
Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni
Podkast av David
Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators, the podcast where decades of industry expertise meet the future of the food supply chain. I'm David Maloni, y...
Prøv gratis i 14 dager
Etter prøveperioden kun 99,00 kr / Måned.Avslutt når som helst.
Alle episoder
37 Episoder
The foodservice industry is at a pivotal moment, and understanding consumer behavior is key to staying ahead. In this episode of Farm to Fork: The Innovators, I sit down with Mike Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, to break down the current state of the restaurant and foodservice industries. Mike returns to the show after accurately forecasting last year’s market shifts, and today, he shares his latest insights on consumer spending, inflation, and restaurant performance. With the S&P 500, Bitcoin, and home prices near all-time highs, we discuss how economic factors influence dining trends and whether consumers are feeling more confident in their spending habits. We also take a deep dive into the restaurant industry’s winners and losers, exploring why some brands are thriving while others struggle. Mike highlights the importance of strong operations, value-driven pricing, and the role of digital marketing—especially platforms like TikTok—in driving customer engagement. He also unpacks how major food distributors are evolving to meet industry challenges. Whether you’re in foodservice, distribution, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this episode offers a wealth of insights to help you navigate 2025 and beyond. Connect with David Maloni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]Connect With Mike Halen: https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/insights/podcasts/choppin-it-up/ [https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/insights/podcasts/choppin-it-up/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehalen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehalen] Timestamps 00:00 – Preview 00:08 – The state of the restaurant industry: Winners & losers 00:33 – What’s driving consumer confidence in dining? 01:15 – Restaurant recession in 2024: What happened? 02:58 – Consumer spending trends and the K-shaped economy 04:54 – Why restaurants are the first place consumers cut back 06:27 – The impact of labor shortages on foodservice execution 10:28 – Key takeaways from the ICR Conference: Emerging trends 14:46 – The role of digital marketing & TikTok in restaurant success 19:58 – Economic indicators shaping foodservice in 2025 21:16 – The biggest risk for 2025: Inflation’s lingering impact 25:19 – How Taco Bell’s leadership playbook is reshaping the industry 30:10 – Food distributors’ role in the evolving supply chain 37:41 – The outlook for restaurant pricing, inflation, and consumer behavior 39:01 – Wrapping it up! I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors [https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors]

Welcome to another episode of Farm to Fork: The Innovators! Today we’re diving into the ever-evolving world of foodservice with Mike DiBeneditto, CEO of Golden Waffles. With nearly a century of history behind the brand, Golden Waffles has become a staple in fresh waffle programs globally. Mike’s journey, from his early days in foodservice distribution to leading one of the most unique and successful companies in the industry, offers a wealth of insights on how to stay ahead in the competitive food supply chain landscape. In this episode, we cover critical topics like brand evolution, fostering partnerships between suppliers and distributors, and adapting to consumer trends. Mike shares how Golden Waffles achieves a seamless customer experience through its all-inclusive waffle program and what other suppliers can learn from their approach. Whether you’re in food manufacturing, distribution, or looking to connect directly with consumers, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for thriving in the foodservice industry. David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]Mike DiBeneditto’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-v-dibeneditto-b8584011/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-v-dibeneditto-b8584011/] https://datumfs.com/datum-advisorsTimestamps 00:00 – Preview 01:27 – Mike’s background and journey into the food supply chain industry. 05:48 – Overview of Golden Waffles and their unique all-inclusive waffle program. 12:05 – Challenges in foodservice distribution and solutions for staying ahead. 18:20 – The importance of people in the food supply chain and fostering partnerships. 30:14 – Golden Waffles’ recent rebranding journey and key lessons. 40:06 – Insights on direct-to-consumer marketing strategies. 47:15 – Future trends in foodservice and Golden Waffles’ role in shaping them. 52:34 – Closing thoughts and call to action for viewers. I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors [https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors]

Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators. I’m excited to introduce you to another trailblazer in the world of food—Andy Raabe, CFO Partner at Seaton Hill Partners. With over four decades of involvement in the food supply chain myself, I love sharing the stories of those who are transforming how we produce and serve food. Andy brings a wealth of expertise from his time leading finance and supply chain at established brands like Potbelly and pioneering smaller fast-casual concepts. In our discussion, he reveals how integrating finance with supply chain decisions can streamline operations, improve vendor relationships, and boost profitability for emerging and established brands alike. Together, we dive into critical topics like how to build supply chains from scratch, best practices for fostering collaboration between finance and supply chain teams, and the tremendous value vendors can bring when they become strategic partners. Andy also walks us through the unique perspective a CFO can bring to operational challenges, offering tools and strategies for effective forecasting, budgeting, and tackling supply disruptions. I hope you’ll find our chat both enlightening and practical as we explore the path from farm to fork—and all the innovation that happens in between. Connect with David Maloni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-raabe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-raabe/]https://www.seatonhill.com/ [https://www.seatonhill.com/]Timestamps * 0:00 – Episode Overview * 0:25 – Introducing Guest: Andy’s CFO & Supply Chain Expertise * 0:52 – Andy’s Background: From Engineering to Finance * 1:15 – Joining Potbelly & Building a Finance Function * 3:41 – Transition into Supply Chain & Fixing Core Processes * 7:22 – Low-Hanging Fruit: Price Verification & Inventory Control * 10:57 – Gaining Leadership Experience in Supply Chain * 14:08 – Returning to Finance & Public Company Lessons * 20:46 – Becoming CFO at Wow Bao: Startup & Growth * 25:00 – Solving the “Chicken-and-Egg” Challenge for Emerging Brands * 29:14 – LTO Forecasting & Overcoming the Honeymoon Effect * 34:39 – Supplier Councils: Cost Savings & Innovation * 40:07 – Best Practices: Aligning Finance & Supply Chain * 44:25 – Fractional CFO Model at Seton Hill Partners * 46:44 – Closing Remarks & Final Takeaways I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors [https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors]#Foodservice #RestaurantIndustry #FoodSupplyChain #FinanceAndOperations #EmergingBrands #CFOInsights #SupplyChainManagement #FoodBusiness #FractionalCFO #FoodserviceInnovation

