Podcasts

State of the Plate

Food and agriculture impact every life on this planet, every single day. And keeping the food chain moving from farm to fork is big business. Join food and ag communications experts and industry advocates Brandon Miller and Rochelle Schnadt once a month as they chat about some of the leading stories from throughout the food chain impacting the business behind feeding the world—from innovation and legislation to market trends and consumer insights. Brought to you by C.O.nxt, a marketing and communications agency.

Latest Episode

Episode 13: Earth Month Heroes

In this episode we chat about a proposal for more Climate Smart money, reveal the food trends that Gen Z is biting into, celebrate Earth Month by giving props to some food and ag sustainability leaders and comment on the latest Hellmann’s hijinks. 00:00 – Intro 06:30 – Climate Smart Update 11:57 – Gen Z Food Trends 22:22 – Celebrating Earth Month 37:43 – Hellmann’s Clickbait

April 22 • 48m 50s

Episodes

Episode 13: Earth Month Heroes

April 22 • 48m 50s

Episode 12: The Ozempic® Factor

In this episode we dig into the impact of Ozempic®-like drugs on the food market, interview an expert about a fascinating super-grain, cover off on the latest bird flu threat and dive into the gen-z hydration craze. 00:00 – Intro 9:20 – The Ozempic® Impact 23:18 – Sorghum the Super-grain 42:22 – The Bird Flu 50:20 – The Hydration Craze

April 16 • 1h 8m 57s

Episode 011: This Little Piggy

In this episode we talk about the impact of Proposition 12 on the pork industry and consumer market, how the new nostalgia flavor trend takes us back to tastier times, and the movement toward a breakfast-less existence. 00:00 – Intro 05:20 – Proposition 12 17:30 – Nostalgia Flavor Trend 28:33 – Bypassing Breakfast

March 5 • 39m 52s

Bonus Episode: The Good and (Mostly) Bad of the 2024 Super Bowl Ads

C.O.nxt Associate Creative Director Michael Bleach joins Brandon and Rochelle to talk about the best and worst food and beverage commercials in this year’s big game.

February 15 • 39m 35s

Episode 010: New Year, New Flavor Trends

In the first episode of the new year, we talk to David Banks of Bell Flavors and Fragrances about the hottest flavor trends of 2024, discuss ethical standards for social influencers and get fired up animal ag’s place in the climate change debate. 00:00 – Intro 02:18 – 2024 Flavor Trends 46:44 – Influencer Ethics 1:10:16 – Attack on Animal Ag

February 1 • 1h 21m 51s

Episode 009: Ready for Dry January?

In this lighthearted holiday episode, we take a break from some of the more pressing food biz news to prepare for Dry January with facts about the low-to-no beverage trend and taste-testing some of the hottest non-alcoholic products on the shelf. 00:00The fun begins and continues to the end

December 14 • 41m 9s

Episode 008: Skittle Me This

In this episode we dig into California’s cancellation of the red Skittle, serve up highlights from our Federal Milk Order conversation with Lucas Sjostrom and banter about the hottest 2023 holiday food trends. 00:00 Intro 02:55 California Ingredient Bans 22:19 Federal Milk Order Convo Highlights 49:05 Holiday Food Trends

November 29 • 1h 2m 12s

Bonus Episode: Lucas Sjostrom, Edge Dairy Cooperative

Due to the timeliness of this conversation, we’re not waiting for the full episode to get this content in your ears. Lucas Sjostrom, a managing director of Edge Dairy Cooperative, shares his insight on the Federal Market Order discussions as it relates to milk and other perishable U.S. commodities, while intersecting with the new Farm Bill and potential government shut down.

November 14 • 39m 16s

Episode 007: Peas, Do Tell

In this episode we dish out takes on the struggling U.S. pea protein market, have roundup discussions on the Women in Ag panel and World Dairy Expo, discuss the Halloween sugarflation phenomenon and countdown America’s least favorite candies. 00:00 Intro 04:02 Pea Protein Market at Risk 11:33 World Dairy Expo Recap 28:56 Women in Ag Follow-up 40:48 Halloween Sugarflation

November 2 • 53m 57s

Episode 006: Food Insecurity from All Angles

In this episode we serve up the latest update on the Farm Bill, chat about the latest label innovations helping to reduce food waste and talk with Amy Tranzillo about how her company, Agrofresh, is leading the charge to keep fresh produce fresher for longer. And because ‘tis the season, we’ll get into some pumpkin spice fun facts. 00:00 Intro 02:50 Farm Bill Update 09:26 Food Label Innovation 16:52 Amy Tranzillo Interview 36:47 Pumpkin Spice Fun Facts

September 27 • 55m 38s

Bonus Episode: Scott Marshall, Feeding America

We’re back with another bonus episode with a super-interesting person doing super-important work. Scott Marshall, Vice President of Development and Communications at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, joins us to talk about the impact of food insecurity in our own backyards and the amazing work they do to keep food on people’s tables.

September 27 • 28m 1s

Food Innovation A La Carte

In this full interview with Chef Mike Haracz, Corporate Chef and Culinary Development Lead at Foodology by Univar Solutions, Chef Mike unveils his strategies for keeping up with dynamic food trends. From the surge of climate-conscious choices to deciphering consumer desires, Chef Mike shares how he stays ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

August 23 • 48m 17s

Episode 005: Unpacking a Sustainable Future for Food

In this episode we discuss back-to-school food programs in the Farm Bill, have a magical conversation with a food innovation wizard, unpack sustainable food packaging and countdown the top foods that’ll be hardest to find in the rest of 2023. Stick around for our 'a la carte' episode with Chef Mike to hear additional insights into the dynamic food industry.

August 23 • 54m 16s

Episode 004: Innovation is Delicious

In this episode we share what we learned at the IFT FIRST expo in Chicago and talk about the latest in Climate-Smart hiring, meat labels and a new innovation that’s part soybean, part pig.

July 26 • 1h 26m 36s

Episode 003: A Sustainability Smorgasbord

In this episode we chat with NASDA CEO Ted McKinney about the future of food and achieving measurable sustainability, discuss a future that features a food-filled Mars, provide an update in the latest meat labeling legislation and taste test some truly horrifying social media food trends.

June 27 • 1h 2m 58s

Episode 002: Climate Smart as the Main Course

In this episode we come at Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities from all angles, including which food and ag companies are teaming up, how innovation is making partnerships easier and one partnership that’s saving the rice supply, featuring special guest Jay McEntire, CEO of Arva Intelligence.

May 30 • 1h 2m 40s

Episode 001: The First Supper

The State of the Plate podcast kicks off with rousing discussions around what food and ag organizations are looking for from the Farm Bill, how the beef market is trending, poultry gene editing technology and one new way AI is reshaping food industry research.

May 2 • 44m 19s