Supply Chain Symphony Podcast - Launches First Episode

The Tomato's Journey - Exposing the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Episode 1 | 25 minutes

What can a humble tomato teach us about global supply chains? As it turns out, quite a lot.

In this premiere episode, host Drew Zabrocki takes listeners on an eye-opening journey following a tomato from field to fork. Through an immersive simulation called "The Tomato Experience," we witness firsthand how disconnected information systems create friction at every handoff point in our food supply chain.

You'll hear from:

• Farmers frustrated by data demands that don't improve their operations

• Distributors navigating paper-based processes in a digital age

• Retailers seeking better visibility into product quality

• Innovators developing new models for secure data sharing

This episode reveals why approximately one-third of all food produced globally is never consumed – just one symptom of suboptimal information flow. But it's not just a story of challenges. Drew explores how innovative approaches like "smart data escrow" and interconnected systems are creating new possibilities for collaboration, even in low-trust environments.

Whether you're a supply chain professional or simply curious about how fresh food reaches your table, this episode offers surprising insights into the invisible systems we all depend on – and a vision for how they could work better.

Featured Voices:

• Aaron Ault (Farmer & Founder, Open Ag Technology and Systems Center)

• Chuck Tillmon (Walmart)

• Lainey Moules (Driscoll's)

• Michael Darden (DFM Data Corp)

• Industry participants from the Supply Chain Summit

Show Notes:

• Learn more about smart data escrow and interconnectivity

• Part 1 of our 4-part series exploring the future of food supply chains

Produced by Drew Zabrocki with editing by Martha King, sound design by James at Next Day, and fact checking by Sarah Jane. Published by the Totem Innovation Network.

Copyright 2025, Totem, LLC.

Contact and Engagement

For more information or to join the initiative:

• Register for the June 9th symposium at IFPA Washington Conference

• Join upcoming working group sessions