Ingrained Insights Podcast

Episode 84: Beneo on weight management and snack solutions

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other drugs aim to help people manage their weight as well as their diabetes symptoms. Denisse Colindres, manager of nutrition communication, North America, Beneo, discusses a recent study that indicates a certain ingredient that stimulates the release of the hormone that helps the drugs work their magic, and what that might mean for snack and bakery producers. 

Episode 83: Calbee America on decades of snack innovation

Calbee has been operating in the BFY snack space since its founding in 1949 and has continued to innovate ever since. Calbee America President Tim Bateman sat down with us to discuss the company's history, foundation in better-for-you bites, and plans for the future. 

Episode 82: Wow Bao on growth in frozen snacks

Chicagoans may be more familiar with the sweet and savory Asian treats produced by the Wow Bao restaurant chain than the rest of the country. However, as the company grows and expands the reach of its retail offerings, that awareness is spreading beyond the windy city. Here, President and CEO Geoff Alexander talks about the company's history and growth strategy.

Episode 81: Kemin Food Technologies on clean label trends

U.S. consumers are more interested than ever in buying breads, snacks, and other foods with labels that read as ‘natural’ and ‘free from’ certain ingredients. It’s up to producers to deliver such products while also offering items that taste great, have sufficient shelf life, and can be economically produced. Jerry Savino, technical services manager with Kemin Food Technologies, discusses the challenges producers face, what consumers are looking for, and solutions available to make i...

Episode 80: Mary’s Gone Crackers on innovating in the BFY snack field

As a decades-old company, Mary’s Gone Crackers is one of the pioneers of the better-for-you and organic snack spaces. What’s more, the company continues to grow (it doubled manufacturing capacity earlier this year) and innovate (hello, Mary’s Gone Kookies). CEO Michael Finete talks about the history, future, and messaging of the creative company. 

Episode 79: Bill Quigg on taking over as ABA chair

Since Quigg grew up in the baking business (several generations of Quiggs ran Richmond Baking before Bill took over as president and CEO), and he’s held leadership positions at the American Bakers Association before, he seems as apt a candidate as anyone to take over the organization as chair. During the recent ABA Convention, he took time to talk about baking being in his blood, his personal leadership philosophy, and more. 

Episode 78: Chatting about cherries with the Cherry Marketing Institute

Nate Chesher, marketing director of the Cherry Marketing Institute, not only appreciates the taste and versatility of the fruit. He also loves talking about it, which he did with SF&WB recently. Listen in on the discussion of the health benefits and myriad uses of cherries in snack and bakery products, and how to use cherries to create foods that delight consumers.

Episode 77: Nick Graham of Mondelēz on the State of Snacking

Consumers around the world love their snacks. The fifth annual State of Snacking Report, courtesy of Mondelēz International, reveals some interesting insights into just how much people prioritize their snacking. Graham, global head of insights and analytics, has the scoop.

Episode 76: Tom Egan, vice president of Industry Services, PMMI

PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, recently unveiled its 2023 State of the Industry US Packaging Machinery Report. Egan reveals some of the key highlights from the info-packed resource, focusing on what the findings might indicate for the future of packaging and equipment investment for snack makers, bakery producers, and others in the CPG food field.

Episode 75: Ginger Frank, founder/CEO, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn

Ready-to-eat popcorn is a popular snack category, with plenty of players on the field. Asheville, NC-based Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn offers a range of unique, premium flavors that make it stand out, in pouches that stand up. Frank discusses the brand’s history, growth, and innovation.

Episode 74: Kevin Spratt, president for the U.S-Canada region, Rich Products

Rich Products is betting big on the future of its cake and cupcake business. Spratt connected with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery to discuss the recent $27 million investment in its Middleton, TN facility, and its history of growth and innovation.

Episode 73: Dr. Sarah Corwin, Senior Principal Scientist for Ingredient Innovation, Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition

Consumers in the U.S. generally want to eat better, but they struggle to find foods (including snacks and baked items) that meet their healthy eating goals. During this podcast, Dr. Corwin talks about how producers can strive to provide healthier foods, while still delivering on good taste.

