Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork
Welcome to Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork, a bite-sized podcast discussing the latest trends and technology in the food and supplements industries, featuring conversations with regulatory experts, quality and safety champions, and thought leaders across the industry. Together, we are on a mission to change the food and dietary supplement industry for the better. In short snippets, guests will discuss a range of topics, from regulatory compliance to sustainable operations to food traceability and transparency along the global supply chain. To learn more about Trustwell
All episodes(43)
- StandardSummaries onlySecret Ingredient: How Reser’s Fine Foods Achieved 99% Supplier Compliance
Published Aug 5, 2025
Secret IngredientTechnology and trust are playing an increasingly important role in shaping how food safety is managed today. In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams sits down with Laura McCready, Director of Food Safety and Policy at Reser’s Fine Foods, to unpack the evolving landscape of traceability, supplier relationships, and the cultural mindset needed to support food safety at scale. With a global footprint and years of experience, Laura shares how orga
- StandardSummaries onlyReal-Time Food Safety: How AI is Transforming Airport Dining Operations
Published Jul 22, 2025
Airport food safety is no easy task—it demands speed, precision, and consistency across a wide range of operations and touchpoints. In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams sits down with Arahmelle Tan, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics, and Airomo Russel, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at OTG Management. Together, they explore how to maintain high food safety and quality standards in one of the most fast-paced
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Truth About Plant-Based Food: Why Europe Is 5 Years Ahead of the US
Published Jul 8, 2025
Plant-based proteins have come a long way from being niche products to becoming viable, mainstream alternatives. This transformation is being shaped by both advancing technologies and shifting consumer expectations around sustainability, health, and taste.In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams sits down with Danny O'Malley, President and Founder of Before the Butcher, to explore how plant-based protein innovation is reshaping the food industr
- StandardSummaries onlyWhy Traditional Customer Data Is Dead—The New Playbook for Retail Success with Russ Hawkins
Published Jun 24, 2025
Russ HawkinsOn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, Lydia Adams sits down with Russ Hawkins, President and CEO of Agilence Inc., to explore how data analytics and AI are reshaping the way restaurants and retailers operate. Russ shares how businesses are turning massive amounts of data into clear, actionable insights that drive better decision-making across the board—from improving customer experiences to tightening up operational efficiency.🌱 Introducing AskReg by Trustw
- StandardSummaries onlyThe 5-Step Food Safety Framework That's Transforming State Garden with Dinesh Babu
Published Jun 10, 2025
Dinesh BabuBuilding a strong food safety culture requires deep organizational commitment and the systematic implementation of best practices across every level of operations. In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams is joined by Dinesh Babu, Vice President of Quality and Food Safety at State Garden, for an in-depth discussion on comprehensive strategies for food safety, regulatory compliance, and cultivating a robust safety culture within large-scale food
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Natural Mineral That Could Kill Plastic Food Packaging Forever
Published May 27, 2025
What if you could extend food shelf life while also reducing plastic waste? In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams sits down with Johnathan Raineau, President of Copperprotek USA, to discuss how copper-based antimicrobial technology is transforming the future of food packaging. Learn how this FDA-approved innovation uses natural copper minerals to safely extend shelf life by up to 40%, while potentially cutting the number of plastic layers in
- StandardSummaries onlyHow to Build an Unshakable Food Safety Culture Without Perfect Systems with Dom Mitial
Published May 13, 2025
Dom MitialIn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams sits down with Dom Mitial, VP of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory at Goldbergs Group, to discuss how to build a strong food safety culture while driving business growth. Dom shares practical strategies for fostering cross-functional collaboration, gaining executive buy-in, and leading transformational food safety teams. The conversation explores actionable insights on balancing compliance with busine
- StandardSummaries onlyThe AI Revolution in Food Safety: Why 2025 Will Change Everything | Steve Warwick
Published Apr 29, 2025
Steve WarwickIn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams interviews Steve Warwick, Head of Technical at Bulk, discussing the evolution of food safety practices, allergen management, and the impact of e-commerce on quality control in the food industry. The conversation covers the importance of building robust HACCP systems as the foundation of effective food safety management and emphasizes why a calm, level-headed approach is crucial for crisis management in f
