HOLLYWOOD, FL - How did processed food companies come to dominate the grocery store? I spoke with New York Times investigative reporter and best-selling author of Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, Michael Moss, to learn just that, as well as even more on his talk at the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference.
The discussion, which takes place at 10 a.m. on March 4th, will see Michael delving into what the produce industry can do to take on the powerhouse that is the processed foods magnate, he says.
“I’m going to be talking to former insiders from the processed food industry who switched sides, and are now stealing some of their former strategies to help these better-for-you food startups that are heavily interested in using more produce in their products,” Michael tells me during our interview.
One of Michael’s main goals during his Southern Exposure discussion is to help produce companies revamp its marketing practices. We should not only be trying to increase traffic to the produce aisle, he says, but we should also be asking for more fruits in veggies in things such as frozen dinners or canned soups—items that can be found all across the grocery store.
Michael tells me he plans to also touch on former Lunchables creator Bob Drane, and his new partnership to put fresh salads sales into vending machines.
“Bob is helping [the company] to scale up, because that's one of the biggest problems for a new startup venture—they work until they fail,” Michael explains. “Bob is bringing sort of 'hardcore' marketing strategies and thinking to help a better-for-you product like that, and I’ll be talking more about that and showing some pictures as well.”
To hear my entire audio interview with Michael and to learn more about his upcoming talk at SEPC, listen above and visit seproducecouncil.com.
