Greg Corsaro's guest appearances

Greg Corsaro

The Produce Moms Podcast

Fresh Takes On Tech

Nick Carter

Kara Goldin

Dana Gunders

Tonya Antle

Mike O'Brien

Beth Miller

Corteva Agriscience

Jennifer Wiese

LIsa Helfman

Chris Sutton

Tony Stewart

Marc Oshima

James Lake

Frank Muir

Joy Bauer

OwlTail

Jim Reynolds

In this episode dives we dive deep into the ever-evolving produce industry, uncovering the secrets to success of two leading companies and the innovative trends driving the future of fresh food. We explore the challenges of labor constraints and inflation, and how companies like Fresh Edge and Pacific Coast Fruit Company have adapted to stay ahead. We discuss the importance of customer relationships, the use of technology and data analytics, and the rise of prepared foods and value-added produce. With expert insights from industry leaders, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the produce industry.Key Takeaways- How Fresh Edge and Pacific Coast Fruit Company have overcome industry changes- Understand the shift from 80-90% art to 65% science and 35% art in the produce industry- How data analytics, automation, and prepared foods are driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness- Why companies are balancing employee needs with profitability- How loyalty and consolidation have become key parts of doing business in the produce industryShareable Quotes“Online shopping that occurs at a grocery store where people shop online and have delivered, the grocery store still needs the product. So we still need to supply from that regard. As a matter of fact, I think our value to our grocery store customers in our retail segment has increased through online shopping because the customer who buys online from a grocery store needs to trust the quality and freshness of that product.”“So if you can imagine if you send a tractor trailer full of produce to a grocery store that costs so much, if you send a straight truck with ten restaurant orders to a neighborhood with restaurants that's going to cost more than your full tractor trailer going on the grocery because you got all these stops, all these cases delivering up and down outside of the truck.”“When you look back, you realize it it's just been an incredible evolution of change for the industry in general. There's been a lot of cleaning out. I would think of the industry. Folks who didn't do their business well or didn't understand how to do their business, unfortunately weren't able to bear the tide and challenges that, of course, COVID, and then the subsequent challenges have presented from suppliers to distributors to end users, everyone has faced that out.” Guest ResourcesGreg Corsaro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-corsaro-989557141/FreshEdge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshedge/FreshEdge: https://www.freshedgefoods.com/Jim Reynolds on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-reynolds-60351b4/Pacific Coast Fruit Company on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-coast-fruit-company/Pacific Coast Fruit Company: https://www.pcfruit.com/Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

In this episode dives we dive deep into the ever-evolving produce industry, uncovering the secrets to success of two leading companies and the innovative trends driving the future of fresh food. We explore the challenges of labor constraints and inflation, and how companies like Fresh Edge and Pacific Coast Fruit Company have adapted to stay ahead. We discuss the importance of customer relationships, the use of technology and data analytics, and the rise of prepared foods and value-added produce. With expert insights from industry leaders, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the produce industry.<h2>Key Takeaways</h2>- How Fresh Edge and Pacific Coast Fruit Company have overcome industry changes- Understand the shift from 80-90% art to 65% science and 35% art in the produce industry- How data analytics, automation, and prepared foods are driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness- Why companies are balancing employee needs with profitability- How loyalty and consolidation have become key parts of doing business in the produce industry<h2>Shareable Quotes</h2>“Online shopping that occurs at a grocery store where people shop online and have delivered, the grocery store still needs the product. So we still need to supply from that regard. As a matter of fact, I think our value to our grocery store customers in our retail segment has increased through online shopping because the customer who buys online from a grocery store needs to trust the quality and freshness of that product.”“So if you can imagine if you send a tractor trailer full of produce to a grocery store that costs so much, if you send a straight truck with ten restaurant orders to a neighborhood with restaurants that's going to cost more than your full tractor trailer going on the grocery because you got all these stops, all these cases delivering up and down outside of the truck.”“When you look back, you realize it it's just been an incredible evolution of change for the industry in general. There's been a lot of cleaning out. I would think of the industry. Folks who didn't do their business well or didn't understand how to do their business, unfortunately weren't able to bear the tide and challenges that, of course, COVID, and then the subsequent challenges have presented from suppliers to distributors to end users, everyone has faced that out.” <h2>Guest Resources</h2>Greg Corsaro on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-corsaro-989557141/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-corsaro-989557141/</a>FreshEdge on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshedge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshedge/</a>FreshEdge: <a href="https://www.freshedgefoods.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.freshedgefoods.com/</a>Jim Reynolds on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-reynolds-60351b4/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-reynolds-60351b4/</a>Pacific Coast Fruit Company on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-coast-fruit-company/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-coast-fruit-company/</a>Pacific Coast Fruit Company: <a href="https://www.pcfruit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.pcfruit.com/</a><h2>Show Links</h2>International Fresh Produce Association - <a href="https://www.freshproduce.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.freshproduce.com/</a>Fresh Takes on Tech - <a href="https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/</a>Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/</a>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/</a>LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/</a>