Episode 72: Anish Sheth, operating partner, Redbud Brands

It’s not enough for a snack to be better for you to capture consumer interest, and keep them coming back. It has to taste good, too. If it combines being healthy and being tasty with being good for the environment, that’s a nice bonus. Anish Sheth talks about Redbud’s hat-trick snack Cheddies Crackers, its attention to quality, and its plans for the future.

Episode 71: Cristian Chu Salgado, VP of new business development, Luker Chocolate

When choosing bakery and snack purchases, consumers are interested in eating healthier, but they don’t want to give up indulgence—especially when it comes to chocolate. Cristian Chu Salgado recently connected with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery to talk about what shoppers are looking for, trends in chocolate, and how producers can harness the power of chocolate to deliver tasty BFY options.

Episode 70: Seb Margaglio and Bill Heiler, Rich Products

What will 2024 hold for the bakery industry? In this latest podcast, Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery checks in with two experts from Rich Products—Seb Margaglio, customer shopping marketing manager, and Bill Heiler, senior customer shopping marketing manager—to talk trends. The experts share their thoughts on what might show up on bakery shelves in terms of flavors, colors, ingredients, and more.

Episode 69: Phil Daludado, T. Hasegawa

Predicting the future can be difficult and risky, but having an idea of what consumers are looking for can be incredibly helpful for snack and bakery pros planning for future success. Daludado, senior food technologist with T. Hasegawa, sat down with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery Chief Editor Jenni Spinner to talk dessert and confection trends, and what the coming year might hold for producers.

Episode 68: Jason Wright, Wilde Protein Chips

Creating snack chips out of chicken breast might seem like a wild idea, but it’s one that’s caught on with consumers, who now can purchase the products at Target and other high-profile stores. Wright, founder of Wilde, talks about the company’s early days, notable growth trajectory, and what’s ahead for the brand.

Episode 67: Andrew Hunter, Kikkoman

Lots of U.S. households have a bottle of soy sauce in their pantry, which they typically employ to season homemade or take-out Asian dishes. However, as Chef Andrew Hunter shares with Chief Editor Jenni Spinner, soy sauce is a much more versatile substance than most consumers realize. The culinary expert explains how soy sauce can be used in a broad range of snack and bakery products, and the difference between chemically produced soy and the company’s painstaking traditional brewing...

Episode 66: Megan and Scott Reamer, Jackson’s

What started out as a labor of love in the Reamers home kitchen has become a rapidly growing national snack brand. Specializing in sweet potato chips cooked in avocado and coconut oils and sprinkled with creative seasoning blends, the company’s products are attracting consumers and winning awards.

Episode 65: Denisse Colindres of BENEO on heart-healthy ingredients

Consumers aren’t just interested in healthier eating—often, they are seeking out foods that deliver a specific benefit, such as improved heart health. Colindres, BENEO’s nutrition communication manager for North America, explains how bakery and snack producers can hit the mark and deliver with their products.

Episode 64: Anna Gordon and Steven Hartong, The Good Batch

Baking is not a business for the faint of heart, and the challenges of the past few made that saying truer than ever. Experience baker Gordon and husband Hartong spoke with SF&WB Chief Editor Jenni Spinner to share how creative thinking and perseverance helped carry the Brooklyn-based bakery through some very tough times.

Episode 63: Dan Sonke, Blue Diamond Growers

Serving as director of sustainability at the almond growers collective seems like a great career fit for Sonke—as a kid growing up on his family’s almond farm, he knows a lot about almonds and environmental stewardship. In this podcast, he talks about the organization’s mission and dispels some common misconceptions around the sustainability of almonds.

Episode 62: Jason Lioy of Dawn Foods on DE&I efforts

Brett Parker of SF&WB sat down with Lioy, Dawn’s chief people officer, to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion work at the company. He highlights how a bakery company can successfully implement DEI efforts, what to do if such programs are challenged, and how to be innovative in shaping new techniques.

