Bake to the Future

What's driving the demand for pizza and flatbread in the baking industry? Join Bake to the Future host Anne Fairfield-Sonn and data expert Anne-Marie Roerink as they dig into the highlights from ABA's Bakery Playbook: Pizza and Flatbread. From evolving consumer preferences to new opportunities for bakers and suppliers, this episode covers everything you need to know about one of the fastest-growing categories in baking. With special guest: Anne-Marie Roerink, 210 Analytics President and Founder Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, ABA Director of Marketing and Communications

IBIE 2025, the largest baking industry event in the Western Hemisphere, returns September 13-17 in Las Vegas! Listen in as Groupo Bimbo's Jorge Zarate and ABA's Samantha Moore and Anne Fairfield-Sonn discuss IBIE's must-see features, new pavilions, AI-driven event navigation, and more. You'll get an inside look at how this global event is bringing together industry leaders, showcasing cutting-edge technology, and setting the stage for the future of baking. With special guests: Jorge Zarate, Grupo Bimbo Chief Supply Chain Officer and Samantha Moore, ABA Senior Director of Events and Programming Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, ABA Director of Marketing and Communications

Curious how a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer used his experience to lead businesses to success? Tune into the Bake to the Future podcast as Pippa O'Shea, ABA's Senior Manager of Events and Programming, is joined by Marc Koehler. Marc shares his fascinating journey from submarine officer to leadership development specialist and his unique approach to "fast attack leadership". Listen in for his key business strategies, his powerful insights into the importance of a solid mission, and his compelling stories about life on a nuclear submarine. With special guests: Marc Koehler, Founder, Lead with Purpose Hosted by: Pippa O'Shea, Senior Manager of Events and Programming, American Bakers Association

Listen in as ABA Vice President of Government Relations Rasma Zvaners and Corbion Vice President of Function Systems Abby Ceule discuss sustainability in the baking industry. They explore consumer demand, food waste, and offer advice for bakeries starting their sustainability journey. With special guest: Abby Ceule, Vice President of Function Systems, Corbion Hosted by: Rasma Zvaners, Vice President of Government Relations, ABA

Introducing Bill Quigg, ABA's incoming Chair and the President of Richmond Baking, who shares his family's extensive legacy and looks ahead to collaborative endeavors aimed at fostering growth and innovation within the baking community. He shares his vision to enhance the industry's positive impact during his term and highlights opportunities for member engagement. With special guest: Bill Quigg, ABA Chair and President of Richmond Baking

The newly revealed strategic plan by ABA aims to position the industry as a leader in establishing and promoting a workplace environment that is second to none, fostering growth within the overall category, and enhancing ABA's programs and services to ensure high value impact for its members. This comprehensive initiative is entirely dedicated to championing the commercial baking industry. Additional Resources: ABA Strategic Plan 2024 ABA Annual Convention With special guests: Cordia Harrington, Founder & CEO, Crown Bakeries Cos. and ABA Chair and Eric Dell, President and CEO, ABA

As we kick off 2024, we sat down to discuss labor market dynamics and changing consumer preferences, as well as anticipated legislative and regulatory issues on the horizon. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Rasma Zvaners, Vice President Regulatory & Technical Services, American Bakers Association

H&S Family of Bakeries partnered with Baltimore's Living Classrooms Foundation to create a mechanics apprenticeship program, which aims to support underserved communities and second-chance workers in Baltimore by providing tailored training and guaranteed employment opportunities. Tune in to learn how this partnership is reshaping lives and developing a skilled workforce in commercial baking. With special guests: Jennifer Stiles, Director of HR, H&S Family of Bakeries and Cheryl Riviere, Managing Director of Workforce Development, Living Classrooms Foundation

National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and American Bakers Association sit down to discuss their favorite brews, workforce development, and agricultural and transportation policies. With special guests: Eric Dell, President and CEO, American Bakers Association and Craig Purser, President & CEO, National Beer Wholesalers Association

100+ leaders from all segments of the baking industry, including ABA, ASB, and RBA members, will gather in Washington, DC, this November to meet with lawmakers at the Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit. Hear from a recent “fly-in first-timer” on how to make the most of meetings and why it is imperative to participate. From preparation to delivery, find out how the ABA team will deliver this can't-miss education and networking event. With special guest: Ahmet Hepdogan, Vice President Procurement & Risk Management, Dawn Global Foods and Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President, Government Relations And Public Affairs, ABA Learn More:  Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit

Executives from the wholesale baking and independent community grocer industries sit down to discuss how partnership is key when it comes to driving policy. National Grocers Association's President and CEO Greg Ferrera and ABA's Eric Dell join Bake to the Future to discuss hot topic issues such as tray theft, workforce, technology, and more. With special guests: Greg Ferrara, President and CEO, National Grocers Association and Eric Dell, President and CEO, ABA

