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Here’s a recap of The Produce Moms podcast episodes from July 2021.
July featured a collection of family-driven businesses and educators focused on promoting healthier eating and lifestyles. It also wrapped up our Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) series, which highlighted FCS educators, advocates and students working to shape the field.
With a growing shortage of FCS educators, Nancy Bock, Executive Director of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, is working to show new teachers the range of career possibilities in the field. Longtime publisher Goodheart-Willcox supports that effort by supplying up-to-date instructional resources and materials to help educators adapt as the discipline evolves.
LA Dunn, founder of Black Girls Eat, grew up in New York in a household where vegetables were always present. As she matured and experienced changes in her health, she researched plant-centered nutrition and worked with her doctors to reshape her diet. Her education background led her to share that knowledge, and she now coaches and supports women in adopting more plant-forward eating habits.
Packaging is often overlooked at the grocery store, even though it has a measurable impact on the environment. Kaci Komstadius of Sage Fruit Company applied her low-waste lifestyle principles at work to improve produce packaging. Sage Fruit is introducing more earth-friendly options—such as bio-degradable bags for organic cherries—so consumers can make better choices with minimal effort or added cost.
At HMC Farms, Drew and Chelsea Ketelsen have focused on both technology and variety development. Drew, a former civil engineer, helped rebuild the farm’s table grape operations and introduced innovations in farm management and harvest technology. HMC also developed a proprietary plum variety called “Plumsicle,” prized for its candy-like sweetness and marketed as a signature offering of the family operation.
Mariani Dried Fruits, now led by the fourth generation of the Mariani family, emphasizes family health and sustainable practices. Under Natalie Mariani Kling, the company partnered with Treasure 8 to preserve produce without preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Their process locks in nutrients, flavor and texture, and repurposes byproducts—such as turning prune pits into nutrient-dense ingredients—reducing waste and improving sustainability.
July 2021 Podcast Episode 169
As the FCS field evolves, so do the resources available to current and future educators.
Although support for FCS educators is growing, access to updated resources remains inconsistent. Nancy Bock of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is collaborating with Goodheart-Willcox Publishing to expand and modernize instructional materials. Goodheart-Willcox, active in the field since the 1970s, helps recruit and support educators, builds partnerships, attends conferences and sponsors awards to strengthen the FCS community.
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July 2021 Podcast Episode 170
Making plant-based eating accessible for community members.
LA Dunn founded Black Girls Eat after discovering how plant-based nutrition improved her own health and expanded her food options. With a background in education, she began coaching women through shopping, cooking and lifestyle shifts to reach healthier goals. Black Girls Eat focuses on practical, attainable steps that make plant-forward eating approachable and enjoyable.
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July 2021 Podcast Episode 171
Eco-friendly, practical produce packaging for companies and consumers.
The “grab-and-go” trend demands convenient packaging, but convenience often comes at an environmental cost. Kaci Komstadius brought lessons from her low-waste lifestyle into her role at Sage Fruit. The company is developing sustainable packaging—like Bio-Able bags that degrade faster than conventional plastic—to reduce environmental impact while keeping options affordable and user-friendly for shoppers.
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July 2021 Podcast Episode 172
Modernizing farm management and introducing a uniquely sweet fruit variety.
Drew Ketelsen brought engineering skills to HMC Farms, revamping table grape operations and introducing agricultural technology and harvest innovations. HMC also develops proprietary varieties, including the Plumsicle—a notably sweet plum with a fruit punch flavor that the family markets exclusively and supports with a dedicated packing facility. The story of Plumsicle demonstrates how family farms combine innovation with hands-on collaboration.
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July 2021 Podcast Episode 173
New leadership advances preservation and sustainability without artificial additives.
Mariani Dried Fruits, now in its fourth generation, remains family-centered under leaders like Natalie Mariani Kling. The company partnered with Treasure 8 to preserve products while maintaining cellular integrity—locking in nutrients, flavor, texture and color—reducing the need for preservatives or added sweeteners. The collaboration also finds sustainable uses for byproducts, such as converting prune pits into nutrient-rich ingredients rather than waste.
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To see a list of all past episodes, visit www.theproducemoms.com/podcast
