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PODCAST

The Buyer"s Desk

Independent Natural Food Retailers Association

Join Promotions Program Manager Chris Sorensen and Director of Member Programs Angela Bozo on The Buyer’s Desk, where they connect conscious brands, independent natural food retailers, and industry partners to dive into the most pressing topics in natural foods today. From regenerative agriculture to strategic merchandising, The Buyer’s Desk is your go-to resource for all things natural food retail!

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All Episodes

28:50

Merchandising Roundtable: Displays that Deliver

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/06/17

In this episode, Chris dives into effective merchandising techniques in a roundtable discussion with Promotions & Merchandising Advisory Specialists Rachel Keeler and Braden Flores. Learn how to up your merchandising game by simplifying your displays and using themes to enhance customer engagement.If you’re interested in learning more from the experts, be sure to attend our session at the INFRA Annual Conference – Core Principles of Effective Merchandising!

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35:05

Too Gouda to Miss: Cheese Merchandising with GFI

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/06/10

This episode is brought to you by Bear Maple.In this episode, Angela chats with Nathan Aldridge, Education & Team Member Enrichment Manager at Gourmet Foods International (GFI), about the ins and outs of cheese merchandising. They discuss how to curate an exciting set that’s full of customer favorites and enticing offerings, how to train staff to enhance customer service, and more.Next week, we'll have a roundtable discussion about merchandising with INFRA Promotions & Merchandising Advisory

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31:43

Merchandising that Moves with SPINS

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/06/03

We’re kicking off June’s merchandising theme with a data-driven conversation with SPINS Senior Retail Insights Manager Jim Olson! Hear from Jim about the many valuable ways you can use SPINS to improve your merchandising. From analyzing sales lift to understanding incremental sales, get ready for a month of tactical merchandising insights.Next week, we’re chatting with Nathan Aldridge, Education & Team Member Enrichment Manager at Gourmet Foods International about cheese merchandising!

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27:16

The Fight for Food Label Transparency with Cornucopia...

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/05/27

This episode is brought to you by Miyokos Creamery. In this episode of The Buyer’s Desk, hosts Chris Sorensen and Angela Bozo sit down with Kestrel Burcham, Policy Director at the Cornucopia Institute, to pull back the curtain on the food industry—and what it really means when a label says "organic" or "humane." Learn more about how the Cornucopia Institute’s consumer education efforts are reshaping the way consumers navigate animal welfare certifications.

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30:19

Inside Ethical Egg Farming with OrgaNick Pastures

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/05/20

This episode is brought to you by Charcutnuvo. In this episode of The Buyer’s Desk, host Chris Sorensen sits down with Nick Westby, founder of OrgaNick Pastures, for an eye-opening conversation about what really goes into ethical egg production. Nick shares how he got into sustainable farming, the current realities of the egg market, and why transparent labels are more important than ever.Next week, we chat with the Cornucopia Institute about their in-depth scorecards when it comes to meat, eggs,

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43:40

Prioritizing Animals and the Earth with Regenified

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/05/13

This episode is brought to you by Cookie Pal.In this episode, Angela chats with Kristine and Richard from Regenified, a certification company championing regenerative agriculture and animal welfare. They highlight how farmers, retailers, and consumers alike can build a more regenerative food system, and how Regenified creates an important starting point by allowing customers to make informed decisions about the animal products they buy.Next week, Chris sits down with Nick Westby, Founder and Owner

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22:27

Inside the Shift Toward Ethical Animal Products with...

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/05/06

This month, we’re delving into the complex topic of animal welfare and what it means for today’s conscious consumer. SPINS expert Jim Olson is here to kick off the conversation with a deep dive into the challenges posed by misleading label claims, the rise of regenerative organic certification, and the general consumer shift away from plant-based into ethical animal-based consumption.Next week, we’ll hear from Kristine and Richard from Regenified, a pioneering certification company that champions

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27:54

Elevating In-Store Coffee Experiences with Grace...

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/04/29

In this episode, Angela sits down with former co-worker, Grace Tara-Hilemanfrom New Seasons Market, for a rich conversation about the transformation of coffee culture—especially in grocery retail spaces. They dive into how coffee can be more than just a beverage; it can be an experience that builds community and brand loyalty.Grace brings her expert insight on crafting standout coffee programs, the power of passionate, educated staff, and why innovation is key in today’s competitive coffee

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19:15

Exclusive Roastery Tour & Brewing Tips with Peace Coffee

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/04/22

In Part 2 of our Behind-the-Scenes series with Peace Coffee, we take you inside the heart of the roastery for an exclusive tour with CEO Lee Wallace. Joining us as well is Head Brewer Jackson O’Brien, who shares what it really takes to craft the perfect cup. From bean sourcing and roasting to brewing techniques, Jackson breaks down the art and science behind every sip.Check out this video for a visual walk through of Peace Coffee's facilities. Next week, we’ll wrap up April’s coffee theme by

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31:06

Behind-the-Scenes: Peace Coffee Roastery Tour

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/04/15

In this week’s episode, Chris lets us tag along for an exclusive tour of Peace Coffee’s roasting facility, located in Minneapolis, MN! Hear from Lee Wallace, Peace Coffee CEO, and Jackson O’Brien, Head Brewer, about how Peace Coffee got their start, their commitment to Fair Trade, and how they build relationships with small-scale farmers.

