This week, we welcome Michael Grandinetti, Senior Manager of Packaging Engineering at Lamb Weston. With a background in Biological Engineering and an MBA in Management, Michael brings nearly a decade of experience leading sustainable, customer-focused packaging solutions. A Future Leaders Award recipient, Michael shares insights on innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of packaging in the food industry. Tune in for a sharp, inspiring look at the future of food tech and the power of great packaging.

In this episode, we explore the cutting edge of food innovation with Benjamin Barrow — a multilingual food scientist whose journey spans microbiology, sensory science, and global product development. Currently an Associate Sensory Scientist at Lamb Weston, Ben blends technical expertise with marketing savvy, having led R&D initiatives and built a thriving social media presence. Join us as we unpack the science behind what we eat, the future of food, and how curiosity and communication fuel innovation.

We’re kicking Season 2 off with something special! Hailey and Rachael spent a day with one of Lamb Weston's amazing partner growers, Ted Tschirky, to explore what makes the Lamb Weston grower partnership so unique. Check out this special episode to learn about Ted, his passion for growing potatoes, and the legacy he is passing down to his son.

Learn more about Ted and Tschirky Farms here: https://www.lambweston.com/about/global-locations/united-states/columbia-region/tschirky-farms.html

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Hailey Krumland about our Quality here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five Key Takeaways:

1. Sampling and Testing: Multiple checkpoints for testing raw materials, including plant tissue and storage samples, help understand size, defects, sugars, and solids in potatoes.
2. Handling Customer Complaints: Complaints come from various sources like direct feedback, store operators, sales teams, social media, and a 1-800 number. The team investigates and resolves issues by checking production records and communicating with manufacturing teams.
3. Using Technology: Advanced technology like sorters and scanners helps identify and manage defects in potatoes, ensuring consistent quality.
4. Quality Certifications: Facilities follow certifications like the BRC audit to ensure food safety. Customer-specific audits and internal checks also help maintain quality.
5. Continuous Improvement: The company takes contamination seriously and uses customer feedback to improve. The QA team works to fix issues and enhance product quality.

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Hailey Krumland about our Quality here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five Key Takeaways:

1. Quality Control: Quality starts with using disease-free seeds. The AG team checks soil and plant samples to ensure high-quality crops. This helps plan production and meet customer needs.
2. Managing Contamination Risks: The AG team knows the fields well and reduces risks before potatoes reach the plant. Technologies like sorters, X-rays, and metal detectors help find and remove contaminants during production.
3. Certifications and Standards: Facilities follow certifications like the BRC audit to ensure food safety. Customers may request specific audits. Internal checks help maintain consistent quality.
4. Sampling Practices: Samples are taken throughout the growing season, including soil, plant tissue, and potatoes. This provides detailed information about crop quality, helping make informed decisions.
5. Use of Technology: Advanced technology like vision systems and sorters helps maintain quality and find defects and contaminants, ensuring the final product meets high standards.

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Patrick McIntyre about farm operations here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

1. Comprehensive Farm Operations: Extensive farm operations covering 22,000 acres, segmented into various departments like potato, vegetable, shop fertilizer, and road maintenance, each playing a crucial role in managing different aspects of the farm.
2. Sustainability Practices: Focus on sustainability through crop rotation, cover cropping, and precise application of chemicals and fertilizers based on regular soil and plant samples, helping maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.
3. Advanced Technology and Machinery: Utilization of advanced technology such as GPS for precision farming and innovations in machinery like new potato planters and harvesters, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions.
4. Critical Role of Irrigation Control: The irrigation control room, vital for managing water distribution across the farm, operates 24/7 to ensure optimal water usage and prevent issues, highlighting its importance in farm operations.
5. Passion and Dedication of Farm Workers: The farm is described as a special place with highly dedicated workers who enjoy their jobs, contributing to a positive work environment and strong sense of community, crucial for the farm's success and produce quality.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Jeff Metzger | https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mcintyre-40672a57/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Dr. Chandler Dolezal, a Principal Agronomist, about potato trials here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. Multifaceted Nature of Potato Trials: Potato trials cover both field and storage aspects, focusing on best practices for planting, fertility, varietal studies, and managing crop quality over extended periods.
2. Adaptation and Proactivity: Continuous adaptation and proactive measures are essential to address evolving challenges like climate changes, pests, and diseases, ensuring supply chain security and maintaining raw supply quality.
3. Rigorous Trial Process: The trial process involves multiple stages, from small plot trials to full field testing, isolating variables to ensure accurate results and developing best practices for growers.
4. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Close collaboration between agronomists, breeders, and growers is crucial for identifying and testing new varieties, adapting to changing conditions, and ensuring agricultural and quality standards.
5. Research and Risk Management: Using research storage facilities for small-scale evaluations helps mitigate risks before commercial implementation, ensuring consistent quality management and training new staff.

In this episode, we're excited to talk with Jeff Metzger about Continuous Improvement and our VeLOCity program here at Lamb Weston. Visit our website at https://tater-talk.transistor.fm/ and listen to learn more! Visit the link to let us know about other topics you'd like us to talk about on the show! https://forms.office.com/r/vYdvjXmKpP

Five takeaways:

1. VeLOCity Program: Continuous journey focused on eliminating losses and increasing employee knowledge and skills, ensuring ongoing efficiency and equipment performance improvements.
2. Implementation and Expansion: Started in late 2020 at American Falls, expanded to all fried plants in North America, and is going global.
3. Streamlined Processes and Ownership: Promotes multi-skilled technicians, reducing lag time and fostering ownership and responsibility.
4. Root Cause Analysis and Standardization: Emphasizes permanent problem-solving and standardization across plants for enhanced efficiency and reliability.
5. Restoration and Efficiency: Early phases led to significant equipment performance improvements, highlighting the importance of maintaining and restoring equipment to its base condition.

Want to learn more about our guest (and your hosts)?
Jeff Metzger | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-metzger-8a9a7711/
Rachael Bedell | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bedell-66335355/
Hailey Dugan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dugan/