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INFRA's Buyer's Desk is hosted by Chris Sorensen, Promotions Program Manager & Angela Bozo, Director of Member Programs at INFRA. They will guide listeners through quick snapshots on Natural Food trends & insights, interviews with INFRA member store buyers & Natural Food brand founders, and conversations with INFRA staff experts to discuss the month's topic.
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Marketing Matters: Crafting Your Strategy
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Brought to you by RTI. Join us in this month's episode as we dive into the world of marketing! First, SPINS expert Jim gives a run down on how SPINS can help independent retailers differentiate themselves. Next, Chris has an engaging discussion with Tina and Amanda from the Natural Products Marketer Podcast, exploring the vital role of digital stra…
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Brought to you by JonnyPops & Painterland Sister's Skyr Yogurt. In celebration of Independent Retailer Month, we're exploring a unique strength of independent retailers: local sourcing! First, SPINS expert Jim Olson delves into how local sourcing resonates with values-oriented consumers. Then, Chris and Jim join forces in a discussion with Allison …
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In this bonus episode, Chris takes to the KeHE Holiday Show floor to chat with lots of INFRA brand partners about the latest innovations in natural foods! First, Chris chats with founder Haley from Actual Veggies about innovation in the veggie burger space. Next, he has a conversation with Addy about GoMacro’s exciting new flavors and compostable p…
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Making Waves with Sea Food Sustainability
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This episode is brought to you by Klean Kanteen & Safe Catch. In this month’s episode we’re diving deep into sea food sustainability! SPINS expert Jim Olson gives us the run down on CPG brands making responsible sea food happen - including products in the tin fish and seaweed snack categories. Next, Angela and INFRA Fresh Retail Consultant Matt Ols…
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AAPI Innovators in the Retail Space
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In honor of Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Chris and Angela are sitting down with AAPI retailers and brand founders making waves in the natural foods space. Chris interviews Justin Gill, Founder & CEO of Bachan’s, about the meaning behind Bachan’s octopus logo, not sacrificing ingredient cost for quality, and secret family recipes.…
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In this special bonus episode, Angela and Jim take the Expo West show floor to give you exclusive interviews with your favorite brands! Jim chats with Seth Goldman from Eat the Change about sourcing from Mozambique and democratizing organic and Fair Trade products. Angela gets the scoop from Christy Goldsby from Honey Mamas about the benefits of co…
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This episode is brought to you by Compostic, GOODSAM, and Lundberg Family Farms. This month, Chris and Angela celebrate Earth Month with two amazing guests! Angela sits down with Shannon Holtzman, Purchasing and Merchandising Manager at Leg Up Farmer’s Market, to talk re-usable bags, the labor (and love) of local sourcing, and Shannon’s career jour…
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This episode is brought to you by NOW Foods and Here we Flo. In this month's episode, Chris and Angela explore all things wellness! First, our resident SPINS expert Jim Olson gives us the run down on wellness trends to keep an eye on - including performance nutrition and woman-focused wellness. Chris chats with Dan Chapman, CEO of Redd Remedies and…
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From Soil to Shelf: Black Voices in Farming
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This episode is brought to you by Partake Foods, EvoHemp, and Ecos. In this month's episode, Angela and Chris hear from black farmers breaking barriers in the agricultural and natural foods industries. Chris and Category Manager Kim Route chat with Angela Dawson, Co-Founder, President & CEO of 40 Acre Co-op about her trajectory into farming, the im…
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This episode brought to you by SaveNaturally, Gaia Herbs, and Our Home. We’re kicking off season 2 of The Buyer’s Desk with a deep dive into trade shows! In this special cross over episode, Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith from New Hope Network’s The Natural List Podcast give us the inside scoop on what retailers can expect from Newtopia Now in 20…
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EXTRAS: Brand Buzz at Expo East 2023 (Part 2: SPINS Steals the Mic)
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In another exclusive bonus episode from INFRA’s time at Expo East, SPINS expert Jim Olson talks dairy alternatives with the Latvian-inspired cottage cheese ice cream bar brand Speka. He also chats with AcreMade, whose pea-protein based egg substitute targets plant-curious consumers. Kim from Prime Roots talks about the many health benefits of cogi,…
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EXTRAS: Brand Buzz at Expo East 2023 (Part 1)
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In this extra special bonus episode recorded on the Expo East trade show floor, Category Manager Kim Route and Member Implementation Specialist Rayna Kittredge chat with brands like Chocxo, the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA), Lola Snacks, Uglies Kettle Chips, JonnyPops, Toom Garlic Dip, Verb Energy Bars, WildWonder, Vista Hermosa, …
