The Checkout: Grocery Nerds

In this episode, Seth Goldman and Les Szabo discuss the Purpose Pledge, a framework for defining and operationalizing purpose-led business practices. They explore how this initiative promotes stakeholder capitalism, internalizes externalities, and aims to shift business norms towards sustainability and social responsibility.As Chief Strategy & Impact Officer at Dr. Bronner's, Les Szabo works across organizational planning, philanthropy, international markets, and e-commerce to support mission-aligned growth and long-term impact. He also serves on the company's Board of Directors.Seth Goldman is former Beyond Meat Executive Chair and the current Co-founder of JUST Ice Tea, a mission-driven company offering organic, real-brewed, just sweet enough tea. Their commitment to organic and fair trade helps provide a more just, healthier way of life for our farmers and our planet, and healthier options for consumers. JUST Ice Tea was created after learning of the discontinuation of Honest Tea, which he co-founded and led to global scale.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Kara Rubin shares her extensive experience in the grocery industry, from her start at Whole Foods to her work supporting emerging brands and developing supply chains. She discusses the evolution of food retail, category management, talent development, and the importance of community and mutual support in the industry.Kara is driven by a fascination with food and how it is grown, raised and distributed; a deeply held desire to bring better, cleaner food to more and more people; and nearly 15 years of strategic and operational food retail experience. Kara has deep roots guiding retail strategy and working with brands ranging across the category spectrum.Kara is a food and retail industry veteran who is the Vice President of Brand & Product Strategy at JUST Goods, Inc., producer of sustainably packaged and responsibly sourced consumer products, including JUST water. Prior to joining JUST, she spent a decade leading one of the largest regional business units for Whole Foods Market in the United States. Kara has also done independent strategic advisory work with clean-label brands and natural-channel retailers.Holding degrees from both Duke University and the University of Michigan Business School (now the Stephen M. Ross School of Business),Kara serves on the Corporate Advisory Council of Just Capital, a nonprofit that measures corporate performance based on the public’s definition of just behavior. She’s been an advisor to the Rockefeller Foundation on the topic of food waste and she is a guest lecturer at the NYU College of Food, Nutrition and Public Health and the Institute for Culinary Education.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Andrea Abel, Executive Director of Farm Share Austin, discusses the organization's efforts to improve food justice in Austin, Texas. She highlights the challenges of funding cuts, the importance of local farming, and innovative programs to increase food access for underserved communities.Andrea joined Farmshare Austin as executive director in January 2017, but her hands have been in the soil and her heart in food and agriculture for most of her life. Throughout Andrea’s career, she has focused on creating community sustainability in a variety of nonprofit and government positions. Farmshare unites Andrea’s passions for ensuring that food is a human right by implementing community-driven, collaborative problem-solving and leveraging collective impact. In addition to her role at Farmshare, Andrea currently is an appointee to the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board and has been deeply involved in the creation and implementation of the 2024 Austin-Travis County Food Plan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ann Larson shares her journey from grocery store worker to author, revealing the hidden realities of the grocery industry, labor struggles, and potential reforms. Discover insights on corporate power, worker solidarity, and how consumers can support change.Ann Larson’s writing on education, debt, and low-wage work has appeared in The New Republic, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Fast Company, and The Nation, among other publications. She is author of Cleanup on Aisle Five: Essential Work, Poverty Wages, and the View from Behind the Supermarket Register, and coauthor of Can’t Pay Won’t Pay: The Case for Economic Disobedience and Debt Abolition and is a fellow with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alicia Kennedy, a food writer with a background in food production, discusses her journey from running a vegan bakery to becoming a renowned food critic and author. The conversation explores food systems, veganism, cultural history, and her latest book, offering deep insights into food politics and personal stories.Alicia Kennedy publishes a twice-weekly food and culture newsletter called From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy ()aliciakennedy.news), as well as the digital magazine Tomato Tomato (tomatotomato.xyz). She’s the author most recently of On Eating: The Making and Unmaking of My Appetites, a memoir of food and place.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this in-depth interview, Aaron Henderson, CEO of Sweetleaf Stevia, shares his extensive experience in the grocery and CPG industry, focusing on natural sweeteners, supply chain intricacies, and evolving consumer trends like GLP-1. Discover insights on sourcing, product innovation, industry challenges, and the future of natural sweeteners in a rapidly changing market. Aaron Henderson is the current CEO of Wisdom Natural Brands, makers of SweetLeaf Stevia, with 25+ years of leadership experience driving growth across marketing, sales and brand strategy. As former CEO of The Touch Agency, Aaron worked on 200+ brands and saw 38 acquisitions. Co-founder of Midnight Venture Partners, a leading early stage venture capital fund focused on better-for-you brands.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A deep look at Mamdani's plan to open publicly subsidized grocery stores in New York City and how the five-store, discounted core-basket model would be funded. Comparison with military commissaries and how that public subsidy model might differ. Discussion of industry pressures like inflation and SNAP cuts that shaped the idea. Examination of operations, labor protections, community-driven assortment, and possible risks.

This interview with Adnan Durrani and Paul Turbeville explores the journey of Saffron Road, innovation in frozen foods, and navigating the competitive grocery landscape with a focus on health, authenticity, and strategic growth.Adnan Durrani has been a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist for almost 30 years. He founded Vermont Pure Water Company(now part of Primo Brands , NYSE) and was a partner in Stonyfield Farms, Inc, which was sold initially to Dannon in 2001 (now part of Lactalis). He was also a principal of Delicious Brands, Inc., which he scaled, with the financial backing of Carl Icahn, to become the 5th largest cookie brand in the U.S. Adnan has been recognized as one of the entrepreneurs who engineered “20 Ideas That Changed The Way The World Does Business”.Paul Turbeville is Chief Executive Officer of Saffron Road, a leading brand of premium frozen ethnic meals and snacks. He joined the company as President in November 2024 and was named CEO in January 2025. He is responsible for overall company strategy and leadership across sales, marketing, operations, and customer relationships, with a focus on reigniting growth, strengthening the brand’s position in the marketplace, and helping the founder realize his vision for the company.Prior to Saffron Road, Paul served as Chief Commercial Officer for Village Gourmet, a premium protein and gourmet products platform with five operating companies in the charcuterie, gourmet products, and fresh sausage categories. He joined in 2021 and led commercial strategy, sales, and marketing until November 2024.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Jones, attorney and founder of Center Market Strategies who leads the Main Street Competition Coalition, brings antitrust and food policy experience. He traces the Robinson-Patman Act history. He explains how bargaining power and supplier tactics favor large retailers. He describes threats to independents, where they still succeed, and the coalition's push for enforcement and legal reforms to restore competition.

Aldi's success is driven by operational efficiency, not market magic. In this episode, we explore Aldi's rise in the US grocery market, analyzing its low-cost, highly efficient business model rooted in post-war German austerity and modern operational excellence. Discover how Aldi's strategies are reshaping American grocery shopping amidst economic turmoil.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.