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19:00

What's Brewing: Coffee Trends with SPINS

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/04/08

This month, we’re taking a deep dive into our favorite and most essential caffeinated beverage – coffee. Hear from SPINS Senior Retail Insights Manager Jim Olson about coffee’s sales performance at INFRA stores and developing trends in ready-to-drink and lactose-free. We also talk bulk coffee and how to distinguish between different coffee blends and origins, from a bright Ethiopian light roast to a dark French roast.Don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’ll chat with a coffee expert from

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06:56

INFRA's Retailer Zen Podcast

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/04/01

The Buyer’s Desk may (or may not) be ending its run, but don’t worry! Our INFRA podcast team has enlightening wisdom for managing store stressors in this extra zen episode. Tune in for tips on keeping your calm in any situation, even when dealing with that one customer’s toe fungus (ew) or answering questions about grass-fed salmon (since when do salmon eat grass?) So, grab your deep-breathing exercises, because this episode is full of peaceful, and perhaps questionable, advice.Oh, and just in case

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29:01

Business for a Greener Future with Bi-Rite Market

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/03/25

In this week's episode, Common Roots co-producers Hailey Craig and Madeleine Ware team up for a special crossover episode to chat with Sam Mogannam, second-generation owner of Bi-Rite Family of BusinessesLocated in San Francisco, CA, Bi-Rite has been a Bay Area staple for transparent, responsible foods since its founding in 1940. We get the inside scoop (pun intended) on how Sam’s culinary background has impacted his passion for sourcing high-quality ingredients, Bi-Rite's journey towards B-Corp

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25:06

Balancing Purpose & Growth with Purely Elizabeth

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/03/18

In this week’s episode, we discuss the B Corp certification with Elizabeth Stein, Founder of Purely Elizabeth. Tune in for an enlightening discussion about Purely Elizabeth’s early adoption of the B Corp Certification and how it has inspired them to be more pro-active when it comes to building and maintaining ethical business practices. Plus, get a sneak peek into Purely Elizabeth’s latest cookie granola line!Next week, we have a special cross-over episode with Common Roots where we’ll hear from Sam

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22:24

The Future of B Corp Certification with Ryan Honeyman

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/03/11

In this week’s episode, Angela Bozo sits down with Ryan Honeyman from Lift Economy, a self-proclaimed B-Corp “nerd” and expert who has guided numerous food and retail companies through the certification process. He touches on the three main components of B Corp certification, the recent shifts B Labs is making to its certification standards, and how creating more circularity in your business practices can lead to more efficient operations.Next week, we have a fascinating conversation with Elizabeth

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24:40

B Corp 101 with SPINS

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/03/04

In this week’s episode, Chris, Angela, and Jim take you through the B Corp Basics, exploring the certification’s impact on businesses, consumers, and the environment. Whether you view B-Corp as a tool for consumers to make informed shopping decisions or a way for companies to hold themselves accountable to their better business goals, stay tuned for fresh perspectives on B-Corp throughout the month of March.Next week, we’ll chat with Ryan Honeyman from LIFT Economy, a B Corp consulting firm, about

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31:08

The Art and Science of Category Management

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/02/25

This episode is brought to you by Equal Exchange.In this week’s episode of The Buyer’s Desk, Chris, Angela, and INFRA Category Manager Jared Peterson break down the nitty-gritty of effective category management – roundtable style! Listen in for tactical tips about how you can balance data with larger customer trends, use aesthetics to your advantage, and win in every category.Next month, we kick off our March B-Corp theme with a SPINS data discussion. Don’t miss it!

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33:36

Optimizing Your Category Management with KeHE

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/02/18

In this episode, Chris and Supply Agreement Assortment Lead Aprille Thurheimer sit down with KeHE Account Managers Kelly O’Neil, Jessica Williams, and Nick Mattheissen to explore how category management drives success in natural food retailing. They dive into how data insights like APL and item gap reports help retailers refine product assortments, plus the power of hyperlocal strategies and smart merchandising. Get the inside scoop on planograms, measuring reset success, and innovative product

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30:41

Building a Stronger Brand with Startup CPG

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/02/11

In this week’s episode, Angela chats with Daniel Scharff, the Founder of Startup CPG, about how startup brands can use category management knowledge to get their products into stores. They also discuss the importance of balancing product innovation with recognizability, the passion and curiosity buyers and brand innovators bring to CPG, and more.Tune in next week, where Chris will chat with our partners from KeHE about how they support retailers with category reviews and more.

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20:04

Elevate Your Product Mix with SPINS

The Buyer"s Desk ·

2025/02/04

In our first episode of this month’s series all about category management, SPINS Retail Insights Managers Jim Olson and Kyle Youngs give you a run down on all the ways SPINS can help retailers improve their category management. Whether you’re looking to differentiate your product mix, find new and trending items, or identify when it’s time to change your pricing, SPINS is here to help. Next week, Angela will chat with Daniel Scharff from Startup CPG about how startup brands navigate getting on the

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