- StandardSummaries onlyWhy 90% of Companies Miss Critical Risks with Sara Mortimore
Published Apr 15, 2025
Sara MortimoreIn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams speaks with Sara Mortimore, former VP of Global Food Safety and Compliance at Walmart, about reshaping food safety culture and establishing robust quality systems across global supply chains. Their discussion centers on the necessity of harmonizing local expertise with universal standards in worldwide food safety protocols and addresses the critical gap between data collection and actionable insights. Li
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Truth About Food Safety Culture: What’s Holding Companies Back? (with Jeremy Schneider)
Published Apr 1, 2025
In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, Lydia Adams speaks with Jeremy Schneider, a seasoned food safety and quality assurance expert and the President/Owner of Schneider Food Safety Services. With over fifteen years of experience, Jeremy discusses the significance of foundational food safety practices, the necessity of integrating food safety into a company's overall culture, and key challenges facing the food industry today, including labor, food costs, and
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Food Data Problem No One's Talking About, with Steven Ross Glass of Just Eat Takeaway
Published Mar 18, 2025
In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, Lydia Adams speaks with Steven Ross Glass, a chartered environmental health practitioner and Global Food and Product Safety Director at JustEatTakeaway.com. Drawing from his journey from government inspector to tech industry leader, Steven discusses how technology is transforming food safety, particularly in the e-commerce space.💡 Our free webinar: A Fresh Take on Traceability is happening March 27th, and we’re breaking
- StandardSummaries onlyThe 3 P’s of Food Safety - What You’re Missing with Sharon Beals
Published Mar 4, 2025
Sharon BealsIn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, Lydia Adams speaks with Sharon Beals, a food safety and regulatory executive at Beacon Point Labs, about the evolving landscape of food safety practices. Drawing from her four decades of experience, Sharon discusses how food safety approaches have transformed through enhanced detection methods, improved controls, and a deeper understanding of pathogen behavior.Sharon emphasizes that food safety challenges aren't limited
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Key to Strong Food Safety Culture
Published Feb 18, 2025
In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams welcomes Michael Ciepiela, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at The Spice Lab. Together, they:Explore Michael's journey into food safety, from his biology degree to climbing the corporate ladder through roles at major companies like Taylor Farms and Kraft HeinzExplore the fundamentals of building a strong food safety culture, highlighting the importance of being present on the shop floor and
- StandardSummaries onlyTrends vs Fads: How Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Jamie Oliver Approach Food Innovation with Lisa Harris and Alex Hayes
Published Feb 4, 2025
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams speaks with Lisa Harris and Alex Hayes about their journey from food journalism and product development to founding Harris and Hayes, a leading food consultancy firm. Drawing from their extensive experience with major brands like Jamie Oliver, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury's, they discuss how sustainability has evolved from an afterthought to a core consideration in food innovation.Lisa and Alex explain their approach to trend analysis, distinguish
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Future of Restaurant Delivery with Meredith Sandland
Published Jan 21, 2025
Meredith SandlandIn this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams speaks with Meredith Sandland about transforming restaurant delivery through technology and dedicated delivery fleets. Drawing from her experience at Taco Bell, Kitchen United, and now as CEO of Empowered Delivery, Meredith explains why the current third-party delivery model creates food safety risks and quality challenges.Meredith discusses how restaurants spend significant resources on food safety throughout their supply chain but lose control at
- StandardSummaries onlyFuture Trends in Food Safety with Brando Tijerina of Taco John's
Published Jan 7, 2025
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, host Lydia Adams welcomes Brando Tijerina, the Director of Quality Assurance, Commercialization, and Food Safety at Taco John's International. With over a decade of experience in the food industry, Brando shares his insights on maintaining high food safety standards while driving innovation in a competitive market.Together, they:Explore Brando's journey in food safety, showcasing his vast experience in quality assurance and commercialization across a range of r
- StandardSummaries onlyHow Predictive Analytics Will Transform Food Safety with Dr. Vera Petrova Dickinson
Published Dec 10, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Dr. Vera Petrova Dickinson about her journey from food microbiologist to tech entrepreneur. After two decades in corporate food safety roles, Dr. Vera founded Innova-Q to address the industry's reactive approach to quality management through AI-powered solutions.Dr. Vera explains how her experience at major food companies revealed universal challenges with outdated technologies and reactive processes. She describes Innova-Q's mission to c
