Your Bridge to Local

Big news, big energy, and an even bigger vision. In this special episode of Your Bridge to Local, we’re pulling back the curtain on a major milestone for Affinity Group. One that signals our continued commitment to innovation, growth, and reshaping what’s possible in the food industry. Host Mindy Kopacz is joined by Neil Gladstone with Affinity Group, along with Matt Ward and George Monahan with Mascari NXT to discuss the acquisition of Mascari NXT, an Affinity Group Company. Tune in to hear why this acquisition isn’t just about growth…it’s about shaping the future of the food industry and how Affinity Group is raising the bar for the entire ecosystem.

Who doesn’t love a good Limited Time Offer? From the McRib to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, LTOs have a way of sparking excitement, and in the foodservice world, they can do a whole lot more.In this episode, Affinity Group host Mindy Kopacz sits down with Jim Binner of Lactalis Culinary and Alan Britz of Britz Food Group to dive into the hits and misses of some of the most memorable LTOs, from Arby’s Steak Bites to the Shamrock Shake, The Triple Dipper and more. They’ll talk about what made certain ideas soar (and others flop), and how brands can use LTOs as powerful tools to introduce new products, test fresh concepts, and build stronger partnerships between manufacturers and chain accounts. If you’ve ever wondered how an LTO goes from buzz to business impact or just love reminiscing about the best (and boldest) food fads, this episode is for you!

The foodservice industry depends on women every day; in operations, sales, and behind the scenes. But when it comes to leadership, there’s still work to do.In this episode, Affinity Group host Mindy Kopacz leads a thoughtful conversation with Nicole Strohman with Basic American Foods, Amy Garrard with Edward Don & Company, and Morgan Agba with Griffith Foods on how foodservice manufacturers can create more opportunities for women to grow, lead, and thrive. From mentorship and career development to the real barriers still holding women back, they explore what progress looks like and how we can accelerate it. Check it out and share with your industry peers!

From TikTok recipes to Instagram-worthy LTOs, social media is transforming how foodservice brands and operators show up, stand out, and serve up success.In this episode, Affinity Group host Mindy Kopacz is joined by Jim Martin with Smithfield Culinary, Chef Michael Ponzio with Park Ridge Country Club and Sharon Ponti with FoodMix Marketing Communications to dive fork-first into the role social media plays in this industry. How does social media build visibility, drive trust, and bring brand personality to life in a fast-scrolling world? You'll hear from operators and manufacturers who are using platforms like Instagram and Facebook, to spark innovation, test ideas, and connect more meaningfully with their audiences. Whether you’re still figuring out what’s “Insta-worthy” or already deep in short-form video land, this episode is packed with fresh ideas and insights to help you use social media not just to post, but to grow your business. Be sure to share this episode with your industry friends!

What will it take to get the next generation to see foodservice as more than just flipping burgers or waiting tables? In this episode of “Your Bridge to Local,” host Mindy Kopacz is joined by industry veterans as they share what they’ve learned from working closely with young professionals, and how they’re rewriting the leadership and training playbook to meet this new workforce where they are. Mindy’s joined by Erik Baylis of Baylis Hospitality, Mike Schwartz with IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, and Megan Teates with Affinity Group. From rethinking expectations to investing your time in education, motivation, and mentorship, the conversation dives into how we can reshape the perception of foodservice into a dynamic, fulfilling career path. Plus, a surprising lesson from a conversation with the former Netflix owner reveals the power of listening to the youngest voices in your organization and how that mindset might just be the key to unlocking your team’s potential.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like and share the podcast; it helps more people discover these important conversations in foodservice!

On this fun episode of Your Bridge to Local, Affinity Group host Mindy Kopacz dishes up a lively and insightful conversation about the power of culinary in foodservice sales. Today, it’s not just about price points, it’s about delivering real flavor, functional solutions, and authentic chef-to-chef connection. Mindy is joined by a powerhouse panel: Jim Binner from Lactalis, Derrick Tung from Paulie Gee’s Logan Square, and Jamie Trainis with Affinity Group. Together, they explore how culinary teams are turning product conversations into menu placements and driving sales success in the process. This episode dives into how bringing the culinary perspective to sales calls can unlock deeper operator engagement and set brands apart. Do you know what the 5 P’s are? You should. Listen to this episode to find out!

In this episode of Your Bridge to Local, we dive deep into the ever-evolving operator path to purchase — from discovery to decision-making — and the pivotal roles manufacturers and sales agencies play in that journey. Affinity Group’s Path to Purchase study is hot off the press, join us as we unpack the key findings. Your host Mindy Kopacz leads our panel of experts including Ben Wexler from Custom Culinary and Joe Sefton from Affinity Group to discuss how innovation, digital tools, and social media are reshaping what operators need and expect when sourcing new products. Whether you're a manufacturer, sales agency, or operator, this episode is packed with insights on what drives today’s purchasing behaviors and how to build stronger, more collaborative relationships throughout the supply chain.

E-commerce is transforming foodservice, changing how operators discover, evaluate, and purchase products. In this episode, Affinity Group’s Mindy Kopacz and Neil Gladstone are joined by Andrew Van Bark from Pepper and Sara Hagen with FoodMix Marketing Communications. Together, they explore how manufacturers, distributors, and sales agencies are leveraging digital platforms to boost efficiency and profitability. Learn about key trends, challenges, and strategies to maximize revenue growth and stay ahead in the evolving foodservice landscape.

In this episode, Affinity Group’s Mindy Kopacz and Kai Horn talk with Terrell Jones with Bush Bros. and Kelley Fechner with Datassential to explore why non-commercial foodservice has such high-potential for food manufacturers. Representing nearly 30% of the total U.S. foodservice market, non-commercial channels like healthcare, K-12, colleges, and corporate dining are ripe with opportunity. We break down where the growth is happening and how operators differ from their commercial counterparts. With fresh data and insights, we uncover what drives decisions in these unique environments—and how manufacturers can truly stand out. If you're not already focused on non-commercial, now may be the time to dive in!

In this episode, Affinity Group’s Mindy Kopacz and Neil Gladstone talk with Chelsea Rosengarten from McCormick & Company and Matt Wopperer from TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods, to explore the power of business intelligence—what it is, how to use it, and why it’s essential for foodservice success. Learn how manufacturers, operators, and sales agents are leveraging data to work smarter, not harder, and uncover key opportunities to humanize insights into actionable steps. By unlocking data, we can all drive smarter decisions and stronger business outcomes. Check it out!

In this episode, Affinity Group’s Alex Culin talks with Jodi Batten from Red Gold® Foodservice, Megan Flynn from Gaia K12 and Benita Gingerella with FoodService Director to explore the latest trends shaping school lunches across the country. From culturally diverse menus and student engagement strategies to battling rising food costs and policy changes, the panel discusses how everyone can work together to create healthy, more inclusive, and forward-thinking dining programs in our schools. Whether you're a manufacturer, K12 operator, or just curious, this podcast is your gateway to the future of feeding the next generation.  

With 42% of College and University foodservice operators using their dining halls as a recruitment tool for incoming students*, it’s no surprise that today’s campus dining halls have upped their culinary game. There’s no better time for manufacturers to collaborate with college and universities to deliver everything their customers are looking for: Diverse menu offerings, greater social responsibility and customization. In this episode, Affinity Group’s Mindy Kopacz and Amanda Colgan talk to Peter Testory from University of Wisconsin Madison and Chip Morgan from Smithfield Culinary to discuss ways to build that bridge to local and give kids something to write home about!*Datassential SNAP! Keynote | College & University 2024