Kerry, an ABA Premium Allied Member, started as a small dairy company in Ireland 50 years ago and has grown into a leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. On this episode, we talk with Kerry's Vivien Sheehan, VP of Business Development for Nutritional and Functional Ingredients, and Emma Cahill, Global Marketing Director, about ways to combat food waste and the role ingredients can play in reducing mold and extending shelf-life. With special guests: Vivien Sheehan, VP Business Development for Nutritional and Functional Ingredients, Kerry and Emma Cahill, Global Marketing Director, Kerry Sponsored by Kerry

ABA Member Gold Crust Baking Company is a family-owned baking manufacturer that uses 100% green energy through solar and wind energy. We chat with Gold Crust about the driving factors behind their sustainability initiatives, challenges, and more. With special guest: Allen Lyubinsky, Chief Financial Officer, Gold Crust Baking Company

NEXUS is an all-new event for the baking industry powered by BEMA and the American Bakers Association. It will be September 25-28 in Dallas, Texas. Learn about NEXUS and why it will be transformational for the baking sector. With special guests: Pippa O'Shea, Education Manager, American Bakers Association and Emily Bowers, Vice President, Education & Operations, BEMA

Ardent Mills, an ABA Premium Allied Member, is a flour-milling and ingredient company specializing in flour, quinoa, pulses, and organic and gluten-free products. We sat down at IBIE 2022 with Shrene White, General Manager of Emerging Nutrition at Ardent Mills. Shrene explains how Ardent Mills is developing meaningful partnerships with farmers through regenerative agriculture. We also discuss consumer trends and innovations around alternative grains and more. Learn more about Ardent Mills. Recorded on September 19, 2022. With special guest: Shrene White, General Manager of Emerging Nutrition, Ardent Mills

In part two, we continue our conversation about the Farm Bill: what it is and how the bill's sweeping policies impact our Members. ABA's expert Lee Sanders helps us understand how the baking industry is involved in the Farm Bill's extensive legislative process. With special guest: Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA

In part one of two episodes, we dive into all things Farm Bill: what it is and how the bill's sweeping policies impact our Members. ABA's expert Lee Sanders helps us understand how the baking industry is involved in the Farm Bill's extensive legislative process. With special guest: Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA

We chat with Baltimore-based Hiatus Cheesecake's Founder, Matthew Featherstone, about how he has scaled the business, challenges along the way, the recent crowdfunding campaign, what we can expect from this rapidly growing company in the future, and more. With special guest: Matthew Featherstone, Founder of Hiatus Cheesecake

Puratos, an ABA Premium Allied Member, is a global manufacturer of food ingredients and technology solutions in bakery and chocolate based in Belgium with a large US presence. We sat down at IBIE 2022 with Puratos' CEO, Pierre Tossut, and Chief Marketing & Channels Officer, Sophie Blum. They share Puratos' initiatives around sustainability, consumer insights, innovation and tech, workforce development, and more. They explain the origin of Puratos' bakery schools and how it's grown to eight schools across the world, empowering youth in underprivileged communities. Recorded on September 18, 2022. With special guests: Pierre Tossut, CEO, Puratos and Sophie Blum, Chief Marketing Officer, Puratos Learn more about Puratos.

ABA's experts share their insight on policy and regulations that could impact the baking industry in 2023. We discuss issues like nutrition, supply chain, sustainability, and more. This rapid-fire conversation will leave you with a sense of the current landscape and what to expect for the future. With special guests: Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA, Rasma Zvaners Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Services, ABA, and Lauren Williams, Director, Government Relations, ABA

We get to know the newest ABA team member: President and CEO Eric Dell. Hear about his professional journey and vision for the future of ABA and the baking industry. What are the top baking industry issues he thinks can make the world a better place? And at the end, he shares a special message for ABA Members. With special guest: Eric Dell, President and CEO, ABA

ABA's outgoing President and CEO, Robb MacKie, reflects on his 27 years at ABA. He shared some stories with us, including some run-ins in the halls of the Capitol. How does he envision ABA's future membership, political involvement, and advocacy? What does he see as unfinished business? He answers these questions and shares his excitement and passion for the industry as he concludes his time at ABA. With special guest: Robb MacKie, Outgoing President and CEO, ABA

Alpha Baking Co.'s Bob McGuire was determined to find a cheaper, cleaner solution to fuel his bakery delivery fleet. He shares his 20+ years of trials and errors that led him to find an alternative fuel. Why were there chicken bones in the fuel? And why did the trucks leave a smell of french fries as they drove through the streets of Chicago? Why did he share the findings with the competition? Bob answers these questions and more. With special guest: Bob McGuire, VP, Director of Logistics, Alpha Baking Co.

