NEWARK, DE - In the world of media, podcasts are taking over as one of the newest and most evolving mediums. With shows on almost anything you could imagine offering tips and techniques, it's only made sense our produce industry developed its own podcasts, and Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Technology and expert on rising tech needs and trends, was there to help lead the charge. After two successful seasons, Estes is back to launch her third season of the popular Takes on Tech podcast for our listening pleasure.

“Technology is not the end point,” said Estes. “If we’re truly being innovative, we’re not just creating a tool to do a job, we’re creating a solution to a challenge. The guests we have are talking about how the solutions they’re developing are changing the entire way our industry can function—that opens up a lot of opportunity, even beyond the immediate need.”

The podcast invites guests from across the industry, as well as outside of the industry, to discuss the tools and trends that are emerging in fresh produce and delving into challenges that could be coming our way. According to a press release, each episode will dive deeper into a variety of topics that affect the industry and how the produce industry can evolve to meet the soon-to-be challenges it faces.

Some of the topics covered on the latest season include tackling water conservation, personalized nutrition, and agtech around the globe in countries like Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. With so many moving pieces of the industry, there is no shortage of interesting topics, but the major differentiator for Estes’ podcast is that she and her guests are not aiming to change the tools that are used to address these issues, but to change the industry itself.

“It’s one thing to say ‘here’s what’s possible’ and I think that a lot of technology conversations thrive in that space,” continued Estes. “But what we’re hoping to do is to say ‘here’s what’s happening.’ We’re further along than we sometimes give ourselves credit for. It’s important to share those stories not just in our own industry circles but with our consumers as well.”

The first episode of the season features Dr. Alexa Lamm, Associate Professor of Ag Leadership and Communication at the University of Georgia, as well as Jackie Roberts, Chief Sustainability Officer at AppHarvest, and Dr. Sarah Federman, Research Scientist at Plenty. Together they will discuss controlled environment agriculture and all that it has to offer.

Takes on Tech’s upcoming six episodes are sponsored by Driscoll’s and Sensitech, and is just one way that PMA is providing continued insights into the impacts of technology on both the produce and floral industries.

To listen along with the podcast, click here.

How will media continue to play a role in the evolving produce industry? Keep a tab up for AndNowUKnow as we dive into all things fresh produce.

Produce Marketing Association