Award-winning produce manager John Truncale and merchandising expert Brian Dey

In this week's episode, we're delighted to welcome as our guests John Truncale, produce manager of Brattleboro Food Coop, and Brian Dey, senior merchandiser and natural stores coordinator of Four Seasons Produce. John was recognized in 2021 by the International Fresh Produce Association (then United Fresh) as a Retail Produce Manager of the Year Award winner, and Brian is one of the foremost experts in promotional planning, merchandising, events and more. In this conversation, John and Brian talk about gearing up for summer, working with local growers, going big on displays, seeing employees grow in their work and take pride in their displays, and much more. They also share their observations of how inflation is affecting organic sales and how they’re responding as shoppers trade down. These two gentlemen have worked together the better part of a decade now, and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle got to visit Brattleboro last year on a trip dedicated to putting in some work as Brian's unofficial merchandising assistant, so this episode — in addition to covering lots of timely topics — has a bit of a family reunion feel to it. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did! For more episodes featuring produce manager perspective, check out this curated playlist for plenty of thought-provoking discussion.  More Playlists Executive Perspective Leadership & Training Marketing & Merchandising Podcast Background This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more. Get Involved The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout on LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.