Episode 28 – Project Veggie and Space Lettuce

This month on Produce Talks, we connect with Trent Smith the Project Manager for the Veggie facility on the International Space Station. Trent was able to explain some of the unique considerations that exist when trying to provide plants with just the essentials of soil, water, and light. Project Veggie has implications for not only for long-term space travel, but some of what they are learning can have impacts on production practices back on earth.



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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Trent was kind enough to provide us with a few links for more information on the Veggie project, as well as, links to some of the content discussed on the podcast. Click on the embedded links below to access the pictures, videos and tweets.

Veggie News Releases

Harvesting the First Crop Salad

Selfie Still of Kjell and Scott enjoying their home-grown space lettuce.

Salad Selfie

Tomorrow we'll eat the anticipated veggie harvest on @space_station! But first, lettuce take a #selfie. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/fUKQMhEDjK

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 9, 2015

Space Station Live: How Does Your Garden Grow in Space?

Veggie Plant Growth System Version-5

Wringing out a Washcloth in Space

Media Talks: 2015 Retrospective on Produce, Part 2

In part 2 of the Produce Talks year in review, we have turned the mic over to Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA, to continue his conversation with a panel of media who cover our industry to review the year that was 2015 and predicting the major stories of 2016.

This episode is the second half of a conversation with:

·        John Groh (Produce News)

·        Karen Davidson (The Grower)

·        Tom Karst (The Packer)

·        Karen James (Grocery Business)

·        Matthew Ogg (Fresh Fruit Portal)

In this episode, the panel reviews some changes in international trade, technology impacts, marketing trends, and predicting the big stories of 2016.

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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Media Talks: 2015 Retrospective on Produce, Part 1

 This month on Produce Talks, we turn the mic over to Ron Lemaire the President of CPMA as he sits down with a panel of the media who cover our industry to review the year that was 2015 and predicting the major stories of 2016.

This episode is the first half of a conversation with:

·        John Groh (Produce News)

·        Karen Davidson (The Grower)

·        Tom Karst (The Packer)

·        Karen James (Grocery Business)

·        Matthew Ogg (Fresh Fruit Portal)

In this episode, the panel reviews some of the major events around sustainability, food trends, and food safety and regulation.

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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Episode 25 - The Underwater Greenhouse

This month on Produce Talks, we connect with Luca Gamberini from the Ocean Reef Group about a project they have been working on for the past three years call Nemo’s Garden.  Nemo’s Garden is a project investigating the benefits of creating underwater greenhouses.  Currently in operation off the coast of Italy, Luca explains how the project works, what they have learned, and what the future of underwater gardening could look like.  You can find out more on their Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube channel.



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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Episode 24 -Conversation with Retailers V The Produce Workforce And a Greenhouse on the Go Recap!

This month on the podcast we conclude our year-long conversation with Eric Biddiscombe. from Loblaw, and Jean-Guy Mazerolle, formerly of Co-op Atlantic. In this episode, we speak to both of them about the produce workforce, how changing demographics will affect it, and the importance of training.

As a bonus, we are also check in with Ray Wowryk from Nature Fresh Farms.  In our June podcast, we heard about their mobile greenhouse operation.  Ray joins us to tell us all about how their summer went and a bit about their future plans for the project. You can check out the Nature Fresh Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for some great pictures of the mobile greenhouse in action.

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Episode 23 - All About the Beacons

This month on the podcast we explore a topic that has been popping up over and over again, beacon technology.  Beacons are heralding a new way to interact with consumers, and the technology has potential to impact every level of the produce supply chain.

We are joined by Doug Thompson CEO and Co-Founder of Dot3 Ltd.  As well as being a leading expert in the field Doug is the author of  beekn.net, a blog that explores the latest developments in beacon technology.

Also joining us is Roland Hung, an Associate with McCarthy Tétrault.  Roland has authored an article titled, "Beacon Technology: A Primer for Retailers."  Roland speaks to us about how existing privacy legislation and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation may impact any beacon technology strategy.

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Episode 22—Conversations with Retailers Part IV

This month on the podcast we continue our year long conversation with Eric Biddiscombe. from Loblaw, and Jean-Guy Mazerolle, formerly of Co-op Atlantic.  In this episode, we explore the different nature of the relationships with international vendors and some of the challenges that come up with sourcing international product.

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Episode 21—Village Farms Landfill Gas Project

This month we connect with Village Farms to discuss a new study that they have commissioned to examine the feasibility of using gas from retired landfills as a source of carbon dioxide.  Jonathan Bos a development director from Village Farms is able to join us to walk us through how the project came about, what are the potential benefits, and the partners they have gained along the way.

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Episode 20—Greenhouse On The Go!

There are many different ways that partners in the produce supply chain help to drive the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.  We have already done a podcast on the CPMA's major program the Half Your Plate program.
In this episode we connect with a member that is creating consumer education opportunities all over the place by using a mobile greenhouse.  Peter Quiring, President of Nature Fresh Farms joins us to discuss the project, how it all started, and some of the conversations he's having with people along the way.

You can check out the Nature Fresh Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for some great pictures of the mobile greenhouse in action.

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Episode 19 - Conversations with Retailers III Vendor Relationships

We continue to connect with retail members of the CPMA to discuss issues relevant to the produce industry. This is the third part of our conversation with Jean-Guy Mazerolle from Co-op Atlantic and Eric Biddiscombe from Loblaw.  In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build and manage business relationships between vendors and retailers.

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