You CAN cut food costs & add nutrients: Episode 93

"Avoid the center of the store...canned food isn't nutritious and filled with preservatives." These are examples of the negative bias put on the canning and processing community, according to our Food Bullying podcast guest Andy Russick. Reality is that canned vegetables and fruits can help you cut food costs, as well as get more nutrients in your diet.

"I read and hear with frequency a suspicion that is held about canning being a process that cooks all the nutrients out of food or that canners add too much sugar or salt to our products. Sometimes new articles claim that we still have BPA in our cans (not true since 2012) or that we use additives or preservatives to our products to extend shelf life (not correct - nothing added).

Incorrect reporting such as I have mentioned above, gives consumers pause to purchase our products. It also levies a feeling of mom guilt or dad guilt on can purchasers which is not fair to the purchaser or the producer or brand owner when this misconception is repeated and laid upon our loyal followers" notes Russick. 

When asked what he wishes people knew, he quickly points out "Incorrect reporting such as I have mentioned above, gives consumers pause to purchase our products. It also levies a feeling of mom guilt or dad guilt on can purchasers which is not fair to the purchaser or the producer or brand owner when this misconception is repeated and laid upon our loyal followers." He hopes dietitians can bridge the understanding of the value of canned food in cutting food costs during this time of inflation, as well as recommend canned veggies and fruits to improve their nutrition.

Andy Russick is the Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service for Pacific Coast Producers. Over the 35 years he has been with PCP, he has held the positions of Vice President of Retail Sales, Director of Retail Sales, National Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Field Operations Manager and Logistics Coordinator. He began working for Pacific Coast Producers shortly after his time at Santa Clara University, where he graduated in 1986 with a degree in Economics. Andy has been very happily married to Kathleen for 32 years and has two smart and cheerful daughters, Chloe and Jana. He travels to various customer's offices across the country, attends trade shows, rides a Peloton, surfs, skis, golfs and listens to a good many podcasts and sporting events.

Andy wishes that his legacy in his time working for the Food Industry would be that our nation’s population adopt his vociferous appreciation for the qualitative goodness, economic value and logistical sensibility of shelf stable (particularly canned) products. Learn more at www.pcoastp.com or follow Pacific Coast Prodcuers 1971 on Instagram.