This week, Patrick Kelly sits down with Silvia Restrepo, a prominent leader in agricultural education and research from Cornell University. Together, they discuss how education is shaping the future of agriculture, from empowering the next generation of industry professionals to fostering innovation and sustainability. Silvia shares insights into the evolving role of universities in supporting the produce industry and why investing in knowledge is key to long-term success.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays!

Ross the Produce Boss is fresh back from Idaho with an inside look at the onion

harvest—how they’re sorted, sized, packed, and stored for the season. We’ve

both got garden updates: in Dan’s backyard, the Bosc pear tree is loaded with

beautiful golden-russet fruit. We’ll also share how to tell the difference

between when Bartlett-type pears and variety pears are truly ready to eat.

Ross is talking salad bowls (and has a message for the

producers of those bowls), Also on his table are celery hearts and Persian

cukes. Kiwi berries, quince, and more on Dan’s table as he shares the striking beauty

of russeting on California Golden Delicious apples.

It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays,

from the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media!

In this episode of the Global Fresh Series, we sit down with Dave McCary of ZAG Technical Services to explore how cybersecurity and ransomware are reshaping the fresh produce industry. From recent high-profile attacks on produce companies to the hidden vulnerabilities in supply chains, Dave shares why protecting data and operations is just as critical as protecting the crops themselves. We discuss the real costs of downtime, how hackers exploit weaknesses, and the steps growers, shippers, and distributors can take today to safeguard their businesses — and the global food supply — from digital threats.

First Class Sponsor: Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Premium Sponsor: Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/

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Premium Sponsor: The Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation: https://fvdrc.com/

Global Women Fresh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://globalwomenfresh.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apples are one of those rare fruits that you can actually recognize by name. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji… the list seems endless.

But have you ever wondered where these names came from?

Is there an actual 'granny' behind the Granny Smith?

Was the Red Delicious truly the most delicious of all red apples?

And what about Bramley - does that name come from a person, a place, or perhaps an aristocratic family?

In this month's livestream, John and Patrick dig into a few apple varieties and explore the fascinating history behind their names.

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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly sits down with Anne Marie to explore how the next generation is stepping up to shape the future of fresh produce.

As the industry experiences a generational handoff, Anne Marie brings a fresh perspective on what the future holds—from evolving consumer values and sustainability to digital transformation and leadership styles. It’s not just about passing the torch—it’s about redefining how the flame burns.

In this episode of the Global Fresh Series, we begin with the curious and captivating story of French artist Agnès Varda, who transformed humble potatoes into symbols of beauty and individuality through her groundbreaking exhibit Patatutopia. From there, we shift from art to agriculture with a conversation just as colorful and insightful.

Joining us is CarrieAnn Arias, President and CEO of USA Pears, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in global brand building. CarrieAnn shares her perspective on the state of the pear industry after a challenging season, consumer trends driving growth, and how health and wellness movements are reshaping demand.

First Class Sponsor: Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Premium Sponsor: Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/

Premium Sponsor: Avocados from Colombia: https://avocadoscolombia.com/

Premium Sponsor: The Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation: https://fvdrc.com/

Global Women Fresh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://globalwomenfresh.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From the kitchens of medieval Europe to the orchards of Anglo-Saxon England, the apple became far more than just a fruit. It was medicine, it was myth, it was ritual.

In part two of our apple series, John and Patrick explore how crab apples were pressed into sharp, sour verjuice to season everything from pigs’ feet to plague remedies, how Anglo-Saxon charms and midwinter wassailing blended Christianity with ancient fertility rites, and how monks carried apple cuttings—and their spiritual symbolism—across the continent.

From the orchard-cemeteries of St. Gall to the fruit catalogues of Charlemagne, apples became embedded in the medieval imagination. And just as they took root in law codes, legends, and royal gardens, they also crept into the realm of story—appearing in myths of archers, kings, and poisoned fruit.

Join John and Patrick as they uncover how the humble apple became a cornerstone of medieval life, belief, and lore…

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In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.

The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!

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• Share this episode with your friends
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In this special on-the-road episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly teams up with Ross “The Produce Boss” as they hit the floor at SEPC 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina! 🎉

Join us for exclusive interviews, live insights, and real-time reactions as we explore the hottest trends, innovative products, and standout booths at one of the most anticipated produce events of the year. From farm to table and everything in between, we’re bringing you the flavor, the energy, and the inside scoop—straight from the show floor.