Fresh Take with IDDBA – Details, episodes & analysis

What's In Store - Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel with John Stefanik (Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Ditsch USA)

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (What's in Store), Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with John Stefanik, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ditsch USA, for a lively conversation about pretzel craft, category innovation, and what's next for bakery.

John breaks down what separates a good pretzel from a great one—from authentic dough and the classic caustic bath to the behind-the-scenes time and temperature details that create a truly memorable bite. He also shares why fermentation is one of the most underrated (and most fascinating) parts of the bakery process—where science, chemistry, and artistry all collide.

Looking ahead, John talks about new growth opportunities, including a new facility and a developing R&D lab—plus how his team is thinking about pushing the boundaries of "what a pretzel can be," with plans to bring fresh ideas to #IDDBA2026 in Orlando, June 7-9.

You can check out the Ditsch TikTok that John mentioned @goodbite_de and check out posts with hundreds of thousands of views!

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and membership, visit IDDBA.org.

What's in Store for 2026: Heather Prach and Kat Shanahan on the 2026 Trends & a New Era for What's in Store

For December, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with IDDBA's new VP of Membership and Marketing, Kat Shanahan, to debut the 2026 What's in Store trends—earlier than ever before and now available free to all IDDBA members. Together they walk through five big themes that cut across dairy, deli, and bakery.

Heather and Kat dig into why convenience now has an emotional core, explore how "clean" has elevated from a trend to a baseline expectation, and why the fresh perimeter is so well-positioned to win on simple ingredient decks and transparent labels.

In addition, Kat shares big news about what's ahead for the show and what you can look forward to in 2026. Get ready for more segments like The Executive Aisle, with IDDBA President and CEO David Haaf, as well as new segments for a new year!

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

Check out the What's in Store 2026 Trends Report today!
https://www.iddba.org/education/trainings/whats-in-store

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Trends2026 #ConsumerTrends #FreshPerimeter #Dairy #Deli #Bakery #MealSolutions #CleanLabel #UltraProcessedFoods #HealthyIndulgence #Protein #GutHealth #GlobalFlavors #Sampling #RetailTrends #FoodRetail #Supermarket #Grocery #FoodService #Leadership #Innovation #IDDBA

Fresh Leadership: Ken Wicker on Retail Grocery Trends (Senior Vice President of Fresh Foods, Festival Foods)

For March, Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, speaks with Ken Wicker, Senior Vice President of Fresh Foods at Festival Foods, in an engaging conversation where he shares insights on fresh foods, leadership, and the evolving grocery landscape in 2025.

With decades of retail experience, Ken discusses how consumer demand for convenience, high-quality fresh foods, and personalized shopping experiences is shaping the industry. He and Whitney explore the commitment to scratch-made bakery, prepared meal solutions, and innovative merchandising strategies that set Festival Foods apart.

Ken also shares his take on emerging challenges in retail, including inflation, shifting consumer behaviors, and the increasing role of technology in forecasting, labor management, and guest engagement. Throughout the conversation, his leadership philosophy shines—focusing on team development, adaptability, and collaboration as key drivers of success in today's grocery industry.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Dairy #Deli #Bakery
#Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService #RetailTrends
#FreshFoods #Leadership #Innovation
#Trends2025 #FoodRetail #Convenience

Navigating 2025: Tim Powell Breaks Down Challenges & Opportunities (Managing Principal, Foodservice IP)

As 2025 unfolds, dive into this episode of the What's in Store Podcast! Join Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she chats with Tim Powell, Managing Principal at Foodservice IP, to discuss key trends and challenges shaping retail groceries, convenience stores, and foodservice in the year ahead.

With over 20 years of experience in market research and consulting, Tim shares insights on navigating economic pressures, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving industry roles. He and Whitney explore the impact of inflation on dining habits, Gen Z's influence on foodservice, and strategies for balancing costs while maintaining menu innovation. They also discuss the growing importance of loyalty programs, delivery services, and the resilience of convenience store formats.

Listeners will gain insights into managing food price fluctuations, supply chain volatility, and labor market pressures, while learning how to engage consumers through sustainability and brand purpose. The conversation offers a concise look at the factors influencing foodservice in 2025 and beyond.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Dairy #Deli #Bakery
#Grocery #FoodService #ConvenienceStore
#Trends2025 #GenZ #Innovation #SupplyChain
#FoodTrends #FoodRetail

The Product Information Revolution: Insights from Scott Brown (Director of Global Strategy, 1WorldSync)

As 2025 begins, enjoy this bonus episode of the What's in Store Podcast! Join Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, in her conversation with Scott Brown, Director of Global Strategy at 1WorldSync, discussing the intersection of technology, data, and the grocery industry.

In this episode, Scott shares how 1WorldSync powers IDDBA's Digital Catalog, helping members showcase their products, stay competitive, and meet evolving consumer demands. They explore the dramatic shifts in technology and consumer behavior, from pre- and post-COVID trends to the growing importance of consistent, data-driven product information for e-commerce, supply chain efficiency, and retail success.

Scott also discusses some exciting new innovations poised to revolutionize product packaging and transform how businesses interact with their consumers by 2027. With his 20+ years of experience in master data governance and retail strategy, Scott offers actionable insights into how technology is reshaping the future of grocery and foodservice.

Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or industry innovator, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and a glimpse into the tech trends shaping 2025 and beyond.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA's Digital Catalog? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

For more about IDDBA's Digital Catalog, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/why-join/digital-catalog

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Dairy #Deli #Bakery
#Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService
#DigitalCatalog #Innovation #ProductInformation
#Technology #Trends2025 #Ecommerce

The Future is Better Together: 2025 Trends with Heather Prach (Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, IDDBA)

We're kicking off Season 4 of the What's in Store Podcast with an exciting conversation! Join Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she sits down with Heather Prach, Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, for an exclusive look at the 2025 Industry Trends shaping the dairy, deli, and bakery sectors.

Guided by the theme "Better Together," Whitney and Heather explore the five key trends for 2025: Chop Chop; Live, Laugh, Luxury; Endless Possibilities; Less is More; and Uniquely You. From emerging consumer behaviors to innovative product strategies, they dive into how these trends are reshaping grocery retail and foodservice, offering actionable insights for businesses of all sizes.

Heather shares how IDDBA leverages data from trusted partners like Circana, NIQ, and Euromonitor to inform these annual trends, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful throughout the year.

Whether you're in retail, supply, or foodservice innovation, this episode is packed with expert insights, trend analysis, and practical takeaways to prepare you for 2025 and beyond.

We're always looking for fresh voices and perspectives on the podcast. If you have a story, trend, or expertise to share, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@iddba.org and let's make it happen.

Tune in for an engaging start to our fourth season—it's time to embrace the future, Better Together!

For more about the What's in Store publication, or to order yours today, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

#Dairy #Deli #Bakery
#Grocery #Supermarket #FoodService
#Trends2025 #BetterTogether #Innovation

A Special Season Finale: David Haaf (President & CEO, IDDBA) Talks 2025's Challenges and Opportunities

We're wrapping up the third season of the What's in Store Podcast with a bang! Join Whitney Atkins, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, as she sits down with our very own President and CEO, David Haaf, for a lively and insightful conversation about the future of the dairy, deli, and bakery industry. With the excitement of IDDBA's 60th anniversary celebration at #IDDBA2024 in Houston still fresh, they discuss what's on the horizon for the association, its members, and the broader grocery and foodservice sectors.

From hot consumer trends to the evolving needs of buyers and sellers, David offers expert insights with a personal touch, breaking down how IDDBA is tackling challenges like turnover, professional development, and market consolidation. Plus, hear about the growing influence of convenience stores, foodservice, and international markets—and how they're redefining the industry.

Whether you're in retail, supply, or foodservice innovation, this episode has something for everyone—fun anecdotes, professional insights, and actionable takeaways to prepare you for 2025 and beyond. And here's a bonus: we're always looking to feature fresh voices and perspectives on the podcast. If you have a story, trend, or expertise to share, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us (podcast@iddba.org) and let's make it happen.

Tune in for an engaging finale to our third season and get ready to take on the future with a smile. See you in 2025!

For more about IDDBA and membership:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

For more about #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans, June 1-3, 2025:
https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/iddba-2025

For November, IDDBA's Vice President of Marketing and Membership, Whitney Atkins, is joined in conversation by IDDBA Education Coordinator Jack Ince, discussing the big trends that are going to impact our industry this holiday season, with more than a few surprise data points that could help your business find greater success as 2024 comes to a close.

Learn more about What's in Store, our trends publication, here:
https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store

The IDDBA Webinar Series is a free offering to anyone interested, but our archives our only available to IDDBA members; learn more here:
https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/webinars#featured-webinar

IDDBA's annual trade show heads to New Orleans, June 1-3; learn more about #IDDBA2025 here:
https://www.iddba.org/iddba-show/about/iddba-2025

Have a question or comment, or an idea for a future episode? Write to us today at podcast@iddba.org.

In a fun and informative conversative, IDDBA's Whitney Atkins (Vice President of Marketing and Membership) is joined in this episode by Marco Hernandez, the Director of Technical Sales for Miller Milling, and part of the Wheat Foods Council. As Marco puts it, "Flour is magic" and with us nearly every day, and he urges us not to underestimate how a cookie might change our life.

He shares a little about his 34 years in the industry and gets into the details so you can learn how not all flour is created equal, the six classes of wheat (Soft Red Winter, Hard Red Winter, Hard Red Spring, Hard White, Soft White, and Durum), the applications for each, and how choosing not just the right class of flour, but also the right specific flour is critical to success in the bakery industry, where consistent output is such a challenge.

Learn more about the Wheat Foods Council, here:
https://www.wheatfoods.org/about-us/

As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive!

For our September episode of the What's in Store Podcast, IDDBA's Vice President of Marketing & Membership, Whitney Atkins, is joined by Dave Gonnella from Gonnella Baking Company. They discuss the value of numerous generations of employees in the workplace, branding and rebranding, innovations and navigating trends, food service at retail, and how Gonnella has kept things fresh for 140 years!

For more on trends, be sure to check out IDDBA's What's in Store publication, updated monthly!
https://www.iddba.org/trendscenter/trends-research/whats-in-store

You can email education@iddba.org for more information about the programs discussed in this episode. As always, feel free to email podcast@iddba.org with any comments or ideas for future episodes that you'd like us to receive!