Thomas Jefferson tried to start a wine company, a banana empire owned the world's largest private navy and a 19th century food spy smuggled citrons from Italy into the US. These are not fictional stories but real historical events that you can expect to hear about when you tune into The History of Fresh Produce podcast series hosted by Patrick Kelly and John Paap.
Launched earlier this year on The Produce Industry Podcast, the series explores the fascinating and often overlooked history of fresh fruits and vegetables, providing listeners with a unique perspective on the role of produce in shaping our world. From the humble potato to the exotic dragon fruit, "The History of Fresh Produce" delves into the backstory of each crop, revealing surprising tidbits and historical anecdotes that bring these foods to life.
Patrick Kelly and John Paap, two different personalities, both share a passion for produce and history. “I’ve always had an interest and passion for history,” says Paap. “As a child, the only books I’d really care to read were history books. Why read fiction when the real thing is already so fascinating?” Paap is a 15-year veteran in the fresh produce industry, spending his entire professional career thus far with Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. While his full-time job is in fresh produce, Paap never lost his enthusiasm for history. “When Patrick asked if I’d be interested in starting a fresh produce history series with him, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a privilege to co-host this series and uncover the history of the foods many of us know little about,” shares Paap.
"John is a talented co-host and the precision of each episode is calculated on a fine line of dirty money or the wrong place at the wrong time, but not every story involves crime or drama. In this series, we get to talk about where our fruits and vegetables come from. Not just where they are grown, but where they originated from. It's the 23 and me of fresh produce," says Patrick Kelly.
To date the series has received rave reviews from listeners who are hungry for more history. “This year was an opportunity to determine if there was an appetite for this type of content. We’re creating more content next year to meet listeners’ demands with new stories and featured guests,” explains Paap.
For more information:
Patrick Kelly
The Produce Industry Podcast
Tel: 559-594-7614
[email protected]