AB Mauri, an ABA Premium Allied Member, is a global bakery ingredients and yeast company. At IBIE 2022, we sat down with pastry chef Duff Goldman and AB Mauri's Rick Oleshak. Duff shares how baking manufacturers can learn from artisan bakers and how the next generation of bakers inspires him. Rick gives us a window into AB Mauri's innovative future and more. Learn more about AB Mauri. With special guests: Duff Goldman, Pastry Chef, Executive Chef of Charm City Cakes, cookbook author, and more and Rick Oleshak, VP of Marketing at AB Mauri

We examine consumer trends findings from ABA's recent study, Life Through the Lens of Bakery. This conversation with the study's author dives into foodservice, sustainability initiatives, and generational trends. How does bakery fit into life and life's occasions? Tune in to find out. The Life Through the Lens of Bakery Study was conducted by 210 Analytics and made possible by Corbion. View the Key Findings  Members' Free Access to the Complete Study  With special guest: Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal and Founder, 210 Analytics

Corbion, an ABA Premium Allied Member, specializes in emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, and other innovative ingredients that help make baked goods taste better, last longer, and nourish our bodies. We sat down at IBIE 2022 with Corbion's top scientific experts to understand how to meet consumer demands around clean label while preserving baked goods on the shelf. Recorded on September 20, 2022. Learn more about Corbion. With special guests: Ricardo Moreira, Director of Product Management, Preservation, Corbion and Frank Segers, Scientist of Microbiology, Corbion

The White House is aiming to eliminate hunger by 2030. How will they reach this goal? How can the baking industry be part of the plan? Listen to the experts talk about defining "healthy," sodium reduction goals, school meals, accessible and affordable food, and more. Recorded on September 29, 2022. With special guests: Lee Sanders, CAE, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA and Jula Kinnaird, President, Capital Management and Communications

The 2022 midterm elections are around the corner. We talk to the political experts about key races to watch and critical issues at stake. Hear some race predictions and how the different outcomes might impact the baking industry. Recorded on September 12, 2022. With special guests: Lee Sanders, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ABA and Jim Ellis, Senior Political Analyst, BIPAC

Did you know that ABA is a co-owner of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE)? Ahead of the show, hear what the ABA staff members are excited about, some advice, and baked goods they are excited to try. With special guests: American Bakers Association Staff

Plastic packaging and recycling regulations have recently been passed in four states. Which states are first to make rules and what are the timelines for those states? And will there be federal regulations in the future? How will this impact baking businesses? We answer these questions and more with ABA's in-house expert, Rasma Zvaners. With special guest: Rasma Zvaners, VP, Regulatory and Technical Services, ABA

In honor of ABA's 125th Anniversary, this special episode dives into ABA's long history as the voice of the baking industry. Learn about ABA's fascinating journey. We answer questions like: what were the main issues ABA worked on and what caused ABA to relocate from Chicago to DC? Listen to ABA's unofficial historians to find out. With special guests: Lee Sanders, CAE, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Affairs, ABA and Robb MacKie, President and CEO, ABA

The first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health is happening in 50 years. We talk with ABA's Lee Sanders, CAE about the latest information about nutrition policy coming from the White House, USDA and HHS. She tells us exactly how this could impact the baking industry and the opportunities that lie ahead. Recorded on July 18, 2022 With special guests: Lee Sanders, CAE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ABA

How does a trade association work? What makes ABA different than other trade associations? How has the membership changed over the years and where are we headed? ABA's very own Membership Team answers these questions and more. With special guests: Jennifer Colfelt, Vice President of Membership and Operations, ABA and Ben Simpson, Director of Membership, ABA

Dan Dye is the CEO of Ardent Mills, an ABA Premium Allied Member, a flour-milling and ingredient company specializing in flour, quinoa, pulses, and organic and gluten-free products. Dan tells us about Ardent Mills' investment in alternative grains, where he sees innovation in the industry and how they are a people-first company. Dan also gives us a sneak peek of what Ardent Mills is planning for their booth at IBIE (hint: fun samples). Recorded on May 23, 2022. With special guest: Dan Dye, CEO, Ardent Mills

At ABA 2022 Convention, Hailey sat down with information security expert, Michael Coates. They talked about how the pandemic impacted cybersecurity, where baking companies can prioritize security, and how future technology will improve security. This includes the internet of things, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and more. With special guest: Michael Coates, Former Chief Information Security Officer at Twitter, Former Head of Security at Mozilla, and CEO of Altitude Network

At ABA 2022 Convention, Katie sat down with Ken Newsome, CEO of the Markel Food Group (parent company of ABA Premium Allied Member AMF Bakery Systems). They build bakery equipment and complete bakery solutions around the world. Katie and Ken discuss Ken's career journey, innovation and opportunities, IBIE 2022, his thoughts on the future of our industry, and more. With special guest: Ken Newsome, CEO, Markel Food Group

