The Produce Moms Podcast
Episode 50: Questions for Lori at the 50th Episode Milestone
“We at The Produce Moms are working on being a comprehensive, authentic, and highly engaged resource to empower you in your journey to eat more fruits and vegetables.” – Lori Taylor (31:10-31:23)
To celebrate our 50th podcast episode, we invited partners, friends, followers, and supporters to submit questions for Lori. Below are her candid answers about the journey, the mission, and what’s next for The Produce Moms.
Question #1: Where does your passion for produce come from?
I studied abroad in college and experienced first-hand how food connects people. No matter the culture, food marks celebration and memory. That idea — that everyone is united by food — really stuck with me.
Working at the sales desk at Indianapolis Fruits, talking with grocery stores of all sizes and regions, made it clear that produce matters everywhere. People want fresh fruits and vegetables no matter where they live, and that realization helped ignite my passion.
Question #2: What was the most rewarding aspect of your work when you first started back at Indy Fruit?
The most rewarding moment was proposing a blog called The Produce Mom and getting full support from my bosses. They gave me the initial green light and the encouragement that every startup needs. Their daily support over the years allowed the project to grow, and eventually they gave me the chance to purchase and lead it forward.
Question #3: What is the most rewarding thing about what we are doing now at The Produce Moms?
I’ve built a team that believes in a mission-driven brand: closing the gap between what people know about produce and what they actually eat. We live in a country with abundant food access, yet most people don’t meet recommended fruit and vegetable intake. Our work addresses a public health issue and supports farmers, too.
One of the most meaningful parts of our work is in schools. Training staff and creating recipes that get kids excited about produce is incredibly rewarding. Watching a child try a fruit or vegetable for the first time or choose a vegetable in the cafeteria brings the mission to life.
“There are plenty of entities out there that share our mission. Our relationship with the growers and with the supply chain is one of the ways that we are unique. That being said, I think The Produce Moms is poised to be a lifestyle brand.” -Lori Taylor (17:31-17:50)
Question #4: What do you envision as the future of The Produce Moms and what do you want to accomplish?
My vision includes growing our role as an extension of the supply chain’s marketing and education efforts. We aim to help growers tell their stories, connect with schools, and innovate how produce is promoted to consumers. That close relationship with growers and the supply chain sets us apart.
Beyond industry support, I believe The Produce Moms can become a lifestyle brand for fresh produce. The best brands create movements and emotional connections; we want to be that catalyst for fruits and vegetables, inspiring excitement and adoption in partnership with growers and retailers.
Question #5: Balancing home and career is a challenge for many moms. How do you balance it?
I don’t believe in perfect balance — I believe in continuous balancing. I picture my life as several buckets that need varying attention on different days. Some days certain buckets get less; other days they get more. I try to be fully present with my children when I can and let go of guilt when things aren’t perfectly even.
Question #6: What do your boys think about you being The Produce Mom and spreading the message?
They’re used to it — it’s part of our family culture. When your family is tied to a business, kids naturally grow up alongside what you do.
Question #7: One simple step anyone could take today to increase fruit and vegetable intake?
We have a simple mantra: “Try them all and find your favorite.” You won’t discover new favorites unless you taste them. Taste buds change, so revisit foods you once disliked. Also, don’t stress about condiments — if dipping vegetables in ranch helps you eat more produce, that’s fine. The goal is to increase consumption and variety over time, but serving even one preferred vegetable is a win.
Question #8: What are some of the biggest obstacles to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption?
Habit is a major obstacle. Many households repeat the same menus. Education on selection, storage, and preparation is key. When people know how to choose and use produce, they’re more likely to include it regularly in meals.
Question #9: With new retail formats like grocery apps, online shopping, delivery, and meal kits, how is produce adapting?
Retail is increasingly data-driven; grocers now operate like tech companies using consumer insights to shape offerings. The produce industry needs to make fruits and vegetables easy choices by expanding ready-to-eat options and competing with food delivery services. Expect more innovation aimed at convenience and accessibility so produce becomes the simple option for more shoppers.
Question #10: If you could change one big thing affecting the produce industry, what would it be?
I would eliminate misinformation and propaganda. Pseudoscience harms public perception of food and agriculture. All produce is nutritious — if you’re shopping in the produce aisle, be proud of that choice. I wish media would consult fact-based, third-party audited sources instead of spreading fear based on questionable claims.
Question #11: Did you like vegetables as a kid?
I did — especially on tacos. Taco night meant loading up every topping my mom offered. I grew up when fresh produce like strawberries felt seasonal; today’s year-round access shows how quickly the food supply has changed. My parents consistently served vegetables with meals, which laid a foundation for healthy habits.
Question #12: If veggies were people, which one would you pick as your best friend?
I’d pick celery — down-to-earth, reliable, and widely liked. It’s not flashy, but it’s a classic that fits well on any plate.
Question #13: What is Duke the produce pup’s favorite fruit or veggie?
Duke, our Great Dane and social media favorite, loves sweet potatoes. Raised on a mix of nutritious foods, he also enjoys watermelon and blueberries. During his rapid growth as a puppy, adding fruits and vegetables to his diet helped with nutrition and cost while keeping him healthy.
“The work we do to empower the supply chain will always remain at the helm of our core purpose and is what motivates me as the executive and the founder of The Produce Moms.” -Lori Taylor (16:24-16:38)
Question #14: Any final words on this 50th episode milestone?
Every day I’m inspired by the people we work with and the community that supports us. I’m proud that our work helps close the gap in produce consumption and supports those who grow and supply fresh food.
Messages from our audience — like photos of recipes served at celebrations — remind me why we do this work. The Produce Moms wouldn’t be where it is today without readers, listeners, partners, and followers. Thank you for being part of this community. There’s a produce mom in all of us — here’s to 50 more episodes.
How to get involved with The Produce Moms
- Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and keep the conversation going every week.
- Reach out and tell us where you are in life or business. Visit our website to learn more.
The Produce Moms Podcast is available on major podcast platforms. If you enjoy the show, reviews, subscriptions, and ratings help us keep producing content. Your feedback and support mean the world to us.
[bctt tweet=”We are excited to be ????celebrating???? our 5️⃣0️⃣th #Podcast episode! Tune in to hear Founder and CEO of #TheProduceMoms, Lori Taylor, answer all of the “tough” questions!” username=”theproducemom”]
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