The Fresh CrEd

?? Inspiring the Future of Agriculture: Meet the Watermelon Queens on The Fresh Cred Podcast! ?? ???Kinlyn Hinson, the?South Carolina Watermelon Queen?and a sixth-generation row crop farmer. Kinlyn is passionate about agritourism and has ambitions to run for?#Commissioner of #Agriculture?in #SouthCarolina. Keep an eye out for her name on the ballot in the coming years! ???Tori Hobbs, the?Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen?from Dothan, #Alabama. Tori is pursuing a degree in elementary education with a dream to open her own?farm store?during the summers, combining her love for teaching and agriculture. In this engaging episode, we delve into: ? Their unique journeys to becoming ambassadors for the watermelon industry. ? The importance of supporting local farmers and advocating for the future of agriculture. ? How #education and #community involvement can increase fresh produce consumption. A special shoutout to their respective organizations: ???South Carolina Watermelon Association?- Promoting the watermelon industry and supporting growers across South Carolina. Learn more:?https://scwatermelon.org/ ???Gulf Coast Watermelon Association?- Enhancing the watermelon industry along the Gulf Coast and providing opportunities for young leaders. Find out more:?https://lnkd.in/gJpPRXuE We’d also like to thank the?Wiggins family?and?Jesse James Wiggins?from beautiful Nacogdoches, Texas, for their support of the show! Join us in celebrating these inspiring women who are making a difference in agriculture and their communities. Don’t miss their insightful perspectives on the future of farming and education. #Agriculture #Leadership #WatermelonQueens #FreshProduce #FarmingFuture #TheFreshCredPodcast #SupportLocalFarmers Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung

???New Episode Alert: The Fresh CrEd with Jennie Coleman of Equifruit!??? ???Listen to the episode now:? Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gdmH8xs6 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gP-KbT9S In this episode, we’re thrilled to feature?Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, the bold #Fairtrade brand pushing for?“Global Fairtrade Banana Domination.” ?? Jennie shares her journey from international development to leading a company that’s transforming the banana industry by putting?#BananaJustice?at the forefront. Join us as Jennie dives deep into: ? Why the true cost of bananas goes beyond the price tag ?? ? The impact of fair wages and sustainable practices on farming communities ?? ? How Equifruit is educating retailers and consumers on the power of ethical sourcing ?? Jennie’s vision for a fairer, more sustainable future in agriculture is both inspiring and challenging—don’t miss this conversation if you’re passionate about making a difference in the world of produce. A big thank you to our Title Sponsor, Equifruit, and our Supporting Sponsors: Lakeway Produce, HM Produce, KERN RIDGE GROWERS, JR Imports, SunFed, and IFCO SYSTEMS! Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung Kim Chackal Madison Hopper ???? International Fresh Produce Association

???Changing Mindsets: The Hidden Cost of Cheap Bananas??? Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, reveals the real cost behind those low banana prices. For a century, cheap bananas have been a retail staple, but as Jennie shares, this pricing has hidden consequences—affecting communities, migration patterns, and even retailer profits. ?? In this clip, Jennie calls for a reset: “Take the time to do a reset on your banana program… Partner with a company like Equifruit that has the #credibility to have always done #Fairtrade.” By raising prices to sustainable levels, Equifruit is proving that supporting fair wages doesn’t mean the world stops spinning—the sun still comes out! ?? Join us for the full episode release this #Friday and see why Equifruit is challenging the industry to think differently. Special thanks to?Equifruit, our title sponsor for this episode, for leading the charge in fair trade bananas. ?? ?? Watch the clip now and get ready for Friday’s episode. #Equifruit #Fairtrade #Sustainability #BananaJustice #TheFreshCrEd #GlobalFairtrade Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung Kim Chackal Madison Hopper ???? International Fresh Produce Association

?? In our latest episode, Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, dives into the truth behind #Fairtrade. ?? It’s not a charity—it’s about quality business that ensures farmers get paid fairly while producing top-notch bananas. ?? Jennie shares why Fairtrade is crucial for sustainable production, both socially and environmentally, and how Equifruit is setting a new standard in the banana industry. Tune in #Friday to catch the full episode and hear more about Jennie’s vision for “Global Fairtrade Banana Domination.” Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Equifruit, for making this conversation possible! ?? ?? Watch the clip now and join us for the full episode release on Friday. hashtag #Equifruit #Fairtrade #Sustainability #ProduceIndustry #BananaJustice #TheFreshCrEd #GlobalFairtrade Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung Kim Chackal Madison Hopper ???? International Fresh Produce Association

