Fresh Takes On Tech

Fresh Takes on Tech, hosted by Vonnie Estes, explores innovations in the food and agriculture sector. Guests Daniel Knauer, Katherine Sizov, and Blake Wilbur discuss their pioneering roles in the produce industry. Daniel highlights Copeland's temperature monitoring solutions for refrigerated transport, while Katherine explains Strella's predictive technology for extending produce shelf life. Blake introduces Kula Bio's nitrogen-fixing bacteria as a sustainable solution for reducing synthetic fertilizer use. Tune in to discover how these technologies aim to tackle critical challenges and drive transformation in the supply chain.Key TakeawaysIn-Transit Monitoring Importance: Daniel Knauer discusses how monitoring truck temperature and humidity protects produce quality during transport, ultimately extending shelf life and reducing waste.Predictive Technology in Agriculture: Katherine Sizov of Strella leverages AI and sensor technologies to predict the shelf life of produce, aiming to reduce food waste.Banana Ripening Revolutionized: Sizov explains how automating banana ripening through integrated sensors improves quality control and efficiency.Sustainable Farming Advances: Blake Wilbur highlights Kula Bio's nitrogen-fixing bacteria innovation, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, promoting greener agriculture.Emerging Data and AI Applications: All guests underscore the rising importance of data and AI in refining agricultural practices and workflowsGuest ResourcesCopeland: WebsiteStrela: WebsiteKula Bio: WebsiteIn this enlightening episode, gain insights into the ways technology is reshaping agriculture through real conversations with industry innovators. Be sure to listen to the full episode for a deeper understanding of how these advancements are paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient food supply chain. Stay tuned for more fascinating discussions on Fresh Takes on Tech.Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

In this engaging episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes welcomes Danny Bernstein, the CEO of Reservoir, to explore the intersection of deep technology and agriculture. The conversation highlights Reservoir's mission to accelerate the integration of robotics and digital tools in the farming industry by making it easier for technologists to access agricultural fields for testing their innovations. Bernstein shares his journey from Silicon Valley to agriculture and emphasizes the value of technological resilience in improving food production practices.Bernstein reflects on the existing challenges faced by agtech startups, such as long timelines in field testing, and how Reservoir is revolutionizing this space. With plans to launch three deep tech incubators in California, Reservoir aims to provide early-stage startups with critical resources, including field access and precision labs. Bernstein also discusses Reservoir's venture capital initiative, "Reservoir VC," which provides pre-seed funding to support startups from ideation to market readiness, bringing attention to the significance of services and innovations like humanoid robots in the agtech landscape.Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways:Reservoir is addressing the gap between Silicon Valley's tech innovation and the practical needs of the agriculture sector by establishing deep tech incubators for accessible field testing.The introduction of Reservoir VC is set to provide crucial early-stage funding, helping agtech startups speed up their development process and innovate sustainably.Danny Bernstein highlights the importance of resilience in agriculture, drawing parallels between agtech and global diplomacy in sharing resources and building partnerships.Matthew Hoffman's transition to Reservoir as General Partner embodies a strategic move towards fostering more extensive startup collaborations and innovation support in the agtech industry.The episode foresees the role of humanoid robots and robotics as a service in transforming agriculture, emphasizing the need for adaptive business models to keep pace with technological advancements.Guest ResourcesReservoir: https://reservoir.co/International Fresh Produce Association: https://www.freshproduce.com/ Embark on a journey with Reservoir as they reshape the agtech landscape! Listen to the full episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech" for more insights and stay tuned for future episodes.Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