- StandardSummaries onlyBridging Restaurants and Food Banks: Andrew Glantz on Supply Chain Impact
Published Nov 26, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Andrew Glantz, who shares how GiftAMeal emerged from his desire to combine restaurant marketing with social impact. Drawing inspiration from successful "buy one, give one" models and social media trends, GiftAMeal enables restaurant customers to trigger meal donations by simply taking photos of their food.Andrew discusses how the platform benefits restaurants through increased customer engagement and loyalty, with GiftAMeal users returnin
- StandardSummaries onlyClimate Change and AI in Agricultural Supply Chains with Francisco Martin-Rayo
Published Nov 12, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO of Helios, about the intersection of AI, climate change, and agricultural supply chains. Francisco shares how his unique background in digital transformation and food importing led to creating Helios, a platform that uses AI to predict agricultural disruptions.The conversation explores how Helios analyzes climate data across 14 million global hexagons to create detailed risk assessments for specific crops and re
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Future of Digital Food Safety Management with Eric Moore
Published Oct 29, 2024
Eric MooreIn this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams speaks with Eric Moore about the evolution of digital food safety management systems. Eric shares his unexpected journey into food safety, beginning in the early 2000s when he transitioned from hospitality management to becoming a designated food safety professional at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.Eric discusses the significant changes in food safety technology over the past two decades, particularly the decreasing costs of digital tools and t
- StandardSummaries onlyBuilding Trust Through Technology: Chris Latta's Vision for Food Safety
Published Oct 15, 2024
Building Trust Through TechnologyJoin Lydia Adams as she speaks with Chris Latta, Director of Business Development at Kwik Lok, about the evolving landscape of food traceability and transparency. With over 15 years of experience in global sales, marketing, sustainability, and industrial design, Chris brings a unique perspective to the conversation.Chris discusses Kwik Lok's 70-year history in the food packaging industry and their recent focus on incorporating traceability features into their products. He explains how consumer d
- StandardSummaries onlyFood Safety Culture and Sustainability: Insights from Steven Foster
Published Oct 1, 2024
Join Lydia Adams on Food Tech Talk as she interviews Steven Foster, a seasoned expert in food safety and quality assurance with over 30 years of experience in the food industry. Currently serving as the VP of Food Safety and Quality at Wholesale Produce Supply, Steven shares his journey and the defining moments that shaped his approach to food safety.Throughout the episode, Steven emphasizes the importance of transforming food safety from a set of regulations to an integral part of organizationa
- StandardSummaries onlyChemistry to Quality: From Dr. Stephen Sims' Journey in Food Safety
Published Sep 17, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams sits down with Dr. Stephen Sims, a distinguished food safety and quality assurance expert. With a background in chemistry and extensive experience in the food industry, Dr. Sims offers unique insights into the world of food safety auditing and quality management.Dr. Sims takes us through his journey from a chemist in the UK to becoming a leading figure in food safety and quality assurance in the US. He shares defining moments from his career, includ
- StandardSummaries onlyIntegrating Joy and Nutrition: Strategies for Dieticians from Chef Phoebe Lapine
Published Sep 3, 2024
Join Lydia Adams as she interviews Phoebe Lapine, a chef, wellness advocate, and author of "The Wellness Project" and "Carbivore." Phoebe shares her unique journey from culinary expert to health-conscious cookbook creator, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of delicious food and nutritious eating.Throughout the discussion, Phoebe delves into several key topics that are particularly relevant for nutrition professionals:Her journey from chef to wellness advocate, providing insights i
- StandardSummaries onlyFSMA 204 and the Future of Food Safety: Insights from Kroger's Catherine Cosby
Published Aug 20, 2024
In this insightful episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Catherine Cosby, Director of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance at Kroger. With over 15 years of experience in the food industry, Catherine shares her journey and expertise in food safety.The conversation centers on FSMA 204 and its implications for the food industry, with Catherine providing a comprehensive overview of Kroger's approach to compliance. She explains their decision to apply traceability requirements to all pro
- StandardSummaries onlyFood Science Insights with Rachel Zemser of A La Carte Connections
Published Aug 6, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Rachel Zemser, a food science industry consultant with nearly three decades of experience. Rachel, the Founder of A La Carte Connections, shares her journey in the food industry and her passion for food science, which was sparked by her international upbringing and exposure to diverse food cultures.Rachel discusses the critical steps in the R&D process, emphasizing the need to balance creativity with practical considerations such as manuf
