Get The Scoop With Smirk's Podcast

By: Smirk's Natural Food Team
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  • Summary

  • The Bulk Ingredient Network for the Natural Food Industry It’s our mission to help you navigate the world of high-quality bulk food ingredients, so you can produce and market products you are passionate about. This podcast is where we share everything we know about bulk ingredients. You’ll hear a wide range of industry feature stories, commodity market news, and expert insights into bulk nuts, seeds & grains, coconut products, dried fruits and much more. Each episode will include Smirk’s own Industry Market Report one of the resources our current clients depend on. It's the latest natural foods industry news compiled by Smirk’s commodity buying experts. You will know the key takeaways for the bulk items your company relies on. We’ll also will go deep into specific ingredients with our product category experts sharing origin info, applications, specs, and new product innovation ideas. We’ll even touch on cosmetic and pet food industry ingredients. You’ll hear the natural products industry stories of our growers direct from their locales around the world. There are amazing people in these communities and our relationships make it possible to source the best ingredients for you. You can count on us to provide boots on the ground information from our grower and processor relationships that you won’t find anywhere else in the industry. So hit the button where you listen to your favorite podcasts and subscribe to the show. https://smirks.com/podcast/
    2023 Smirk's LTD
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Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living
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Episodes
  • Smirk’s Quality Assurance EP 15

    Smirk’s Quality Assurance EP 15
    Dec 2 2024
    In Episode 15 of Get the Scoop with Smirks, Elisa Louis shares the Smirk’s team commitment to Quality Assurance (QA). As a leading supplier of conventional and organic ingredients, Smirk’s relies on the QA team to uphold the highest standards in food safety and quality, ensuring trusted partnerships with both suppliers and customers. This episode features QA Director Tara Hettinger, Operations Manager Garrett McBride, and QA team members Danielle Duff and Kelsey Malone, who share their experiences and perspectives on the vital work they do every day. The Foundation of Quality Assurance at Smirks Tara Hettinger, who leads the QA team, outlines how their mission extends beyond simply meeting food safety standards; they strive to build strong, transparent partnerships. Smirks manages an astonishing 60,000 supplier documents, which include detailed quality and food safety certifications, and ensures every piece aligns with their rigorous standards. The QA team prioritizes transparency, a core value that sets Smirk’s apart in the industry. As Tara noted, they are meticulous in vetting suppliers to ensure customers receive reliable, high-quality ingredients. She explains that being detailed and organized means the team can respond to customer needs efficiently, especially during audits or urgent requests,” she added. On-Site Visits: A Hands-On Approach to Quality Garrett McBride shared his passion for supplier site visits, which he described as both rewarding and essential. Known within Smirk’s as the "food safety and quality assurance boogeyman," Garrett explained how these visits allow him to verify supplier practices and identify any risks that might not appear in paperwork. During these visits, Garrett scrutinizes everything from pest control measures to process documentation, ensuring suppliers meet Smirks' high standards. These face-to-face interactions build reliable partnerships, allow us to verify their practices which ensures we can trust the folks we choose to do business with. Garrett also highlighted the sheer scale of Smirks’ operations, with 130 items sourced from 180 suppliers across 27 countries. This level of oversight requires a collaborative effort, making the QA team's diligence critical to the company's success. Meet the People Behind the QA Process Danielle Duff and Kelsey Malone shared their personal journeys and how their backgrounds shaped their roles at Smirks. Danielle, a food science graduate, is passionate about food safety and nutrition. She described how her family’s tradition of canning and growing food inspired her love for food science. Her meticulous approach helps ensure the quality and safety of Smirks’ products, which she sees as a direct way to protect consumers. Kelsey Malone, who transitioned from healthcare to QA, talked about the steep learning curve when she joined Smirks. Initially an administrative assistant, Kelsey quickly embraced the complexity of QA processes and found satisfaction in tackling detailed documentation to ensure quality standards are met. The dedication and passion of Danielle and Kelsey underscore Smirks’ commitment to quality and transparency. The Smirks QA team revealed the immense effort that goes into ensuring food safety and building trust with customers and suppliers. Tara discussed the challenges of the job, explaining that even with rigorous processes, unexpected issues can arise. Mitigating risks and documentation may seem boring but the team finds the work rewarding knowing that they are protecting their customers and ultimately the end consumers. November 2024 Market Report Navigating a Volatile Market: Key Updates from Smirks In the November 2024 Market Report, Smirks provided updates on key ingredient categories, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. Here's a snapshot of the trends shaping the industry: 1. Pumpkin Seeds: Supply Challenges Ahead Conventional pumpkin kernels are at historic low prices due to high yields in China. Organic pumpkin supply faces contamination issues, leading to the conversion of organic inventory to conventional. Recommendation: Secure 2025 organic pumpkin seed volumes now to mitigate risk. 2. Sunflower: Widespread Drought Shrinks Supply Eastern European droughts have led to a 25% reduction in crop estimates, straining global availability. Recommendation: Lock in 2025 sunflower seed contracts as availability will tighten further. 3. Chia: Organic Supplies Under Pressure While conventional chia supply remains strong, organic inventories are shrinking due to herbicide testing failures. Recommendation: Quickly secure 2025 organic chia to avoid potential shortages. 4. Coconut: Prices Spike Amid Weather Extremes El Nino patterns and typhoons have led to smaller kernel sizes and disrupted supply chains. Outlook: Expect delays and higher prices through the next six months. 5. Tree Nuts: Limited Supply Across the Board Walnuts: Organic options are nearly ...
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    41 mins
  • Fall Harvest Market Report & Recommendations EP 14

