DIY Food Manufacturing, Responding to Market Disruption, Unlocking Formulation Secrets

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Omnivore

Episode Description

Learn from the brightest minds in food science in the July episodes of the Omnivore podcast.

Julie Smolyansky, CEO and president of Lifeway Foods, talks about her decision to keep manufacturing in house after her father, a mechanical engineer, started the company in 1986. Rob Dongoski, global lead for food and agriculture at Kearney, shares his thoughts on how food companies should be responding to the impact of inflation and other market-disrupting challenges. Sargento Foods’ Dr. Karthik Sajith Babu and Kartik Shah return to the Omnivore podcast to talk about how to unlock the keys to successful new product formulations.

Plus: This episode of Omnivore is brought to you by Almond Board of California. Almonds offer endless possibilities for innovation. Visit Almonds.com/Trends to learn more.

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Featured Guests

Julie Smolyansky

Julie Smolyansky has been president and CEO of Lifeway Foods since 2002. The company was founded by her refugee father in 1986 with the mission of bringing Kefir, an Eastern European product, into the U.S. mainstream.
Rob Dongoski Global Lead, Food & Agribusiness, Kearney

Rob Dongoski is global lead for food and agribusiness at Kearney, a strategy and management consulting firm. His career path has taken him from accounting to technology consulting to management consulting with a focus at Kearney on food and agribusiness.
Karthik Sajith Babu Senior Research Scientist

Karthik Sajith Babu, PhD, is senior research scientist, Sargento Foods and a member of IFT’s Product Development Division.
Kartik Shah Technology Principal

Kartik Shah is technology principal, Sargento Foods and a member of IFT’s Product Development Division. He has extensive experience in manufacturing, manufacturing analysis, continual improvement, and personnel management.

Omnivore

IFT’s Omnivore and Omnivore Presents: SciDish podcasts spark lively, thought-provoking conversations with the science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food. Each episode delivers sharp analysis, practical insights, and bold ideas designed to challenge assumptions, ignite innovation, and energize your work across the global food system.

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