72: Fresh Produce, Fresh Ideas: Exploring the Cutting-Edge World of Last Mile Distribution with Greg Corsaro & Jim Reynolds

Michael Grinstead

“Restaurants are not just good for business, but good for life.”  Lori Taylor (19:54)   As a champion of the fresh produce industry, The Produce Moms has made it a top priority to cover the recent pandemic, and its effects on the produce industry, from the front lines.    We have so many friends and partnerships who have been directly affected by the recent events, and we have watched in awe as they have regrouped, pivoted, and continued to do their best to supply us with fresh, safe produce.    Fresh Edge, a longtime friend of The Produce Moms, is a family of fresh food distributors. This includes Indianapolis Fruit, which wholesale distribution to retailers, Piazza Produce and Get Fresh, both of which supply restaurants and the food service sector (hotels, event centers, retirement homes, etc.).    Greg Corsaro, President and COO of Fresh Edge, and Michael Grinstead, General Manager of Get Fresh, gave some timely insight on how they are continually innovating and doing their best to keep the produce industry thriving during such uncertain times.    The United Fresh Produce Excellence in Food Service Award Program   This month Fresh Edge, in partnership with the United Fresh Produce Association, honored nine of the country’s most innovative chefs and food services professionals as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Food Service Award Program.    The profession of a chef is, perhaps, one of the most taxing career choices. It is one that comes with 20 hour days, high-stress environments, and adapting to an environment that is always changing.    This year the category of Supermarkets and Retail Operators has been added to the award program. While most of the chefs honored work in a traditional environment, grocery store prepared food sections in certain stores rival those of restaurants.    Because of the current events, there will be no in person recognition for these chefs. However, they are being honored all summer long in a FREE virtual expo,  United Fresh 2020. This is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the nominees and learn more about Fresh Edge.   Trucks Full of Produce with No Destination   The memory of the day life as we knew it came screeching to a halt is still fresh in the minds of most. Most of us quickly realize that with the closure of schools, restaurants, and hotels the produce industry was direly affected.    What most probably realize is the abrupt nature of these decisions were just as abrupt for the produce industry as they were for us.    Billions of dollars of perishable produce were sitting in warehouses or riding in trucks enroute to destinations. Trucks full of produce that no longer had a place to go.    As orders were cancelled and food banks were overwhelmed by produce suppliers across the nation trying to make the best of a horrendous situation, Greg shared that they tried to donate as much as possible, but the waste of so much produce was probably as devastating as the loss of revenue going forward.    “Throughout this whole pandemic, with the emphasis placed on proper hygiene and sanitation measures… we haven’t had to alter our practices.” - Greg Corsaro. (7:20)    One encouraging aspect of all of this for Fresh Edge has been to notice that in proper hygiene and sanitation measures, they haven’t had to alter their practices in food handling. They have been, and still are, an incredible source of safe fresh produce.    Now, as our economy begins to reopen, growers still aren’t sure what to plan for. The world is far from “business as usual,” and Greg joked that it feels much like the Jelly of the Month club from the cult classic Christmas film, National Lampoons’ Christmas Vacation. It’s the “gift that keeps on giving.”    Amidst so much uncertainty, one thing remains.    “Food security is national security… we have to keep food moving in this country.” - Lori Taylor. (6:54)    The produce industry must keep food moving.    Necessity is the Mother of Invention   It has been amazing to see how different links of the supply chain have gotten creative to continue to provide produce to customers.   From the moment the crisis unfolded, Fresh Edge began working hard to find a home for their produce supply. In the days after businesses began shutting down, they donated to employees, food banks, agencies, and began seeking out alternative revenue sources.    One of the ways they have continued to supply produce is through their pop up markets in the Indianapolis area! Customers can pre-order from an array of boxes - fruit, vegetable, protein. Trucks are parked in a centralized location and customers can then simply drive up and pick up their order.    “A lot of peers in the food service industry have had amazing innovation out of absolute desire just to survive.”  - Michael Grinstead. (15:32)    Are meal prep boxes, pop up markets, and simplified menus here to stay?    For Fresh Edge, it’s too difficult to tell right now what will stick around on the other side of present necessities. For some, the success of these new business strategies will become foundational pillars of a new business model to survive the new normal.    The produce industry is a resilient community who is fighting hard to remain strong, solvent, and able to provide YOU with fresh produce. They are depending on you.    How can you help?    The best way for you to do your part is to continue supporting the produce industry. Keep buying and eating your fruits and vegetables, and encourage friends and family to do the same.    We’ll get through this together.     How to get involved  Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!  Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.  Gain FREE access to United Fresh 2020, a live expo bringing people together to learn, to create value, and build our future together. Learn more about the incredible Fresh Edge family.     If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

