Summary:

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, Lori Taylor joins Venessa Wood on Ag Talk: Your Story Matters to share the story behind The Produce Moms, her unexpected path into agriculture, and her passion for connecting consumers with the people and products that make up America’s food system.

Although Lori didn’t grow up on a farm, her career in produce distribution gave her a unique perspective on the agricultural supply chain. After spending a decade working with grocery retailers across the country, Lori recognized an opportunity to educate consumers about the thousands of fruits and vegetables available in the produce department. In 2012, she launched The Produce Moms as a simple blog from her office cubicle.

In 2015, Lori faced a life-changing entrepreneurial decision when her former employer offered her the opportunity to purchase The Produce Moms. With the support of her family and a whole lot of faith, Lori took the leap. Today, The Produce Moms has grown into a nationally recognized brand reaching millions of consumers through digital content, podcasting, television, retail products, and advocacy.

Lori and Venessa also discuss the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, removing guilt from food choices, the confusion surrounding food labels, food safety and transparency, and the role of agriculture advocacy in strengthening America’s food system. They explore how food brings people together, creates family traditions, and connects consumers to the farmers and producers behind their meals.

Whether you’re a farmer, rancher, food industry professional, or simply someone who wants to better understand where your food comes from, this episode offers an inspiring conversation about faith, entrepreneurship, agriculture, food, family, and the power of telling your story.

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to grow up on a farm to have a meaningful career and impact in agriculture.
• Lori’s decade working in produce distribution gave her a unique perspective on the connection between farmers, grocery retailers, and consumers.
• The Produce Moms began in 2012 as a free WordPress blog created from Lori’s office cubicle.
• Lori took a major entrepreneurial leap in 2015 when she purchased The Produce Moms from her former employer with the support of her family.
• The Produce Moms’ mission is to get more fruits and vegetables on every table.
• The brand believes fruits and vegetables are delicious, nutritious, convenient, and affordable.
• The Produce Moms also believes in a world where both career and family can thrive and that moms can change the way America eats.
• Food has the power to bring people together, create family traditions, and connect generations.
• Lori encourages families to focus on eating more fruits and vegetables rather than feeling guilty about whether they are organic, conventional, locally grown, or greenhouse grown.
• Preparing fruits and vegetables first can make it easier for families to incorporate more produce into their meals.
• Food labels such as “natural” and “non-GMO” can sometimes create confusion for consumers rather than providing meaningful clarity.
• Consumers deserve transparency from the agriculture and food industries, particularly when it comes to food safety and sourcing.
• Agriculture advocacy becomes stronger when people take the time to understand the broader agricultural industry beyond their own sector.
• Supporting American farmers and ranchers is essential to strengthening America’s food system.
• Food security is national security, and farmers and ranchers play a foundational role in protecting the nation’s food supply.
• Lori’s 50 States of Agriculture initiative celebrates the people, products, and stories that make American agriculture so diverse.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Meeting Lori Taylor

03:49 – Lori’s Unexpected Path Into Agriculture

06:19 – What Lori Learned From the Produce Supply Chain

08:43 – The Birth of The Produce Moms

10:36 – Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap in 2015

13:03 – The Mission & Growth of The Produce Moms

17:51 – How Agricultural Producers Can Partner With The Produce Moms

20:55 – Storytelling Through Live Television & Cooking

24:57 – Lori’s Favorite Family Meals & Produce Tips

30:05 – Food, Family & Creating Traditions Around the Table

31:01 – Taking the Guilt Out of Eating Fruits & Vegetables

36:07 – The Food Pyramid & Eating Real Food

39:55 – Food Marketing, Labels & Consumer Confusion

43:08 – Transparency, Food Safety & the Food Supply Chain

50:13 – Agriculture Advocacy Beyond the Produce Department

51:07 – Food Security Is National Security

52:49 – Final Thoughts & The 50 States of Agriculture

Resources:

Website: About Ag Women Connect • AG Women Connect 

Podcast: Ag Women Connect Podcast • AG Women Connect