Episode 61: Guy Ozery, SeedWise

After decades in the baking business, the Ozery family is going against the grain—literally. First, the Ozery Bakery’s SeedWise offshoot came out with grain-free granolas. Now, the company has launched better-for-you cookies that promise better taste. We chatted with CEO/founder Guy Ozery to get the scoop.

Episode 60: Lauren Koston, Pork King Good

Ingrained Insights sits down with Pork King Good Owner Lauren Koston as we explore the unorthodox tastes of her company's snack products. We discuss how to come up with innovative flavors, the struggles of growing an independent snack company, and the benefits of joining SNAC International. 

Episode 59: Poorvi Patodia, Biena Snacks

Founder and CEO Poorvi Patodia started the company 11 years ago, on a mission to create healthy snacks for her family that actually tasted good. Now, the chickpea-centric snack purveyor’s wares can be found across the country at Target, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, and more. We chatted about her journey from the kitchen to nationwide retail shelves, and what the producer has planned.

Episode 58: Allison Hornev, Dawn Foods

It is never too early to think of holiday bakery offerings. In this podcast, Hornev tells SF&WB’s Brett Parker all Dawn Exceptional Majestic Gingerbread Cake Donut Mix, a hybrid of two delicious bakery tastes fused into doughnut heaven. We discuss the inception of the product, keeping doughnut ideas fresh, and future baking goods her company is focusing on.  

Episode 57: Jerrod Adkins, UnbelievaBuns

After Jerrod Adkins set out to create low-carb, high-protein bread, he and his team spent seven years coming up with a recipe, fine-tuning and tweaking it until they were satisfied with the balance of flavor, nutrition, texture, and clean label. The UnbelievaBuns founder spoke with SF&WB about the journey, and plans for the brand’s future. 

Episode 56: Highlighting EDDIE, The Edible Printmaker with Mark Strobel of Primera

Ingrained Insights sits down with Mark Strobel, Vice President of Primera Technology, as he discusses EDDIE, The Edible Printmaker which creates immaculate and delicious cookie designs in a matter of minutes.  Mark discusses the inception of the product, the art of creating edible ink, and unique feedback from the baking community about the product.

Episode 55: Kyle Koehler, Wildway

Wildway is one producer that doesn’t go with the grain—literally. The company specializes in grain-free snacks, granolas, and hot cereals. In addition to being in line with a number of growing consumer and product trends (grain-free formulations, keto, paleo, etc.), the company also focuses on sustainability throughout the operation. We sat down with Koehler, Wildway CEO and founder, to learn more.

Episode 54: Brittney Cook, Something Sweet

Cook is the co-founder and chief growth officer of Something Sweet Dough, a company that sends delicious ready-to-bake cookie dough straight to your door. Not your typical start-up story, it is a family-owned business that took a personal tragedy and transformed it into a business triumph. She spoke with SF&WB Multimedia Specialist Brett Parker about overcoming challenges, what goes into a memorable cookie, and advice for new snack companies. 

Episode 53, Mukul Shukla, tna North America

Shukla has only been vice president of the processing and packaging solutions provider, but he’s no stranger to the field, with nearly 10 years of experience at the company and about three decades in the industry. He spoke with Chief Editor Jenni Spinner live from SNAXPO23 in Orlando about the company and issues impacting snack professionals.

Episode 52: Nathan Norris, Highland Baking Co.

Over the course of his career, Norris (director of diversity and inclusion at Highland Baking, Northbrook, IL) has worked to make the family-owned bakery operation a welcoming, inclusive environment. He spoke to SF&WB Chief Editor Jenni Spinner live from the recent ASB BakingTECH event in Chicago about his career, and how producers can launch and run their own DE&I programs.