    Fall Harvest Market Report & Recommendations EP 14
    Oct 14 2024
    In this episode of Get the Scoop with Smirks podcast, hosts Elisa Lewis and Garrett McBride delve into the intricacies of the Northern Hemisphere's fall harvest. As a leading supplier of organic and conventional bulk ingredients, Smirks closely monitors the global markets to provide timely insights into various crops. This episode sheds light on pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, oats, and California nuts—specifically almonds and walnuts. Additionally, Garrett offers a comprehensive market report on coconut, flax, and ocean freight rates. Pumpkin Seeds from China China, which accounts for about 70% of global pumpkin seed production, has significantly increased its planting acreage this year. The harvest began in late August and wrapped up in late September, showing a strong supply and low export demand. Speculators have largely stayed away, leading to softened markets and favorable conditions for buyers. Chia Seeds from Paraguay A late summer drought affected the northern growing region, impacting what was expected to be a bumper crop. This year's crop is anticipated to be closer to a 50-50 split between organic and conventional chia seeds, deviating from the typical 30% organic. Shipments have slowed due to low water levels in the Paraguay River to ocean ports. Sunflower Seeds from Eastern Europe and the USA Eastern Europe faced a brutally hot summer, leading to severe crop damage and reduced yield and quality. In the U.S. planting for kernel crops is estimated to be down by around 30% compared to last year. With limited supply and increasing demand, markets are firming up, making immediate contracting advisable. Oats from Canada The Canadian prairies experienced optimal weather, resulting in a strong harvest yield compared to last year. While the yield is strong, there are some concerns about the oats being lighter in weight. Smirks encourages companies looking for product to contract now for next year's coverage, including gluten-free and regenerative organic certified options. California Nuts: Almonds and Walnuts With the excellent weather during the bloom and increased bee flight hours Smirk’s is seeing promising crop. Despite a smaller crop last year and minimal carry-in, rising global demand is pushing prices up. Smirks is actively closing contracts for California tree nuts for 2025 and recommends clients lock in their positions soon. Coconut Market Report The El Niño weather conditions reduced both the size of coconuts and the overall crop globally, causing supply chain gaps and driving prices up to levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diversifying supply chains and securing coverage through Q2 of 2025 is advised to mitigate risks. Similar supply challenges are affecting coconut sugar due to El Niño and early Ramadan in 2024. Cashew markets remain firm with increasing prices. Smirks' deep connections with suppliers and their commitment to monitoring these markets provide invaluable insights for businesses relying on these ingredients. For those in the industry, now is a critical time to assess your fall crop needs. Whether you're a regular user or new to organic or conventional pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, oats, or California almonds and walnuts, Smirks is equipped to help you navigate these complex markets. Thank you for joining us in exploring the 2024 fall harvest insights. We look forward to keeping you informed on the latest market trends and helping you make the best purchasing decisions for your business. If you haven't already, subscribe to the Get the Scoop with Smirks podcast to receive immediate access to each new episode. For personalized assistance, reach out to Smirks at whatsnew@smirks.com. October Market Report Coconut Market Strong market volatility in coconut is expected to persist through Q1 2025 due to reduced crop sizes caused by El Niño. Smaller crop and reduced nut size have led to supply chain gaps and rising prices, with levels comparable to those seen during COVID-19. Country-Specific Updates Philippines: Significant production reductions, with some nuts up to 50% smaller. Some suppliers may cut production on open orders by up to 30%. Full recovery expected by April 2025. Sri Lanka: Crop reduced by 40%, with prices rising due to a shortage. Improvements not expected until at least April 2025. Indonesia: High demand from Chinese buyers drove price increases. Tight supply expected until at least Q2 of 2025. Vietnam: Reliable shipping thus far, but prices have increased significantly. Relief may come in November/December 2024. Recommendations Secure coverage through Q2 of 2025 to guarantee supply while maintaining flexibility if market conditions improve. Diversify supply chains with multiple origins to mitigate risk. Coconut Sugar Market Supply chains were heavily impacted in Indonesia, causing a raw material shortage and price increases by 30%. Early Ramadan in 2024 further strained the supply chain. Similar ...
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    30 mins
  • Smirk’s Top 10 Countdown – Best Bakery Trends of 2024 EP 13