In this episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes engages in a deep conversation with Karen Ross at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim. As the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Karen offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, climate, and food production in California. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping agriculture and the potential benefits and challenges of adopting these advancements.Throughout the discussion, Secretary Ross addresses the pressing concerns of modern agriculture, such as the impact of changing climate patterns, rising production costs, and the ongoing quest to attract a new generation of skilled workers to the sector. They also touch on the importance of innovation and technology in areas like precision agriculture, regenerative practices, and the emergence of biological solutions. The conversation highlights the essential role of partnerships and collaboration in paving the way for a sustainable agricultural future in California.Key TakeawaysThe Role of Technology in Agriculture: Technology, particularly in precision agriculture, offers solutions for overcoming environmental challenges and improving efficiency.Importance of Collaboration: Building partnerships across the supply chain is crucial to fostering innovation and addressing industry challenges.Focus on Sustainability: There's a strong push towards sustainable practices, including regenerative agriculture and the use of biologicals.Future Thinking and Adaptability: The agricultural sector must continuously adapt and embrace technology, such as AI, to remain competitive and sustainable.Opportunities in AgTech: The sector presents vast opportunities for young professionals, offering exciting careers in technology, innovation, and sustainability.Guest ResourcesCalifornia Department of Food and AgricultureUniversity of California, Agriculture and Natural ResourcesInternational Fresh Produce AssociationTo discover more about how technology is shaping the future of agriculture, tune into the full episode. Stay connected with "Fresh Takes on Tech" for more illuminating discussions and insights into the rapidly evolving world of food and agriculture.Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

In this enlightening episode of "Fresh Takes on Tech," host Vonnie Estes delves into discussions with innovative leaders in the packaging and produce industry, exploring new technologies and solutions that are shaping the future of agricultural packaging. Starting with Ryan Towry of Kwik Lok, the conversation reveals the intricate journey of developing a home compostable closure aimed at improving sustainability and traceability in packaging. Towry emphasizes the need for reliable, cost-effective solutions in a supply chain eagerly confronting impending regulatory shifts like FSMA 204.As the episode continues, Dr. Taraka Ramji introduces Peelon's breakthrough compostable packaging solutions that effectively address major food waste and sustainability challenges. His insights reveal the complexities of introducing new packaging solutions that align with existing supply chain processes. Finally, Steve Greenfield of NNZ discusses the Q-Bic packaging innovation, an eco-friendly solution that aims to reduce shipping costs and enhance retail displays. Greenfield stresses the importance of strategic collaborations and long-term adoption strategies in bringing revolutionary packaging concepts to market.Key TakeawaysInnovative Packaging Solutions: Discover how companies like Kwik Lok, Peelon, and NNZ are pioneering new packaging technologies to tackle sustainability and efficiency in the supply chain.Sustainability and Traceability: Understand the role of home compostable solutions and enhanced traceability as pivotal components in future-proofing packaging against regulatory changes.Challenges in Adoption: Learn about the practical and logistical hurdles faced by large-scale producers when integrating new packaging technologies.Economic and Environmental Benefits: Explore how innovative packaging not only drives environmental benefits but can also lead to significant cost savings in distribution and retail.Collaborative Strategies: Insight into how strategic partnerships and accelerator programs can expedite the development and commercialization of novel packaging solutions.Guest ResourcesInnovative Packaging Program Info/Application: https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/fresh-field-catalyst/Kwik Lok Company: Explore more about Kwik Lok and their innovations on their website.Peelon: Learn about Peelon and their sustainable packaging solutions at their official website.NNZ: For more information about NNZ and their innovative packaging solutions, visit their website.Encourage your curiosity and delve deeper into these innovative technologies by listening to the full episode. Stay tuned for more insights into how technology is transforming food and agriculture.Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter -

Explore how innovation in food preservation and sustainable packaging is transforming the produce industry. Vonnie Estes engages with Joaquin Fisch of NAT4Bio on developing biological solutions for post-harvest preservation using natural polymers. Discover their strategies for extending fresh food shelf-life and adapting to different crops. Later, Jerold Zwas from PakItGreen shares insights into creating sustainable, compostable packaging that integrates seamlessly with existing systems, aiming to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Learn how these technologies are paving the way for a more sustainable food future.Key TakeawaysNAT4Bio focuses on biological solutions using natural polymers to enhance freshness preservation and reduce chemical use in post-harvest processes.PakItGreen is spearheading the movement to eliminate single-use plastics with eco-friendly, fiber-based packaging that is easily integrated into current systems.Participation in accelerator programs facilitated valuable insights and partnerships, which were crucial for both companies in refining their products.Regulations against single-use plastics are driving innovation in sustainable packaging, with companies like PakItGreen at the forefront.Engagement with produce industry giants is a gradual process, often taking years to transition from pilot programs to full-scale implementation.Guest ResourcesInnovative Packaging Program Info/Application: https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/fresh-field-catalyst/NAT4Bio WebsitePakItGreen WebsiteShow LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/