Recorded live at SWIPE Expo 2026 in Tucson, we sit down with Raquel Espinoza, Chairwoman of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas and founder of Produce House.

In this conversation, Raquel shares perspective on:

• Navigating tariff and duty uncertainty in the tomato industry

• The real impact of market volatility on business owners

• How AI is beginning to influence inspections and operations

• The role of industry associations in supporting members

• Leadership growth, board service, and cultivating teams

From cross-border challenges to developing the next generation of leaders, this episode highlights the conversations shaping produce in the Southwest and beyond.

SWIPE continues to be a platform where education, trade, and collaboration intersect — and Raquel offers insight from both the business and association side.

Recorded at SWIPE in Tucson, this episode of The Fresh CrEd features Ron Lemaire, President of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), in a wide-ranging conversation on trade predictability, USMCA renewal, and the future of the produce industry.

Ron breaks down why the USMCA framework must remain trinational, how trade flows through critical hubs like Nogales and Mexico to serve Canadian consumers year-round, and why uncertainty disproportionately harms small and mid-sized companies across the supply chain.

The conversation also explores:

• Why predictability is essential for business planning

• How trade uncertainty accelerates consolidation

• The role of industry advocacy in shaping policy outcomes

• Why regional shows like SWIPE create space for meaningful, high-signal dialogue

A timely discussion on trade, leadership, and what’s at stake if predictability breaks down.

• Tariffs and operating in an uncertain policy environment
• Why service and information matter more than transactions
• AI as a tool — not a threat — in the workplace
• Leadership, trust, and empowering teams
• Making better decisions in volatile markets

Blue Book Services has been a cornerstone of the produce industry for over a century—but credit reporting is only part of the story.

In this episode of The Fresh CrEd, we sit down with Kirk Soule, CEO of Blue Book Services, and Jason Carty, VP of Sales, to unpack how Blue Book is expanding its role across the supply chain. From new pricing intelligence and weather tools to retailer scorecards, fraud prevention, and the growing role of AI, this conversation highlights how trust and transparency are becoming competitive advantages in today’s market.

Recorded at the IFPA Global Show, this discussion goes beyond the booth to explore what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how the industry can better protect itself while moving forward.

Join The Fresh CrEd at the 2025 Global Produce & Floral Show as we sit down with Jon Brooks (VP of Retail Sales – North America) and Pat Young (Director of Grower Sales) from IFCO to dig into some of the biggest challenges and innovations shaping the fresh supply chain today.

Jon and Pat break down:

• How retailers and growers are navigating labor pressures

• Why reusable containers (RPCs) are gaining momentum across the supply chain

• The rise of automation and how IFCO is preparing distribution centers for the future

• The role of cold chain visibility and RFID in protecting freshness

• What retailers truly value most: freshness, shelf life, and reduced shrink

• New opportunities in field-to-processor programs and value-added packaging

• Global perspectives—from European automation to emerging South American participation

Whether you’re in retail, growing, logistics, or tech, this conversation offers a clear look into where fresh-produce operations are heading and how IFCO is positioning reusable solutions to support a changing industry.

Recorded live at GPFS 2025 in Anaheim.

In this episode of The Fresh CrEd, recorded live at the 2025 IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, we spotlight Digital Nest — a nonprofit workforce hub that’s been creating opportunities for underserved youth for more than a decade.

With centers across Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton, Digital Nest equips young people ages 14–24 with technical and creative skills that open doors to careers in tech, marketing, and beyond.

Their work doesn’t stop at the classroom — they’re also experimenting with how Gen Z connects to food through projects like the “I’d Bite That” social media campaign.

From mentorship to career pipelines, Digital Nest shows what’s possible when access, creativity, and community come together.

👉 Learn more at digitalnest.org

🎧 Listen now to learn how the next generation of leaders is being built in the heart of ag country.

Series support: Wiggins Farms | IFCO | Little Bear Produce | Misionero | SunFed | Born Farms | International Fresh Produce Association

In this episode of The Fresh CrEd, recorded live at the 2025 IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, we sit down with Paul Hardy, CEO of Monterey Mushrooms.

Paul shares a career shaped by international supply chains, data storytelling, and a philosophy of leadership built on systems and trust. From moving across the globe to leading one of America’s largest mushroom producers, he discusses how global experience translates to local leadership, why facts and context matter more than firefighting, and how educating consumers about mushrooms can reduce waste and grow the category.

Whether you’re in the produce business, a leader in any field, or simply curious about the food on your table, Paul’s insights on teamwork, planning, and communication offer value far beyond mushrooms.

🎧 Presented by IFCO.

Series support: Wiggins Farms | IFCO | Little Bear Produce | Misionero | SunFed | Born Farms | IFPA.

In this episode of The Fresh CrEd, recorded live at the 2025 IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, we sit down with Peter Beaullieu, Director of Sourcing for Topco’s West Coast produce division.

From his first job behind a Central Market cheese counter to leading sourcing for one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, Peter’s journey is rooted in flavor, data, and servant leadership. He shares how co-ops give regional retailers the tools to compete, why data only matters when it tells a story, and what it takes to balance quality with value in a shifting consumer market.

We also explore consumer trends, specialty and local produce, and the narrowing gap between “luxury” items and everyday fresh. Whether you’re a produce professional or simply passionate about good food, this conversation offers insights into leadership, team growth, and the future of fresh.

🎧 Presented by Wiggins Farms.

Series support: Wiggins Farms | IFCO | Little Bear Produce | Misionero | SunFed | Born Farms | IFPA.