    Smirk’s Top 10 Countdown – Best Bakery Trends of 2024 EP 13
    Aug 19 2024

    Market Report 1:05:03

    In the latest episode of "Get the Scoop with Smirk’s," hosts Jessica Warden and Zach Schwindt took us on a deep dive into the top 10 bakery trends for 2024. As industry experts who live and breathe baked goods, Jessica and Zach not only shared their insights but also gave us a glimpse of how Smirk’s, a leading supplier of organic and conventional bulk bakery ingredients, is at the forefront of these trends. Here's a breakdown of the key takeaways from their engaging discussion in a top 10 countdown format:

    10. Vanilla: A Nostalgic Favorite

    9. 3D Printing: The Future of Baking

    8. Alternate Sweeteners

    7. Social Media's Influence on Bakery Trends

    6. Gluten Free Bakery Items

    5. Functional Foods

    4. Seeds and Seed Flours

    3. High Protein Baked Goods

    2. Plant-Based and Vegan Baked Goods

    1. Sustainability, Upcycled Ingredients and a Resurgence of Organic

    This episode of "Get the Scoop with Smirks" not only provides a comprehensive look at the trends shaping the future of the bakery industry but also showcased how Smirks is leading the way with innovative products and solutions. Whether you're a professional baker or a home baking enthusiast, staying on top of these trends will ensure you’re ahead of the curve in 2024.

    Navigating Supply Chain Challenges

    Garrett McBride, along with his colleagues Jessica Warden and Zach Schwint, delved into the complexities of supply chain management and how Smirks continues to add value for its customers in an ever-evolving market. Here’s a closer look at the key topics they discuss in detail:

    · Strategic Risk Management and Cost Optimization

    · Flexibility in Contracting and Supply Chain Diversification

    · Responding to Global Challenges: El Niño and Beyond

    · The Importance of Prior Planning and Industry Expertise

    This episode of *Get the Scoop with Smirks* underscores the value of having a trusted partner like Smirks in the complex world of ingredient supply chains. From strategic risk management to navigating global challenges, Smirks continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping customers succeed, no matter what the market throws their way.

    August 2024 Smirks Market Report Highlights

    The August 2024 Smirks Market Report provides crucial insights into the current state of the global ingredient markets, with a focus on ocean freight challenges, weather impacts, and crop conditions. Here are the key takeaways:

    Ocean Freight Issues

    · Sunflower Market

    · Pumpkin Market

    ·Coconut Market

    · Coconut Sugar

    · Chia Market

    · Mango Market

    · Cashew Market

    Macadamia Market

    · The Smirk’s team advises customers to act quickly on securing contracts and planning for supply needs into 2025, especially given the ongoing global challenges. For more detailed information or specific inquiries, reach out to the Smirk’s team for support.

    Contact Smirk's: hello@smirk's.com
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    1 hr and 8 mins

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