At ABA 2022 Convention, Katie sat down with two all-stars in the baking industry: Jennifer Lindsey and Mark Hotze of Corbion, an ABA Premium Allied Member. They discuss their respective professional journeys, supply chain challenges, IBIE, the future of the baking industry, and more. With special guests: Jennifer Lindsey, Vice President - Global Marketing, Corbion and Mark Hotze, Vice President of Sales, Corbion

Alicia Mosley, Vice President of Marketing at Ferrero manages the Keebler Cookies, Cones and Crusts branded portfolio. We talk with her about how to give nostalgic brands a new life, the importance of partnerships, her professional journey, lessons learned along the way, and more. With special guest: Alicia Mosley, Vice President of Marketing, Ferrero

Internationally-sourced honey is essential for making baked goods such as honey wheat bread, breakfast cereal, honey buns, and more. But sky-high tariffs stemming from an active international trade case are threatening food makers' ability to not only procure - but pay for - this necessary ingredient. We break down what you need to know about this complicated, fast-moving issue as we talk with the experts about what this means for the baking industry, how ABA is tackling this issue with international trade entities, and what bakers can do. With special guests: Drew Felz, Government Affairs Representative, General Mills; Lee Sanders, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA and Zack Decker, Government Relations Manager, ABA

Sesame was declared a major allergen last year. With the compliance date quickly approaching on January 1, 2023, learn about what baking companies should be considering regarding packaging, operations, and more. And hear about how ABA is helping Members get ready. Recorded on March 15, 2022.

ABA's President and CEO Robb MacKie helps us understand how the Russian invasion of Ukraine might impact the baking industry in the US. He also shares what he's been hearing from bakers in Ukraine. Recorded on March 4, 2022.

Hear the latest intel and action from ABA's internal legislative and regulatory experts about the evolving policies and outlook for COVID workplace rules, supply chain issues, edible oils, ingredients shortages, and more. Also learn a few things the baking industry should anticipate in the future. Recorded January 20, 2022.

In this end-of-year episode, ABA's Robb MacKie talks with Bill Quigg, President and CEO of Richmond Baking about how Bill has been rethinking workforce recruitment and retention. Then, they look ahead to 2022, discussing everything from equipment innovations, packaging, food service, IBIE 2022, and more.

We go behind the scenes of the planning of IBIE 2022 (International Baking Industry Exposition) in Las Vegas. What does it take to transform the Convention Center into a bustling city-like trade show floor? How will walking through the booth aisles be a full sensory experience? What happens to all that leftover dough and products? Our guests answer these questions and more. Recorded on November 17, 2021.

ABA's legislative and regulatory experts explain the latest hot topics: COVID-19 testing and vaccine mandates in the workplace, supply chain challenges, edible oils shortages, and high pricetag legislation in Congress. Learn how ABA is telling the industry's story to ensure decision-makers understand the impact of federal policies on baking businesses. Recorded on October 28, 2021.

Karl Thorson, Global Food Safety and Sanitation Manager at General Mills, explains the field of sanitary design in baking manufacturing. He breaks down how a facility with proper sanitary design can improve issues related to food safety, efficiency, and workforce. Recorded on September 28, 2021.

Carrie Jones-Barber, CEO of Dawn Foods, a global leader in bakery manufacturing and ingredients distribution, shares how Dawn is dealing with the pandemic, supply chain challenges, workforce shortages and more. Carrie also shares her personal experiences of growing up in the family business and her passion for mentorship and developing future women leaders in the baking industry. Recorded on September 21, 2021.

We are only a year out from gathering together in Las Vegas at IBIE 2022, the largest grain-based foods trade show in the Western Hemisphere. Hear from the two people closest to the action about why they think this will be the most meaningful show in its 100+ year history. Recorded on July 27, 2021.

How can AI help baking companies achieve their sustainability and business goals? We talk with Liran Akavia, Co-Founder and COO of Seebo, about how to tackle this issue, how the pandemic has affected the implementation of technology in bakeries, and more. Recorded on June 30, 2021.

In early 2021, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act was signed into law, declaring sesame a major allergen that must be labeled on packaged foods, including baked goods. The compliance date, January 1, 2023, is quickly approaching. Hear from ABA baker Member CraftMark and ABA's regulatory expert about how the baking industry can plan for the new regulation and the implications this new law will have on the baking sector. Recorded on July 21, 2021.

Everyone in the baking industry is talking about it: commodities pricing. Don't miss this timely expert-led discussion about what is happening and what bakers and suppliers could consider as we make our way into the summer and fall. Also, understand the legislative and regulatory landscape and how ABA Members can stay in the know during this quickly changing environment. Recorded on June 2, 2021. Guest Host: Lee Sanders, SVP of Government Relations and Public Affairs, ABA