In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, talks with Michelle Thomson, GM of Kerry ANZ, about current market and consumer trends and how companies can maximise opportunities for success.

We start with how Michelle’s curiosity about consumer behaviour and looking at the world through a customer lens led to a non-linear career in sales, category, and commercial roles before heading up a portfolio. We dip into the current consumer mindset asking what they want to achieve, how are they going to get there, and why is it so critically important.

Then we shift into how food and beverage companies can meet those needs and how working with Kerry can make that process less stressful and more successful. From the functional to the fun, this episode covers how to make that happen.

Links:

Kerry Group

www.kerry.com

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The Food & Drink Business Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Food & Drink Business, owned and published by Yaffa Media (www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au).

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Food & Drink Business, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer.

The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact Food & Drink Business via their website www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au or send an email to editor@foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au

Host: Kim Berry

MC: Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, is joined by City Larder co-founders, Robbie and Rebecca Bell, and Commonwealth Bank’s GM for Small Business Vic/Tas, Tess McCormack.

Robbie and Rebecca provide an overview of City Larder and building its reputation as a premium brand for French-style charcuterie products. After seeing a gap in the market for their products, the Bells share how they have overcome challenges, built business relationships, and made investment decisions to grow their product range and production capabilities.

Tess gives us an overview of Commonwealth Bank’s investment in understanding their clients and providing them with support for a variety of needs, from covering unforeseen costs, equipment, and investing in sustainable utility upgrades to reduce costs and increase production.

We finish our discussion by considering the importance for SMEs to explore financing options available to them, particularly during business growth and the benefits that can come with a diversified customer base.

LINKS:

Sponsored by CommBank

commbank.com.au/manufacturing

City Larder:

city-larder.com

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The Food & Drink Business Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Food & Drink Business, owned and published by Yaffa Media (www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au).

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Food & Drink Business, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer.

The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact Food & Drink Business via their website www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au or send an email to editor@foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au

Host: Kim Berry

MC: Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

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Things you should know:

Guests featured in the podcast are speaking from their personal experiences only. As this podcast has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the content, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. CommBank does not necessarily endorse the views of a particular individual or guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Projects and forecasts are based on a number of assumptions and estimates and are subject to contingencies. Commonwealth Bank does not accept any liability for loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of the research.

The CommBank Manufacturing insights report can be found by searching CommBank Manufacturing Insights on the CommBank website.

©2025 Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945.

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is re-joined by Cormac Henry, the Associate Director for Food and Drink at Mintel.

We start looking at the trends for 2025 by considering our previous discussion on the results from Mintel’s study which reviewed consumer behaviours including their preference for new experiences, short moments of joy, and health supplements. We explore the uptick in rule rebellion with more snacking and home delivery, introduction of Ozempic into the market and the impact it brings on food and diet preferences and the possible food and beverage opportunities. This extends into improving transparency in the supply chain, production processes, and the ingredients involved.

We wrap up by considering the paradoxes of the trends that show the spectrum of human behaviour.

LINKS:

Sponsored by CommBank

commbank.com.au/manufacturing

Download a copy of Mintel's 2025 Food & Drink Trends

www.mintel.com/insights/food-and-drink/global-food-and-drink-trends/#download

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The Food & Drink Business Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Food & Drink Business, owned and published by Yaffa Media (www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au).

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Food & Drink Business, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer.

The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact Food & Drink Business via their website www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au or send an email to editor@foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au

Host: Kim Berry

MC: Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Food & Drink Business - © 2025