Empowering Women Leadership in Produce
Feb 26, 2025, Updated Mar 06, 2025
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Summary:
In this episode of the Produce Moms podcast, Lori Taylor hosts a roundtable discussion with Suzy Monford, CEO of Heritage Grocers Group, and Julie DeJarnatt, VP of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Chelan Fresh. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the produce industry, the importance of the produce department in grocery retail, and the need for more women in leadership roles. The conversation emphasizes the significance of consumer education, innovative marketing strategies, and the impact of ethnic grocery stores. The episode concludes with a call to action for empowering women in the industry and increasing fresh produce consumption.
Takeaways:
- The ethnic grocery store model is gaining momentum.
- Produce is crucial for customer perception of grocery stores.
- There is a significant gap in women at the C-suite level.
- Consumer confusion about healthiness affects produce consumption.
- Innovative marketing is essential for driving produce demand.
- Public-private partnerships can enhance access to fresh produce.
- Women need to uplift each other in professional settings.
- Networking is vital for women in the produce industry.
- The produce department can drive overall grocery sales.
- Education and storytelling are key to consumer engagement.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Female Leadership in Produce
05:07 Challenges in the Produce Industry
10:31 The Importance of Produce in Grocery Retail
12:36 Driving Demand from Farm to Fork
18:15 Women in Leadership: Current State and Future
25:54 Closing Remarks and Future Initiatives
Resources:
Website: Home | Heritage Grocers Group
Website: Home – Chelan Fresh