Episode 51: Mike Cantore, Carolina Ingredients

The Flavor Pavilion competition is one of the most anticipated events at SNAXPO 2023 (taking place in Orlando, FL, March 19-21). Cantore, vice president of sales with Carolina Ingredients, offers a taste of what attendees can expect at the event and shares insights gained from his years of experience serving the snack and bakery industry.

Episode 50: Justin Spannuth, Unique Snacks

Owned and operated by the Spannuth family, Unique Snacks has been all about pretzels for more than a century. Its latest innovation, Puffzels, marks a foray into new territory while, thanks to the fun pretzel shape, honoring the company’s history. Justin tells us about the new product, growing up in pretzels, and taking on the position of chair of SNAC International ahead of SNAXPO23.

Episode 49: American Bakers Association President/CEO Eric Dell

As the newly appointed leader of the ABA, Dell is responsible for leading the group’s 300+ members in its mission to promote and grow the bakery industry. He spoke with SF&WB Group Publisher Doug Peckenpaugh about the challenges baking professionals face and his vision for the future of the association.

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Episode 48: BENEO on chicory root fiber

Gut health is a hot topic these days, and consumers are increasingly interested in foods that benefit their microbiome. Denisse Colindres, nutrition communication manager, BENEO, shares trends in this particular space and discusses use of chicory root fiber in snacks and bakery products.

Episode 47: ADM on flavor and color trends for 2023

What kinds of flavors and colors will consumers be hungry for in the coming year? Jennifer Zhou, ADM’s senior director of product marketing for North America, shares insights on what might be in store.

Episode 46: Hostess Brands, 2022 Bakery of the Year

Hostess Brands President and CEO Andy Callahan talk about the company’s approach to a range of crucial issues, including sustainability, workforce development, safety, and more.

Episode 45: BEST in Baking Program at IBIE

Dave Watson, food, bakery, and snacks engineering SME, The Austin Company, talks about the BEST in Baking Program at IBIE 2022, including its origins and how it has expanded over the years.

Episode 45: Best in Baking Program at IBIE

Episode 44: Packaging design insights

Tom Newmaster, Partner, FORCEpkg, relates his experience in packaging design analysis and disruption as an instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

Episode 43: Discussing innovation and the supply chain with Quinn Snacks

Kristy Lewis, chief visionary officer and chairwoman of the board at Quinn Snacks, talks about category and supply-chain innovation.

Episode 42: Preparing for IBIE 2022

Get a view of the behind-the-scenes planning for the International Baking Industry Expo (IBIE) 2022, taking place on September 17-21 in Las Vegas. Michael Cornelis, vice president of international sales and development for American Pan, highlights the top-notch educational components of the tradeshow.

Episode 41: Upcycling byproducts at Renewal Mill

Listen to our discussion with Claire Schlemme, Co-Founder and CEO at Renewal Mill, to learn more about the fight against climate change and global food loss. Renewal Mill focuses on environmental impact through its efforts in upcycling byproducts in food manufacturing into superfood ingredients and premium plant-based pantry samples.

Episode 40: Uniting taste, health, and convenience with CAULIPOWER

CAULIPOWER’s Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Gail Becker, shares what's new, including a brand new product. CAULIPOWER is the winner of SF&WB’s 2021 Bakery of the Year Award.

Episode 39: Discussing plant-based options in the bakery market

Rich Products is a leader in providing toppings and icings for bakery products. In Episode 39, we speak with Julie Altobello, senior marketing manager of health and authenticity at Rich Products, about what consumers consider when selecting bakery products with 100% plant-based options. 

Episode 38: Insight on the latest global snack flavor trends

Listen to the history, fine-tuning, and current trends of Kerry Group's global taste charts with Soumya Nair, an expert with over ten years with the Kerry Insight team.  

Episode 37: Brioche with St Pierre Groupe

David Wagstaff, vice president of North America, St Pierre Groupe (SF&WB's "Bakery of the Year" in 2019), discusses the latest trends and growth in the popularity of brioche. St Pierre Groupe produces a wide range of baked goods and has become synonymous with brioche in the U.S.