The Fresh Ideas Show

Fruitnet Podcast Network
  • 3.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell host Fruitnet's news podcast, which features exclusive interviews with fresh produce business leaders, expert analysis of market trends, and the latest stories shaping the future of fresh fruit and veg. Stay up to date with key developments and deepen your understanding of how fresh produce is produced, distributed, sold, and marketed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. APR 23 ·  BONUS

    How can the fresh produce business boost demand?

    What can the fruit and vegetable business do to boost consumption of its products? At its 25th annual meeting in Sicily, European association Freshfel Europe published a new manifesto that calls for all industry stakeholders to do their part in helping people to eat more produce. During the event, Fruitnet spoke to four people who are likely to play a major role in that renewed marketing effort: Jan Doldersum, chain and retail manager at Rijk Zwaan (Netherlands)Piedad Coscollá, head of marketing at Anecoop (Spain)Frédéric Rosseneu, group sustainability director at Greenyard and president at Freshfel Europe (Belgium)Philippe Binard, general delegate at Freshfel Europe (Belgium) This episode is brought to you by Dole, the number one name in global fresh produce. The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min

  2. MAR 31

    Keep calm and berry on

    For the latest episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Dole, hosts Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by Fresh Produce Journal editor Fred Searle as they look back on the Fruitnet Berry Congress – the world's leading event for the international berry business. Together, they talk about various highlights from the event, which brought together almost 300 people from across the global berry supply chain including retailers and suppliers. Listen in to learn what new developments in varieties, marketing, technology, and retail will mean for the future of the category. This episode is brought to you by Dole, platinum sponsor of the Fruitnet Berry Congress. The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min

  3. MAR 18 ·  BONUS

    The real reasons behind the rise of blueberries

    Why have blueberries become so popular, and what will the future bring for this rising star in the fresh produce department? It’s a product that’s undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a niche, seasonal fruit into a year-round staple and one of the fastest-growing categories in fresh produce. In this exclusive interview, Fruitnet’s Mike Knowles sits down with Cort Brazelton, CEO of Fall Creek, to talk about the past, present and future of blueberries. Together, they explore the key drivers behind the fruit’s surge in popularity, and the challenges that lie ahead for what remains a rapidly growing industry. This episode is brought to you by Fruitnet Berry Congress, the leading event for the international berry business. The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min

  4. MAR 11 ·  BONUS

    ‘Some fruit supply chains may no longer be viable’

    In this latest episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Kanzi, Mike Knowles talks to logistics expert and former Maersk Line executive Thomas Eskesen about the impact of the Iran conflict on the international fruit trade. How bad is the situation right now? And what impact is it likely to have on the fresh produce business in the longer term? Thomas draws on decades of experience to give us his thoughts on what it all means. This episode is brought to you by Kanzi, the apple with the Power to Go! More info at kanziapple.com The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  5. MAR 2

    Are fruit and veg trendy at last?

    On the latest episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Kanzi, hosts Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell consider whether consumers really are starting to see fresh produce as trendy. After all, as more and more fruit and veg make an appearance on the catwalk, there’s a definite sense that health is very much à la mode. Plus, Mike and Maura discuss attempts to grow strawberries without energy from fossil fuels, Zespri’s quest to become the world’s healthiest fruit brand, Albert Heijn’s decision to give its carrots a haircut, and a major funding boost for a major orchard AI developer. This episode is brought to you by Kanzi, the apple with the Power to Go! More info at kanziapple.com The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min

  6. 12/01/2025 ·  BONUS

    How to keep Fruit Logistica fresh and relevant

    In this bonus episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Kanzi, hosts Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by David Ruetz and Mario Tobias of Messe Berlin to talk about their flagship fresh produce trade show, Fruit Logistica. Fruit Logistica remains a cornerstone of the fresh produce industry. Each February, the Berlin event becomes a hub for producers, distributors, tech innovators, and start-ups looking to connect, learn, and drive their business forward in the fresh produce business. Now, as Fruit Logistica looks to the future, it is adapting to the needs of younger generations, while maintaining its focus on offering communities, content, and commerce. This episode is brought to you by Kanzi, the apple with the Power to Go! The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  7. 10/21/2025

    Asia’s appeal, apple and pear trends, and Europe’s worker scandal

    In Fruitnet's latest episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Fruit Logistica, hosts Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by Fruitnet Asia’s John Hey, who talks about the latest edition of Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong. and discusses the big opportunities that exist for fresh produce suppliers in Asia. Plus, Mike and Maura discuss the latest trends in Europe’s apple and pear business, as well as a concerning new documentary film that exposes the potential exploitation of an estimated two million undocumented migrant workers in the EU. This episode is brought to you by Fruit Logistica, the world's leading fresh produce trade fair. More info at fruitlogistica.com The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  8. 08/08/2025

    Summer sales, blueberries or bust, and magic magnets

    In Fruitnet's latest episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Alegra, hosts Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell explore the latest trends in fresh produce – including summer marketing promotions, Peru’s blueberry export surge, and electromagnetic yield enhancement. Plus they have exclusive interviews with top industry figures, including Tom Mackintosh of Tesco, Gavin Phelps of Oddbox, Rozalin Aliramaei of Elenovations, and Mauro Laghi of Alegra. This episode is brought to you by Italian fruit company Alegra. More info at alegrait.com This episode is also brought to you by Vog, the Home of Apples. More info at vog.it Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maurafruitnet The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit www.fruitnet.com. You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  9. 06/17/2025

    Banana dramas, Brexit bridge-building, and a warm fuzzy feeling for the Kiwis

    In Fruitnet's first ever episode of the Fresh Ideas Show, brought to you by Port International, Mike and Maura discuss some big stories for the international fresh produce business – the impact of strikes on Latin America's banana industry, the potential removal of post-Brexit trade barriers, and a warm fuzzy feeling for some hard-working Kiwis. Plus… We hear from Maria Wieloch, one of Europe's leading retail buyers, about her company ICA's plan to boost demand for fruit and veg. We check in on Driscoll's as it opens its brand new UK headquarters. And what's that? Hamburg-based Port International has made a feature film to mark its 150th anniversary? That's fresh thinking! This episode is brought to you by Port International, the Hamburg-based company which supplies premium-quality fruit and vegetables from local and global sources, with maximum flexibility, 365 days a year. Follow Mike Knowles on LinkedIn @mikefruitnet Follow Maura Maxwell on LinkedIn @maurafruitnet The Fresh Ideas Show is a podcast about the fruit and veg business hosted by Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell. Part of the Fruitnet Podcast Network, the show is produced, recorded, and edited by Fruitnet Media International. Listen to the audio version of the Fresh Ideas Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player. Artwork by Simon Spreckley and Mai Luong for Fruitnet. For more great content that can help you grow your business, visit fruitnet.com. You can also be part of The Fresh Ideas Show! For editorial suggestions, contact editorial@fruitnet.com To sponsor or advertise in an episode, contact advertising@fruitnet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  • 9 Episodes

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About

Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell host Fruitnet's news podcast, which features exclusive interviews with fresh produce business leaders, expert analysis of market trends, and the latest stories shaping the future of fresh fruit and veg. Stay up to date with key developments and deepen your understanding of how fresh produce is produced, distributed, sold, and marketed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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