“Restaurants are not just good for business, but good for life.” Lori Taylor (19:54) As a champion of the fresh produce industry, The Produce Moms has made it a top priority to cover the recent pandemic, and its effects on the produce industry, from the front lines.  We have so many friends and partnerships who have been directly affected by the recent events, and we have watched in awe as they have regrouped, pivoted, and continued to do their best to supply us with fresh, safe produce.  Fresh Edge, a longtime friend of The Produce Moms, is a family of fresh food distributors. This includes Indianapolis Fruit, which wholesale distribution to retailers, Piazza Produce and Get Fresh, both of which supply restaurants and the food service sector (hotels, event centers, retirement homes, etc.).  Greg Corsaro, President and COO of Fresh Edge, and Michael Grinstead, General Manager of Get Fresh, gave some timely insight on how they are continually innovating and doing their best to keep the produce industry thriving during such uncertain times.  The United Fresh Produce Excellence in Food Service Award Program This month Fresh Edge, in partnership with the United Fresh Produce Association, honored nine of the country’s most innovative chefs and food services professionals as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Food Service Award Program.  The profession of a chef is, perhaps, one of the most taxing career choices. It is one that comes with 20 hour days, high-stress environments, and adapting to an environment that is always changing.  This year the category of Supermarkets and Retail Operators has been added to the award program. While most of the chefs honored work in a traditional environment, grocery store prepared food sections in certain stores rival those of restaurants.  Because of the current events, there will be no in person recognition for these chefs. However, they are being honored all summer long in a FREE virtual expo, <a href="https://www.unitedfreshlive.org/uf20/Public/Content.aspx?ID=5084&amp;sortMenu=106000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> United Fresh 2020</a>. This is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the nominees and learn more about Fresh Edge. Trucks Full of Produce with No Destination The memory of the day life as we knew it came screeching to a halt is still fresh in the minds of most. Most of us quickly realize that with the closure of schools, restaurants, and hotels the produce industry was direly affected.  What most probably realize is the abrupt nature of these decisions were just as abrupt for the produce industry as they were for us.  Billions of dollars of perishable produce were sitting in warehouses or riding in trucks enroute to destinations. Trucks full of produce that no longer had a place to go.  As orders were cancelled and food banks were overwhelmed by produce suppliers across the nation trying to make the best of a horrendous situation, Greg shared that they tried to donate as much as possible, but the waste of so much produce was probably as devastating as the loss of revenue going forward.  “Throughout this whole pandemic, with the emphasis placed on proper hygiene and sanitation measures… we haven’t had to alter our practices.” - Greg Corsaro. (7:20)  One encouraging aspect of all of this for Fresh Edge has been to notice that in proper hygiene and sanitation measures, they haven’t had to alter their practices in food handling. They have been, and still are, an incredible source of safe fresh produce.  Now, as our economy begins to reopen, growers still aren’t sure what to plan for. The world is far from “business as usual,” and Greg joked that it feels much like the Jelly of the Month club from the cult classic Christmas film, National Lampoons’ Christmas Vacation. It’s the “gift that keeps on giving.”  Amidst so much uncertainty, one thing remains.  “Food security is national security… we have to keep food moving in this country.” - Lori Taylor. (6:54) The produce industry must keep food moving.  Necessity is the Mother of Invention It has been amazing to see how different links of the supply chain have gotten creative to continue to provide produce to customers. From the moment the crisis unfolded, Fresh Edge began working hard to find a home for their produce supply. In the days after businesses began shutting down, they donated to employees, food banks, agencies, and began seeking out alternative revenue sources.  One of the ways they have continued to supply produce is through their pop up markets in the Indianapolis area! Customers can pre-order from an array of boxes - fruit, vegetable, protein. Trucks are parked in a centralized location and customers can then simply drive up and pick up their order.  “A lot of peers in the food service industry have had amazing innovation out of absolute desire just to survive.”  - Michael Grinstead. (15:32)  Are meal prep boxes, pop up markets, and simplified menus here to stay?  For Fresh Edge, it’s too difficult to tell right now what will stick around on the other side of present necessities. For some, the success of these new business strategies will become foundational pillars of a new business model to survive the new normal.  The produce industry is a resilient community who is fighting hard to remain strong, solvent, and able to provide YOU with fresh produce. They are depending on you.  How can you help?  The best way for you to do your part is to continue supporting the produce industry. Keep buying and eating your fruits and vegetables, and encourage friends and family to do the same.  We’ll get through this together.   How to get involved <ul> <li>Join The Produce Moms Group on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/316715662104709/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and continue the discussion every week! </li> <li>Reach out to us - we’d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more <a>here</a>. </li> <li>Gain FREE access to <a href="http://unitedfreshlive.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">United Fresh 2020</a>, a live expo bringing people together to learn, to create value, and build our future together.</li> <li><a href="http://www.freshedgefoods.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about the incredible Fresh Edge family. </li> </ul> If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

EP103: The Creative Innovations of Fresh Edge Amidst COVID-19 with Greg Corsaro, President and COO of Fresh Edge, and Michael Grinstead, General Manager of Get Fresh