Listening to podcasts is now such a widespread habit, it’s become yet another mainstream way to consume media.

If you don’t have a few favorite shows in your repertoire, it’s time to get on that. Consider it a way to enhance the soundtrack of your daily walks, runs, laundry, cooking, driving commute. Listen and learn while you do whatever you gotta do anyway.

Might I suggest our produce podcast?

“Tip of the Iceberg” features conversations between members of the fresh produce industry and the editors of trade publications The Packer and PMG. Topics include current events and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges for different segments of the industry today, including growers, marketers, wholesalers, foodservice operators, retailers and more. We’d also like to thank our partners Equitable Food Initiative and ZAG Technical Services for joining us in this effort.

These are the most downloaded episodes, in descending order of most popular, in the last 12 months of the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast. Take a listen and hear why.

1. What labor shortage? How this onion grower does it

Nov. 15, 2022

Jessica Pedroza, office and human resources manager of Pacific Agra Farms in Walla Walla, Wash., shares that although it’s a short sweet-onion growing season of only 2½ months, they see many employees return each year and must stop taking applications because they get more than they could possibly need — while many of companies nationwide have experienced the pain of labor shortages the last couple years. This episode is conducted by Equitable Food Initiative and is about driving worker morale and engagement by building personal relationships. With employees, Pedroza starts from a place of respect and works on building relationships. This approach might sound simple, but it’s not easy. Maintaining real relationships takes dedicated time and consistency. But kindness and respect can make a difference in staff satisfaction and performance, company culture, and ultimately — the bottom line. Listen.

2. Kroger’s data-science company on shopper personalization

March 30, 2023

How do you use shopper data to personalize the shopping trip, making it a better experience for your customer and a more profitable experience for your business? Kroger's retail data-science, insights and media company, called 84.51°, has been studying questions like this one. Becky Eldredge, vice president of commercial customer media and loyalty at 84.51°, has some answers. Expect to learn: what’s worth investing in, where to collect the data, and key moments to reach consumers. Listen.

3. Where CEA is headed, says Bowery Farming’s Katie Seawell

Sept. 20, 2022

In this episode, we chat with Katie Seawell, chief commercial officer of Bowery Farming based in New York City. She dives deep into where high-tech, indoor farming is headed and what it means for retailers and shoppers. An indoor vertical hydroponic farm company, Bowery is expanding locations, expanding varieties of produce and categories of produce — getting into fruit. Learn how the company expands access while balancing it with the desire for premium experiences, and hear about future strategies, where the CEA Food Safety Coalition is headed, and how all this fits into what Generation Z and millennial shoppers want. Listen.

4. Why this Food Lion guy is one of the nation’s top produce managers

Dec. 16, 2022

Maybe you think you know what makes a good supermarket produce manager. Well, let’s see if your preconceived notions match the reality of one winner in a nationwide contest of the best. This episode spotlights an award-winning produce manager. Chris Jorgensen, a 23-year veteran of Food Lion, was one of only 25 winners in International Fresh Produce Association’s 2022 Retail Produce Manager Awards. Considering there are more than 1,000 produce managers in Food Lion stores alone, that’s a small number. Let’s hear his story, what he does and what he expects for the future, plus produce department tips. Listen.

5. UNFI invites this vertical indoor farm at its distribution centers

Nov. 29, 2022

They’re calling it co-location, and it means Square Roots lettuces and herbs will be much, much closer to retail customers — significantly shortening the supply chain. Providence, R.I.-based United Natural Foods Inc. and New York-based indoor grower Square Roots have agreed to co-locate Square Roots’ indoor farms on-site at select UNFI distribution centers. The first Square Roots farm, about 20,000 square feet, was at UNFI’s Prescott, Wis., facility. Listen to executives from both companies share how and why this partnership came about, its benefits and the future. Listen.

6. How Homegrown Organics and AgriCare (realistically) became more sustainable

Nov. 29, 2022

Sure, sustainability matters. But how do you make these changes amid all the economic pressures companies face? Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms, and Gunnar Avinelis, CEO of AgriCare, a sister company of Homegrown, share that other produce companies and retailers should think in small, tangible steps and about what fits and makes an impact for the operation. Listen to two company leaders share their experiences and advice. Listen.

7. Live, shoppable videos — for grocers? Yes, it’s a thing

May 3, 2023

Learn how an award-winning partnership between Firework and The Fresh Market is inspiring shoppers to buy produce and other grocery ingredients while — and after — attending live virtual cooking events where they can join the conversation. Listen to Jason Holland, chief business officer of Firework, a video commerce company. The Fresh Market offers brands the opportunity to run sponsored video ads across its ongoing livestream series, which features content like holiday meal prep tutorials and chef-developed recipes that are already enjoying extremely high engagement rates. Listen.

8. The Whole Foods Market deal with this indoor, vertical farm greens brand

Nov. 8, 2022

This episode is about a big retail win for AeroFarms. (Hint, it has to do with Whole Foods Market.) The company is part of the growing sector of high-tech, indoor agriculture companies. With AeroFarms, it’s never just one thing though. You’ll learn about USDA partnerships, research, solving the world’s problems, and what’s happening in Abu Dhabi, in public schools, at celebrity restaurants, and with Tom Stenzel. It’s just so much. Listen.

9. Why Bonduelle Fresh Americas hires chronically underemployed people

July 19, 2023

Learn in this EFI-partnered episode why one multinational produce company slashed the requirement of drug screenings and background checks, hiring chronically underemployed people — all ways that Bonduelle Fresh Americas (home of the Ready Pac Bistro brand) earned B Corp Certification to become a profitable “Benefit for All” company that consumers can trust. What did it take to do this? Listen.

10. How does The Fresh Market train its personal e-commerce shoppers?

March 7, 2023

Gerrick Polinsky, e-commerce manager of merchandising and operations at The Fresh Market, shares how his company trains its personal shoppers for online orders. This specialty grocery retailer operates 159 locations in 22 states. Polinsky shares how The Fresh Market handles its digital shopper program and ensures the people picking the consumer’s produce order know what to do. Listen.