Fresh Take with IDDBA

Each month, IDDBA brings you an inside look into the world of dairy, deli, bakery and beyond! Our podcast has expanded! Every month you can catch the What's in Store segment, taking a look at what's in store for the future of our industry. In addition, be sure to join us for our other segments: Executive Aisle, where IDDBA President and CEO has a conversation with another industry leader; Inside IDDBA, bringing you insider information about our annual show; and Test Kitchen, our professional development segment. Join us twice a month, on the first and third Tuesday of the month for Fresh Take with IDDBA! If you want to know what's in store for the future of our industry, you'll want to listen to the What's in Store Podcast!

#46 (S5E8) Voni Woods Reflects on Three Decades of Community, Discovery, and the IDDBA Show 04/21/2026

#45 (S5E7) How to Spot the Signals Behind Viral Trends 04/07/2026

#45 (S5E7) How to Spot the Signals Behind Viral Trends What's In Store - How to Spot the Signals Behind Viral Trends with Kevin Ryan (CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research, LLC) This month on Fresh Take with IDDBA (What's in Store), Kat Shanahan, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, sits down with Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, for a smart, timely conversation about what product innovation looks like in a world shaped by viral trends, fast-moving consumer behavior, and constant digital feedback. As brands face pressure to react more quickly than ever, Kevin explains why the answer is not to chase every trend, but to build a better system for listening, learning, and identifying the signals that actually matter. Together, they explore how companies can separate fleeting online moments from meaningful consumer needs, why the traditional product development cycle is under pressure, and how social listening can help innovation teams stress-test ideas before they invest too far down the wrong path. Kevin also shares practical thinking around microclusters, early-stage concept validation, and the balance between AI-powered tools and human insight, arguing that while technology can help surface patterns, empathy and interpretation still matter most. Along the way, the conversation dives into the difference between watching and truly listening, why consumers rarely hand you the answer directly, and how the best innovators learn to focus on the tension behind behavior instead of the trend itself. If your team is trying to move faster without losing focus, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for building products that are both relevant and resilient. To hear more from Kevin, check out his article, Innovation at the Speed of TikTok, in the 2026 edition of What’s in Store. Head here to read your copy: Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at . To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: Registration is open now for #IDDBA2026. We'll see you in Orlando, June 7–9. To learn more about the show, book your hotel, sign up for updates, and register, visit IDDBA’s website: /episode/index/show/0d2c0aa2-7166-430a-af32-f3e6bacd8138/id/40753465

#44 (S5E6) What to Expect at #IDDBA2026 03/17/2026

#44 (S5E6) What to Expect at #IDDBA2026 Inside IDDBA - What to Expect at #IDDBA2026 with Jeremy Johnson (Vice President of Events, IDDBA), Brandie Schuchardt (Director of Meetings & Events, IDDBA), and Kat Shanahan (Vice President of Marketing and Membership, IDDBA) In this first edition of the Inside IDDBA segment for Fresh Take with IDDBA, Kat Shanahan, VP of Marketing & Membership at IDDBA, is joined by Jeremy Johnson, VP of Events, and Brandie Schuchardt, Director of Meetings & Events, for an energetic preview of IDDBA 2026 in Orlando, June 7-9. Together, they share what attendees can expect from this year’s event, from the scale of the show floor and the continued growth of the show to the planning, teamwork, and member focus that shape the overall experience. Jeremy and Brandie discuss why IDDBA's annual show has become such a milestone for exhibitors and attendees alike, where many companies often announce major events like product launches or plan their year around the show. Long-time veterans of the show, they provide a great description ("an event filled with discovery" and “sensory overload") for Kat who will be attending her first show this year. The conversation also highlights the experiences that make the show more than just time on the floor, including the Monday Night Party and What’s in Store Live. Brandie shares why the event feels so welcoming and community-driven, while Jeremy explains how What’s in Store Live helps bring IDDBA’s trends to life in practical, cross-departmental ways that attendees can take back to their teams. Along the way, they offer useful advice for getting the most out of the show, and provide a sneak peak into the return of one of IDDBA's favorite personalities returning to our General Session stage. Orlando is going to be an incredible experience, filled with energy, opportunity, and a community that values doing business and making real connections. This episode is a must-listen for those who want to come prepared. Registration is open now, and we'll see you in Orlando, June 7–9. To learn more about the show, book your hotel, sign up for updates, and register, visit IDDBA’s website: Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at . To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: /episode/index/show/0d2c0aa2-7166-430a-af32-f3e6bacd8138/id/40511710

#43 (S5E5) Mindful Indulgences: Live at BakeryTECH with Josh Bickford 03/03/2026

#42 (S5E4) Thinking Outside the Aisle with David Haaf 02/17/2026

#41 (S5E3) Igniting What's in Store Live 02/03/2026

#40 (S5E2) How Leadership Development Pays Off 01/20/2026

#39 (S5E1) Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel 01/06/2026

#38 (S4E13) What's in Store for 2026: Heather Prach and Kat Shanahan on the 2026 Trends & a New Era for What’s in Store 12/02/2025

#37 (S4E12) Cheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian Freeman 11/04/2025

