Advertise on podcast: Bake to the Future

What were the biggest takeaways from IBIE? In this episode of Bake to the Future, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn was joined by Puratos CEO Pierre Tossut and Puratos President Andy Brimacombe to reflect on IBIE highlights and share what's next for the baking industry. From consumer-driven innovation to the Puratos' Industrial Pilot Bakery, this conversation uncovers the trends and solutions shaping baking over the next five years. With special guests: Andy Brimacombe, President of Puratos and Pierre Tossut, CEO of Puratos Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, Director of Marketing and Communications at the American Bakers Association

From shifting regulations to evolving consumer expectations, bakers in the U.S. and Canada face similar challenges and opportunities. Live from IBIE, Bake to the Future host Anne Fairfield-Sonn spoke with ABA's Rasma Zvaners and the Baking Association of Canada's Denise Lee about how their associations are helping members navigate front-of-pack labeling, sustainability mandates, trade policy, and more. Together, they share where cross-border alignment is strongest, why collaboration is essential for long-term success, and how innovation and advocacy are shaping the future of commercial baking across North America.   With special guests: Denise Lee, Director of Food Policy and Sustainability at the Baking Association of Canada and Rasma Zvaners, Vice President of Government Relations at the American Bakers Association Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, Director of Marketing and Communications at the American Bakers Association

From the English muffin on your breakfast plate to the cake at your special celebration, the baking industry touches daily life in countless ways, and it also offers a world of purpose-driven careers that fuel communities nationwide. In this episode, host Anne Fairfield-Sonn is joined by Corey Mohn and Nate Clayberg of the CAPS Network and ABA's Eric Dell to discuss how Baking Works is opening doors for students, bridging the gap between classrooms and careers, and creating pathways into a thriving, purpose-driven industry. Together, they explore how this strategic collaboration is creating connections for employers with the future workforce and positioning commercial baking as a destination workplace. With special guests: Corey Mohn, President and Executive Director of the CAPS Network, Nate Clayberg, Business and Industry Director of the CAPS Network, and Eric Dell, ABA President and CEO Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, ABA Director of Marketing and Communications

Want to take your commercial baking business to the next level? Discover how the American Bakers Association fuels growth through advocacy, networking, and industry insights. In this episode of Bake to the Future, Clyde's Donuts President Josh Bickford, and Cain Food CEO Terry McCurry sit down with ABA Senior Director of Membership Ben Simpson and ABA Director of Marketing and Communications Anne Fairfield-Sonn to discuss how ABA membership has empowered their companies to lead, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. With special guests: Josh Bickford, Clyde's Donuts President and Tom McCurry, Cain Food CEO Hosted by: Anne Fairfield-Sonn, ABA Director of Marketing and Communications and Ben Simpson, ABA Senior Director of Membership

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