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Make Room for Shrooms in your Stocking
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This episode is brought to you by Mindright, Wise Bar, and Rebbl. It’s time to make room for shrooms in your stocking this holiday season! In this episode, our resident SPINS expert Jim Olson takes you on a tour of the latest mushroom product trends we’re seeing on shelves. Next, we chat with INFRA Member Adam Stark at Debra’s Natural Gourmet about…
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This episode is brought to you by ECRS, Tey Art Wholesale, and Fentiman’s. In this month’s episode, we’re talking about one of the “P”s of Category Management - product mix. Chris chats with Andy Oelrich from MaMa Jean’s Natural Market and Deli about space planning. Next, we’ll hear from CADIA about how to decide on product mix when building a succ…
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This episode is brought to you by BioK Probiotics, Cleveland Kitchen, and Health-Ade Kombucha. We’re back to talk everything fermentation – from Kimchi and Kombucha to a new consumer product inspired by the Mexican fermented beverage Tepache. Chris sits down with INFRA Director of Purchasing Nick Auzenne and Fresh Retail Consultant Michael Paynic t…
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Maximizing Promotional Lift Through Strategic Merchandising
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1:16:41
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Chris and Angela are back with another fantastic episode of The Buyer’s Desk Podcast! On today’s episode, we dive into promotional merchandising including endcaps, nesting table displays, case stacks, side stacks, and even an eleven-foot tree of broccoli meticulously stacked. Kicking things off we have Jim, our resident SPINS expert joined by Taylo…
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Preserving Biodiversity to Safeguard Soil Health
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Chris and Angela return to The Buyer’s Desk to dig into biodiversity and soil health. First up, Jim Olson from SPINS brings his valuable data-supported findings focusing on brands that are highlighting the soil health aspect of their lines. Next up, Angela sits down for an insightful conversation with Noel Stehly of Stehly’s Farms Market where he b…
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This episode is brought to you by Grandy Organics, GoMacro, and Alec’s Ice Cream. July means celebrating independence, and independents! Join Chris and Angela this month as we discuss all things independent business. Jim Olson is joined by special guest Simon Cutts, Director – Retail Partners, SPINS. Then, INFRA President & CEO Pat Sheridan sits do…
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EXTRAS: The Buyer's Desk at the 2023 INFRA Tabletop Event
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Join host Chris on this bonus episode of The Buyer's Desk as he explores the 2023 INFRA Tabletop Buying Event. He chats with exhibiting vendors, INFRA Business Partners, INFRA Members, tries 0% ABV gin, and more! Join us on the show floor!By Independent Natural Food Retailers Association
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This episode is brought to you by Bon AppéSweet, Vibrant Health, and Hella Cocktail Co. Join Chris and Angela at The Buyer’s Desk as we celebrate the vibrance and variance of our community and the communities of our members. Jim Olson, SPINS gets things going with data insights around BIPOC-owned brands, customer values, and sales trends between th…
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This episode is brought to you by Equal Exchange, Inesscents, and Tony’s Chocolonely. Chris and Angela return to The Buyer’s Desk to dig into fair trade! Jim Olson, SPINS gets the show going with data insights focused on fair trade products, certifications, and sales trends. Angela sits down with Emily Kanter, Second-Gen Co-Owner of INFRA Member Ca…
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This episode is brought to you by Three Farmers, MegaFood, and World Centric. Welcome to this month’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk with Chris and Angela! In honor of Earth Month, this episode is about all things sustainability. Jim Olson, SPINS kicks things off with data insights around sustainable packaging and consumer perceptions. Chris then sits…
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This episode is brought to you by Nuts for Cheese and Urban Moonshine. Join Chris and Angela at The Buyer’s Desk as we discuss women in grocery on this special Women’s History Month episode! Jim Olson, SPINS starts us off with grocery insights around women-owned brands, then we move into a wonderful interview with the dynamic, always-inspiring Cher…
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Regenerative Organic: The New Gold Standard?
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This episode is brought to you by Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed and Ancient Nutrition. Sit down at The Buyer’s Desk with Chris and Angela as they kick things off with Jim Olson, SPINS to talk retail insights around regen ag and moves us right to Angela and INFRA Member owner Mark Squire from Good Earth Natural Foods, CA with a robust conversation …
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This episode is brought to you by Om Mushrooms, Tia Lupita Foods, and FILLO’S. Chris & Angela kick off the inaugural episode with Jim Olson, SPINS On-site Account Manager for INFRA with a look back at insights from 2022 and a look forward to trends for 2023. Angela interviews Thomas Barstow of Guido's Fresh Marketplace to discuss their buying strat…
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