Welcome! Ttoday we’re diving into the intersection of solar energy and agriculture with our guest, Peter Schmitt, the Director of Project Development at U.S. Solar. With decades of experience in the food supply chain, I aim to uncover the transformative strategies shaping how we produce and serve food. Today’s topic, agrivoltaics, is an innovative blend of solar farming and agriculture that promises to reshape how land is used sustainably. In this episode, Peter walks us through the exciting potential of agrivoltaics, from raising sheep beneath solar panels to growing crops under carefully designed solar arrays. We discuss how this approach not only boosts agricultural efficiency but also contributes to energy independence and environmental stewardship. If you’ve ever wondered about the impact of solar energy on farming or how companies like U.S. Solar are leading this revolution, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Connect with David: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]Connect with Peter: Peter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-schmitt-24187645/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-schmitt-24187645/]https://www.us-solar.com/ [https://www.us-solar.com/]Timestamps: 00:00 Farming Meets Solar: Introduction to Agrivoltaics 01:05 Agrivoltaics Explained: Combining Solar Panels with Agriculture 06:00 Solar-Powered Agriculture: The Growth of Solar Energy in the U.S. 13:00 Case Studies in Agrivoltaics: Real-Life Examples of Success 24:00 Soil and Sustainability: Improving Land Health with Solar 35:00 Big River Farms: Providing Land Access to Aspiring Farmers 42:00 Challenges and Opportunities: Scaling Agrivoltaics Nationwide 47:00 The Future of Agrivoltaics: Farming and Energy in 10 Years 48:00 Call to Action: Partner with Datum Advisors for Food Supply Chain Solutions I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors [https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors]

In this episode, I sit down with Francisco Martin-Rayo, the co-founder and CEO of Helios—an innovative AI platform that’s changing the game in agriculture and commodities. Together, we examine the current state of commodity markets, discuss how climate change is reshaping supplies and prices, identify which crops are feeling the greatest impact, and explore actionable strategies for adapting where and how we produce our food. Strap in, hit subscribe, and join me as we harvest progress, forging a more resilient and sustainable future for our global food supply chain. Connect with the Host: David Maloni’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/]Connect with Francisco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-martin-rayo-b95b393/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-martin-rayo-b95b393/]Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Previews 00:01:07 – Introducing Francisco Martin Rayo, Helios’ AI-driven platform, and the role of climate data in predicting agricultural disruptions. 00:03:30 – Addressing rapid climate change, its accelerated impact on agriculture, and the need for more data-driven insights. 00:08:35 – Examining commodity-specific climate influences, including cocoa, citrus, and the nuances of varying yields and quality. 00:12:30 – Highlighting predictive successes in forecasting crop failures, like mango shortages in Peru and Brazil. 00:14:12 – Exploring long-term issues for perennial crops that need certain temperature ranges and cooling hours. 00:16:07 – Discussing consumer confusion, the complexity of sustainable choices, and trade-offs like almond milk’s water footprint. 00:19:05 – Outlining adaptation strategies: diversifying sourcing regions, shifting crop types, and leveraging AI-driven predictions. 00:29:10 – Looking ahead: acknowledging future volatility, the necessity of planning infrastructure changes, and investing in climate intelligence. I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more [https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors]: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors #Agritech #AIinAgriculture #ClimateChange #FoodSupplyChain #SustainableFarming #CropAdaptation #CommodityPrices #DataDrivenFarming #GlobalFoodSecurity #FarmToFork
Tilgjengelig overalt
Lytt til Podimo på telefonen, nettbrettet, datamaskinen eller i bilen!
Et univers av underholdning på lyd
Tusenvis av lydbøker og eksklusive podkaster
Ingen annonser
Ikke kast bort tid på å lytte til annonser når du lytter til Podimos innhold.
Prøv gratis i 14 dager
Etter prøveperioden kun 99,00 kr / Måned.Avslutt når som helst.
Eksklusive podkaster
Uten reklame
Gratis podkaster
Lydbøker
20 timer i måneden