#37 (S4E12) Cheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian Freeman Cheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian Freeman (Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager, Tops Markets) For November, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Brian Freeman, Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager at Tops Markets, in a free-rolling but practical conversation that moves from social-media spikes and global flavor discovery to the merchandising habits and programs that turn a cheese case into a true destination. Brian shares how his category at Tops has outpaced national growth by pairing innovation and authenticity with close collaboration across makers, brokers, and buyers—grounded in travel, plant visits, and shows like IDDBA. He explains why a great cheese set should feel like a “treasure hunt,” how simple, shopper-friendly charcuterie signage and real sampling still drive results, and how to ride TikTok-fueled surges without losing focus. Along the way, he digs into building eye-opening cheese “flights” plus answers a rapid-fire round of questions from Heather that reveals his go-to picks. Looking ahead, Brian discusses where global flavors are heading, how to design programs that deliver wins for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, and practical steps teams can take this month—refreshing displays with peaks and valleys, clarifying signs, and putting product in shoppers’ hands. We think you’ll come away with actionable ways to energize your cheese category, engage teams on the floor, and build a destination set that keeps customers coming back. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at [education@iddba.org](mailto:education@iddba.org). To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: [https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership](https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership) #Cheese #SpecialtyCheese #Charcuterie #Merchandising #Sampling #ShopperMarketing #RetailTrends #Dairy #Deli #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation #Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience #CStore /episode/index/show/0d2c0aa2-7166-430a-af32-f3e6bacd8138/id/38913900

#36 (S4 E11) The Executive Aisle: Leading Change and Shopping Happy with Jody Barrick 10/07/2025

#35 (S4E10) From Myths to Mindset: Gary Wills on Modern Food Safety Culture 09/02/2025

#35 (S4E10) From Myths to Mindset: Gary Wills on Modern Food Safety Culture From Myths to Mindset: Gary Wills on Modern Food Safety Culture (Global Director, Consumer, Retail & Food (Americas), BSI) For September, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Gary Wills, Global Director for Consumer, Retail & Food for the Americas at BSI, in a practical conversation that moves from myth‑busting to the habits and systems that keep food safe across manufacturing, retail, and foodservice. Gary debunks a few myths, clarifies why food poisoning isn’t “just a stomach bug,” and lays out how proactive sanitation programs, environmental monitoring, supplier vetting, and traceability work together at scale. He explains how labeling mistakes and allergens often drive recalls, how social media accelerates consumer alerts, and how standards and annual third‑party audits have raised the bar across the industry. Looking ahead, he discusses the role of culture, free guidance available through BSI’s publicly available specifications, where AI can support predictive risk focus, and why genome testing is becoming increasingly important in traceability; plus practical steps teams can take this month to make food safety an everyday habit. We think you’ll come away with actionable ways to engage your teams and strengthen food safety culture, along with insights you can share during National Food Safety Education Month and beyond. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at . For a taste of IDDBA's Food Safety resources, head to our Safe Food Matters page: Here is a link to the brochure from BSI that Gary mentioned: To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: #foodsafety #fosteringfoodsafety #SafeFoodMatters #NFSEM #FoodSafetyCulture #Recalls #Allergens #Sanitation #EnvironmentalMonitoring #Traceability #GFSI #BSI #FoodSafetyMonth #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #RetailTrends #FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation #Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience #CStore /episode/index/show/0d2c0aa2-7166-430a-af32-f3e6bacd8138/id/38062240

#34 (S4E9) Bakery is Civilization: Donald DeMont on the Big Picture of (Gluten-Free) Bakery 08/05/2025

#33 (S4E8) The Executive Aisle - Cutting through the Noise - David Melnick on Marketing with Clarity 07/01/2025

#32 (S4E7) Live from #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans! 06/03/2025

#31 (S4E6) Countdown to #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans with Heather Prach 05/06/2025

#30 (S4E5) The Executive Aisle: What's Rising - Carmela Serebryany on the Future of Bakery 04/01/2025

#30 (S4E5) The Executive Aisle: What's Rising - Carmela Serebryany on the Future of Bakery Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership introduces a new regular feature of the What’s in Store Podcast: The Executive Aisle, a quarterly series where IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf discusses the industry with another knowledgeable leader. In this episode, he welcomes Upper Crust President and IDDBA Board Chair Carmela Serebryany for a thoughtful and timely look at the forces shaping bakery manufacturing today, from real-world innovation to evolving consumer preferences and operational realities. Carmela opens with a powerful story of personal and professional transformation, from immigration to law to ultimately leading one of North America’s most influential frozen bakery companies. They then dive into key trends, with Carmela identifying several areas of growth: the return of fresh in-store baking, the rise of global flavor mashups, and the shift toward more functional and health-conscious offerings, all driven by consumer demand and fueled by social media. The conversation also explores how companies like Upper Crust are managing challenges like labor shortages and rising costs by investing in technology and automation. Carmela emphasizes the importance of freezer-to-oven solutions that reduce in-store complexity while maintaining product quality. David and Carmela also touch on sustainability, digital traceability, and what it takes to scale innovation efficiently while still responding to changing consumer expectations. From tariffs and supply chain disruption to TikTok-driven cravings and protein-rich croissants, this episode paints a nuanced picture of a bakery sector in the middle of rapid evolution. Whether you’re on the retail side, in manufacturing, or part of the broader foodservice ecosystem, you’ll walk away with practical insights—and a clearer view of what’s rising in bakery. Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at podcast. To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: We're excited to see you at #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans, June 1-3. You can register for this amazing event here: Check out all of our upcoming webinars here: /episode/index/show/0d2c0aa2-7166-430a-af32-f3e6bacd8138/id/35955030