PFMA podcast dives into AI, retail tech, and beverage trends

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is launching Season 10 of its Shelf Confidence podcast. 

The podcast focuses on trends, innovation, and issues shaping the food and beverage industry. Season 10 premieres July 30 with new episodes released Thursday mornings on PFMA’s social media channels, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the PFMA website and all major podcast platforms. 

“Shelf Confidence continues to give PFMA members and industry partners a direct look at the issues, ideas and innovations shaping food and beverage businesses across Pennsylvania,” Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA said in a statement. “This season features a strong mix of practical business topics and important community issues, with guests who bring real insight to the challenges and opportunities facing our members.” 

The new season brings together industry leaders, public officials and subject matter experts for conversations on human trafficking awareness, beverage trends, recycling, retail technology, reverse audits, loss prevention and the Pennsylvania Lottery. According to a release, each episode is designed to provide practical insights, real-world examples and actionable takeaways that PFMA members can apply to their businesses, while also highlighting broader issues impacting communities and the evolving food and beverage landscape across Pennsylvania. 

The Season 10 schedule includes the following: 

July 30 — PFMA Talks Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention: Guests include Philadelphia City Councilmember Nina Ahmad; Marisa Balanda, Deputy Policy Director at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; and Laura Cyrus, Senior Director of Industry Training and Outreach at TAT. 

Aug. 6 — PFMA Talks the Business of Beverages with Vintage Imports: PFMA Member Vintage Imports guests Dan Johnson, WEP Program Development; Michael Hodges, Grocery and Chain Retail; and Trevor Nare, Trends and Retail Insights, join the show to discuss Pennsylvania’s changing beverage market. 

Aug. 13 — PFMA Talks Beyond the Blue Bin with Gateway Recycling: Doug Moderick, Senior Account Executive at PFMA Member Gateway Recycling, joins Shelf Confidence to discuss commercial recycling, sustainability and practical ways food and beverage businesses can manage materials more effectively. 

Aug. 20 — PFMA Talks Retail Tech with Ravyx: Farrell McKenna, President of PFMA Member Ravyx, joins the podcast for a conversation about modernization for small and mid-sized food and beverage retailers. 

Aug. 27 — PFMA Talks Reverse Audits with KeyTax: Corey Deibler, President of PFMA Member KeyTax, and Michael Schuenemann, VP of Partnerships & Business Development at KeyTax, join the show to explain sales and use tax reverse audits. 

Sept. 3 — PFMA Talks Loss Prevention with Spotts Insurance: Angel Ross, Commercial Insurance Advisor at PFMA Member Spotts Insurance, joins Shelf Confidence to discuss loss prevention through the lens of risk management. 

Sept. 10 — PFMA Talks Lotto with the Pennsylvania Lottery: Drew Svitko, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery, and Eric Grubbs, Deputy Executive Director of Sales and Retail Operations, return to Shelf Confidence to discuss what’s new as the lottery approaches its 55th anniversary.