trends & a New Era for What's in Store

For December, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with IDDBA's new VP of Membership and Marketing, Kat Shanahan, to debut the 2026 What's in Store trends—earlier than ever before and now available free to all IDDBA members. Together they walk through five big themes that cut across dairy, deli, and bakery.

Heather and Kat dig into why convenience now has an emotional core, explore how "clean" has elevated from a trend to a baseline expectation, and why the fresh perimeter is so well-positioned to win on simple ingredient decks and transparent labels.

In addition, Kat shares big news about what's ahead for the show and what you can look forward to in 2026. Get ready for more segments like The Executive Aisle, with IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf, as well as new segments for a new year!

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

Check out the What's in Store 2026 Trends Report today!
https://www.iddba.org/education/trainings/whats-in-store

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Trends2026 #ConsumerTrends #FreshPerimeter #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #MealSolutions #CleanLabel #UltraProcessedFoods #HealthyIndulgence #Protein #GutHealth #GlobalFlavors #Sampling #RetailTrends #FoodRetail #Supermarket #Grocery #FoodService #Leadership #Innovation #IDDBA