- StandardSummaries onlyAdvancing Food Safety and Sustainability: Insights from Leanne Singleton of FoodSure Australia
Published Jul 23, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk, Lydia Adams interviews Leanne Singleton, a food industry expert with over two decades of experience. Currently the Principal Food Safety, Food Waste Specialist at FoodSure Australia, Leanne discusses the significant changes in food safety systems over the past 20 years, highlighting the shift from reactive inspection-based programs to preventative, holistic approaches.The discussion explores the challenges companies face when adopting food safety standards and
- StandardSummaries onlyHow AI Can Transform Food Safety with Dr. Wesam Al-Jeddawi of Core Catalyst Food Sciences
Published Jul 9, 2024
Join Lydia Adams on this episode of the Food Tech Talk podcast, where she interviews Dr. Wesam Al-Jeddawi, Executive Director of Laboratory Services at Core Catalyst Food Sciences.Dr. Wesam has a strong background in food science, microbiology, safety, and quality control, and is passionate about leveraging scientific innovation to advance food safety standards. In this discussion, he shares much about his journey and discusses the role of emerging technology like blockchain and AI in revolution
- StandardSummaries onlyThe State of Traceability + The Role of Technology with CEO, Katy Jones
Published Jun 25, 2024
Join Lydia Adams as she hosts a special episode of the Food Tech Talk podcast, with Trustwell CEO, Katy Jones. Katy’s journey at Trustwell started back in 2015, and this conversation tracks that time from her stint as Chief Marketing Officer right up to her current role. This ‘state-of-the-industry’ check-in gives Katy and Lydia a chance to reflect on where we are with food transparency and traceability and why it’s so important we keep making big steps forward in this space. Katy shares some of
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Role of Leadership in Food Safety with Jill Stuber and Tia Glave of Catalyst
Published May 28, 2024
Join Lydia Adams as she hosts the Food Tech Talk podcast, featuring Jill Stuber and Tia Glave, the co-founders of Catalyst LLC. In this episode, they discuss the crucial role of leadership and culture in the food safety and quality industry. Discover the moments that led Jill and Tia to recognize a leadership skill gap, and how Catalyst LLC empowers food industry professionals through leadership development and consulting services. The working relationship between Tia and Jill is a self-supporti
- StandardSummaries onlyNavigating Compliance and Innovation in the Food Industry: A Conversation with Eden Butvinik, Food Scientist
Published May 14, 2024
In this episode of the Food Tech Talk podcast, host Lydia Adams speaks with Eden Butvinik, a business owner, food scientist and photographer. Eden works for themself through Eden Butvinik Consulting, and in this conversation, they share how their work in the food industry works in tandem with their creative tendencies. Their grasp of the consumer-led trends moving through the industry with regards to flavor and product development gives us a thought-provoking insight into not only the food techn
- StandardSummaries onlyBetter Traceability for a More Sustainable Future: A Conversation with Ryan Richard of GS1 US
Published Apr 30, 2024
In this episode of the Food Tech Talk podcast, host Lydia Adams interviews Ryan Richard, the Vice President of Community Engagement at GS1 US. During their discussion they touch upon the difficulties inherent in the tracking process and why it is so important that food can be accounted for throughout the entire supply chain. Ryan shares his thoughts on why effective tracking can be a great tool in the mission to curb food waste. They also discuss how GS1 standards are being leveraged to address
- StandardSummaries onlyA New Generation of Consumers: How the Food Industry is Changing with Nirdesh Dalal
Published Apr 16, 2024
Nirdesh DalalIn this episode of Food Tech Talk, host Lydia Adams interviews Nirdesh Dalal, a senior food and beverage scientist at Lucta.Nirdesh shares how his passion for food and the science behind it drove him down the path to his current role. He discusses the balance between creativity and quality in the food lab and how attitudes and expectations of food have developed in the younger generations. Nirdesh also talks about technology's role in food science and shares advice for aspiring professionals. Tu
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Business of Brewing Beer: Safety & Quality with Ivan Dedek
Published Apr 2, 2024
Ivan DedekIn this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams is joined by Ivan Dedek, Brewmaster/Food Scientist at Meier's Creek Brewing Company.Find out how and why Ivan followed his passion for brewing and let it lead him into the industry away from his previous life in finance. If you’re someone with similar dreams, Ivan’s is a voice that you’ll want to pay heed to: get educated, know all your equipment, and start with a humble attitude are just some of the pea
- StandardSummaries onlyHow to get ahead of food safety issues with Michelle Brydalski from Charcuterie Artisans
Published Mar 19, 2024