?? New Episode Alert! ?? It's here.. it's finally here! The Fresh CrEd just dropped an episode packed with insights straight from the Global Produce & Floral Show! We sat down with Yan Branco, Sobeys’ Lead of Produce Sourcing Innovation, to dive into the #challenges and future of produce. From adopting #AI to understanding the real pace of #innovation, Yan reveals why a “marathon mindset” is crucial in the world of farming and produce. Tune in to hear Yan’s perspective on: ? Transforming the industry with vertical farming and AI ? Bridging tradition with technology in agriculture ? Why retailers need to think long-term for real impact Shoutout to our title sponsor: Lakeway Produce Their support, alongside HM Produce, KERN RIDGE GROWERS, Equifruit, JR Imports, SunFed, and IFCO SYSTEMS made this episode & series possible. ?? Listen now and join the conversation on how produce is evolving: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gKiN_tpD Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gdjeHa_Z YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g2eFrKj6 Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung Jean-Francois (JF) Delorme Jennie Coleman Karen Caplan Ramon Mery Kim Chackal Madison Hopper ???? Tom Coleman International Fresh Produce Association #Innovation #ProduceIndustry #Agriculture #TechInAg #TheFreshCrEd #VerticalFarming #FoodFuture

Yan Branco, Lead Produce Sourcing Innovation at Sobeys, shares his take on why adopting new tech in produce is a #marathon, not a #sprint. Join us Friday for the full episode, as he unpacks the challenges of adopting new tech and the cautious approach needed when selecting partners without established roots in the business. A huge shoutout to this episode's Title Sponsor: Lakeway Produce - Fresh From the Farm https://lnkd.in/g6AKpnGB Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Jean-Francois (JF) Delorme Mason Hartung International Fresh Produce Association

In this special series, Ed Bertaud & Craig Slate sit down with some of the most influential voices in the field, uncovering not only insights on AI in agriculture, sustainability, and innovation but also the personal journeys and stories of these prominent individuals. A huge thank you to our guests Yan Branco, Karen Caplan, Cathy Burns, Tori Hobbs & Kinlyn Hinson, and Jennie Coleman for sharing their unique backgrounds, journeys, and perspectives with us. Special shoutout to our sponsors – Lakeway Produce, HM Produce, KERN RIDGE GROWERS, Equifruit, JR Imports, SunFed, and IFCO SYSTEMS – whose support made this series possible. ?? Check out the intro video to get a taste of what’s in store (much less hypebeast.. we promise) and follow along as we release each episode, every Friday, highlighting the people and ideas shaping the future of the produce industry! #TheFreshCrEd #GlobalProduceShow #ProduceIndustry #IndustryInnovation #AgricultureInsights #BehindTheScenes

Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success ?? | Yan Branco’s Journey How does failure shape resilience and fuel innovation in the produce industry? In our latest clip, Yan Branco, Lead Produce Sourcing Innovation at Sobeys, opens up about the importance of #failure, recalibration, and staying driven in the face of challenges. ?? Highlights From the Episode: ? Yan’s unique journey from fieldwork to industry leadership ? How embracing failure drives #success in innovation ? The evolving role of AI and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in reshaping the produce industry This is just a taste of what’s to come. The full episode drops #Friday, and Yan will share deeper insights on the future of agriculture, technology, and industry collaboration. Watch the clip and join us for more on Friday. Don’t miss these powerful insights into the future of produce innovation! A huge shoutout to this episode's Title Sponsor: Lakeway Produce - Fresh From the Farm https://lnkd.in/gYa8_CUn Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Jean-Francois (JF) Delorme Mason Hartung International Fresh Produce Association Karen Caplan Jennie Coleman Ramon Mery #AgricultureInnovation #ProduceIndustry #AIinAgriculture #ControlledEnvironmentAgriculture #Resilience #Podcast #LeadershipJourney #GPFS2024

?? Exclusive: Get to know AZ Congressman Ruben Gallego We’re excited to share a compelling excerpt from our recent interview with AZ Congressman Ruben Gallego. In this powerful clip, Congressman Gallego opens up about his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to serving in the U.S. Congress. ??Catch the FULL Episode below: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gy4Cx-sG Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gmewTc-9 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gMe7A2N5 Highlights: ? Growing up as the son of immigrants from Colombia and Mexico. ? Overcoming significant economic hardships and challenges. ? His transformative experience serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. ? How his personal struggles fueled his passion for public service and helping veterans. This is a story of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of the American dream. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or insight into the experiences that shape our leaders, this clip is a must-watch. Please like, comment, and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear your reflections! Craig Slate Ed Bertaud Mason Hartung Mark Shoals #Inspiration #Leadership #RubenGallego #Veterans #AmericanDream #Podcast #Arizona #Congressman