In this episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly welcomes Wiggs Civitillo, Founder and CEO of Starfish, for a conversation. Wiggs shares his background, experiences, and perspective, offering insight into his journey and the path that led him to where he is today. Through the discussion, listeners get to know Wiggs both personally and professionally, and hear his story in a natural, conversational way.

In this timely episode of the Global Fresh Series, we sit down with Ron Lemaire, President of the Canadian Fresh Produce Association, for a candid conversation on one of the most challenging years the global fresh produce industry has faced in recent memory.

Ron reflects on the realities of 2025—marked by shifting tariffs, trade uncertainty, and geopolitical pressures—and how these forces reshaped supply chains and business strategies across borders. He also shares how new partnerships were forged, existing relationships strengthened, and innovative approaches adopted to keep fresh produce moving despite the headwinds.

Who was Joseph Banks before he became the most powerful botanist in the British Empire? How did a wealthy, restless young man turn a childhood fascination with weeds into a scientific obsession that would reshape global agriculture? And why did one cold, miserable voyage to Newfoundland prove to be the spark that launched a world-changing career?

Join John and Patrick as they begin a brand-new multi-part series on Joseph Banks, tracing his early life from privileged English estates to the edge of the North Atlantic - and setting the stage for the voyages that would transform science, empire, and the history of fresh produce.

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

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In today’s episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly breaks down one of the most pressing issues facing California citrus growers this season: the unexpected surge in mandarin fruit drop.

With a lighter crop already forecasted, above‑average rain, persistent fog, and rising fungal pressure have created a perfect storm in the groves — and growers across the Northern Central Valley are feeling the impact. Patrick unpacks the science, the weather patterns, the market implications, and the real‑world decisions growers are making right now to protect their operations.

From Fungal stress to delayed harvest windows, from packout concerns to pricing shifts, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what the industry needs to prepare for as the 2025–26 season unfolds.

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It’s a new year on Fresh-from-the-Field Fridays, and Dan the Produce Man brings you four in-season favorites.

We kick things off with broccolini, also known as sweet baby broccoli, where it came from, why it goes by so many different names, and why the stems matter.

With all the rain in Northern California, chanterelle mushrooms are abundant right now, and they remain a true favorite among chefs.

A brief field update from strawberry fields in Watsonville.

We also get into sunchokes. Are these sunny artichokes? Well, not really. Find out what this tasty tuber is all about.

And we wrap things up with a quick blurb on the Sumo Mandarin, including which three citrus varieties contributed to its development.

It’s all right here on Fresh-from-the-Field Fridays, on the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media.

The final Global Fresh Series episode of 2025 is all about celebration. We’re highlighting the people, ideas, and breakthroughs that shaped the year across the global fresh produce industry. From farm fields to global markets, this episode captures the energy, resilience, and innovation that defined 2025—and sets the stage for an exciting year ahead. Join us as we close the season with gratitude, insight, and a fresh outlook for 2026.

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Once, Switzerland was a land of pears.

When we picture the Swiss countryside today, we imagine tidy fields, precision farming, and alpine order. But not so long ago, vast stretches of eastern Switzerland were covered in towering pear trees - ancient giants that fed communities, sustained wildlife, and produced perry renowned across Europe.

So how did a nation famed for care, balance, and cultivation come to destroy eleven million fruit trees in the space of a generation?

Join John and Patrick as they unravel one of the strangest and most unsettling episodes in modern agricultural history: the deliberate, state-sponsored destruction of Switzerland’s perry orchards. From temperance panics and alcohol laws to bureaucrats with axes, propaganda films, and the cult of “modern” efficiency, this is a story of progress turned destructive - and of a drink, a landscape, and a culture quietly erased.

Was this modernization… or cultural vandalism? And what was lost when the last great pear trees fell?

READ MORE about Perry Pears here.

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

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In this special year-end episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly reflects on the defining moments, challenges, and wins that shaped the produce industry over the past year. From market shifts and innovation to leadership lessons and industry trends, Patrick breaks down what mattered most—and why. He also looks ahead to the new year, sharing insights on what’s coming next and how produce professionals can prepare for the opportunities and changes ahead.