In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams is joined by Michelle Brydalski, VP of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at Charcuterie Artisans.Join them as they investigate the data and why ignoring trends is a recipe for disaster and explain why proper preparation is vital for dealing with recalls. Michelle will explain why checkbox plans just aren’t good enough and why transparency always wins. Together, they also discuss being an advocate for the
- StandardSummaries onlyRevamped: Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork
Published Mar 12, 2024
Food safety is not something any of us want to make compromises on – and nor should we. At Trustwell we’re dedicated to helping food companies help you to trust what’s on your plate. We make leading safety and compliance software and that’s why we’re having important conversations across the supply chain on compliance, labeling, food safety, regulations, and everything in between.We set the standard, and now we want to set the tone. Each episode of our podcast, Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insig
- StandardSummaries onlyRegulatory Roundup: Unpacking Front-of-Package Labeling, Traceability Rules, and Lead Contamination Investigations
Published Dec 12, 2023
Regulatory RoundupIn this episode of Transparency Talk with Trustwell, Chief Customer Officer Katy Jones welcomes back industry experts Megan Murphy, Regulatory Product Lead, and Julie McGill, VP of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights. The team explores pivotal developments in food safety, covering the FDA's proposal for front-of-package nutrition labeling, providing updates on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204, and scrutinizing the ongoing investigation into elevated lead levels in cinnamon applesauce
- StandardSummaries onlyC-Suite Secrets: A Culinary Trailblazer's Recipe for Leadership Success
Published Nov 28, 2023
In this podcast episode of Transparency Talk with Trustwell, host Katy Jones interviews Mary Wagner, a trailblazer in the culinary and product development industry, known for her expertise in food research and development. The discussion centers on corporate governance, leadership, and the importance of diversity and equity in the food industry.The episode explores the imperative of diversity and equity within leadership roles in the food industry. Mary articulates key leadership skills critical
- StandardSummaries onlyDebunking Cybersecurity Myths and the Importance of IT Collaboration in Food Safety
Published Nov 14, 2023
Join Transparency Talk host, Katy Jones, Chief Customer Officer at Trustwell, in an interview with Kristin Demoranville, founder and CEO of AnzenSage, a food industry cybersecurity consulting firm. As the food industry becomes more automated and interconnected, food companies need to consider how they can incorporate security measures into the technology that is helping them streamline operations and connect the global food supply chain. In the episode, Kristin will share her perspective from th
- StandardSummaries onlyEmpowering Food Safety and Quality: Exploring the Future of IoT in the Food Industry
Published Oct 31, 2023
Join Transparency Talk host, Katy Jones, Chief Customer Officer at Trustwell, in an interview with the Director of Food Safety and Industry Relations for Testo North America, Eric Moore. Eric serves as an industry leader in managing food safety programs for major foodservice and retail brands, and now provides guidance to brands on how IoT technologies can benefit food safety and the global food supply chain. From portable data loggers to ambient temperature readings, IoT offers a range of benef
- StandardSummaries onlyRegulatory Roundup: Menu Labeling Returns, Added Sugar Labeling, and CA Banned Additives
Published Oct 17, 2023
Regulatory RoundupJoin Katy Jones, Chief Customer Office, and Megan Murphy, Labeling and Regulatory Consulting Specialist at Trustwell, as they dive into the major regulations impacting the industry in the fall of 2023. In November, the FDA is returning to full regulatory enforcement of restaurant menu labeling, and Megan offers tips on compliance, as well as how to navigate reformulation when ingredients change due to supply chain disruptions. Additionally, our hosts dive into the latest updates on added sugar l
- StandardSummaries onlyCultivating Sustainability: The Rise of Indoor Farming
Published Sep 26, 2023
Cultivating SustainabilityJoin Transparency Talk host, Katy Jones, Chief Customer Officer at Trustwell, in an interview with the Managing Director of Chalsys Impact, LLC, Sonia Lo, in a discussion on indoor, sustainable farming and food tech that bridges the gap between consumers’ desire for sustainability and what the food system currently provides. As an angel investor and former CEO of a number of food technology companies, Sonia Lo provides a unique perspective on how the food industry can transform our foodways with
- StandardSummaries onlyBuilding a Safer Future for Food: A Discussion with Foodborne Illness Lawyer Bill Marler
Published Sep 12, 2023
Join Transparency Talk host, Katy Jones, Chief Customer Officer at Trustwell, in an interview with Bill Marler, renowned foodborne illness lawyer with The Food Safety Law Firm. Continuing the discussion around food safety and the recent Netflix expose documentary Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food, our hosts discuss Bill Marler’s advocacy for a safer food supply, as well as his path to creating the Food Safety Law Firm. Marler's nonprofit work with victims of foodborne illness has provide