Simonian Fruit, Retro Tech, and Kitchen Oddities — 2001 Throwback

This week on the Produce Pair Historic Archives, we turn the clock back to October 2, 2004, when the Produce Pair welcomed registered dietitian and nutritionist Kathy Napoli to the show.Dan the Produce Man, Guido the Gardener, Kathy, and her husband yuck it up over fresh fruits and vegetables before getting down to some serious business: nutrition, healthy eating, and where the food and nutrition world appeared to be heading back in 2004.It’s fun, it’s informative, and it’s a genuine time capsule from more than two decades ago.At the time, the Produce Pair Radio Show was broadcasting live every Saturday morning on the Talk America Radio Network and Universal Talk Network, reaching stations across the country.So turn back the clock, tune in, and enjoy another classic from the Produce Pair Historic Archives!

The Produce Pair Radio Show Historic Archives - May 8, 1999- on the Talk America Radio Network.Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener welcomed twoguests: Larry Waterfield, Washington, D.C. editor with The Packer, andLorelei DiSogra, Director of Nutrition for Dole Food Company.The topic? Big food companies were supplying cash-strappedschools with soda machines while kids’ lunches were filled with foods that werenot exactly nutritional powerhouses.This was a time when the media and the produce industry werejust starting to sound the alarm, and fresh produce was already competing withbig food company funding.We also promoted a Dole interactive CD-ROM giveaway forcallers and listeners.The episode was recorded live at Paul’s Produce with anoutdoor studio audience featuring on-site grilled vegetables, cut fruitsamples, and a whole lot more going on. This was one of many live remotes TheProduce Pair did at many other locations in the SF Bay Area.The Produce Pair Radio Show was broadcast nationwide on over500 stations across the Talk America Radio Network.This is a real piece of fresh produce history from 27 years ago - so tune inand turn on!

This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Historic Archives, we roll back to February 23, 2002, as Dan and Guido welcome The Border Girls, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.These two are pioneers of modern Mexican cuisine and true culinary trailblazers. With a partnership spanning more than 40 years, they built an empire that helped shape the Southern California restaurant scene, including the iconic Border Grill. Many know them from nearly 400 episodes of Too Hot Tamales and Tamales World Tour on the Food Network. They were also the first women to receive the Julia Child Award in 2018.We talk about the food behind the movie Tortilla Soup, and how Héctor Elizondo mastered the recipes for the role. We dive into their restaurants, breaking barriers in a male dominated industry, and they share practical tips you can use in your own kitchen.Classic Produce Pair fun with serious culinary firepower.This show will open up and excite your culinary creativity, so tune in and turn on.

This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Historic Archives, we step back to January 18, 2003 - the week we added the Universal Talk Network to our list of stations. Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener dig into Red D’Anjou pears, Lee mandarins, Texas citrus, sunchokes, early asparagus, and more. We also answer a great listener question: why were the Kinnow mandarin and the Mercott orange renamed, and what was happening in the fresh produce world at the time.It’s a snapshot of what was happening 23 years ago in fresh produce, straight from the mic so Tune in… and turn on!

This week on The Produce Pair Radio Archives, we go wayyy back to when the show was still in its infancy — January 2, 1999.Trivia question: what 1960s band recorded the song “Broccoli”?Guido the Gardener shares his Produce Predictions for 1999, we tackle the question of who is the patron saint of broadcasters, and have some real fun with callers.It’s a laid-back, energetic, and genuinely fun show, broadcast live from the cozy, warm home of our producer Jay Michaels.Hear what was happening in the world of fresh produce at the very start of 1999 - tune in and turn on!

This week on the Produce Pair Historic Radio Archives, we roll back the clock to December 11, 2004 with Albert Keck (K-E-C-K) of Hadley Dates.Albert joins Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener for a fun, information-packed conversation covering everything you ever wanted to know about date growing, availability, varieties, and how dates are used throughout the holiday season.Originally broadcast on the Talk America Radio Network to stations across the country, this episode is a great look back at the fresh produce world as it stood in 2004. So tune in and turn on!

This week on The Produce Pair Radio Show – Historic Archives…We’re stepping back to November 6th, 1999, when Guido the Gardener and Dan the Produce Man welcomed the one and only Produce Chef Tony Merola — author of Floribbean Flavors and an all-around fresh-produce legend.Chef Tony brings a ton of goodies to the table:• His special turkey brining tips• Roasting tips and times• Ham roasting tips• BBQ and smoking tips• Broccoli Rabe• Avocado Varieties• Plus a whole lot of fun with callersIt’s a lively, flavorful blast from the past…Tune in and turn on!

This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show – Historic Radio Archives, we step back to October 20th, 2001.Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener welcome David Simonian of Simonian Fruit Company for a deep dive into pomegranates — varieties, growing regions, and why this bold, ruby-red fruit deserves a spot in every kitchen.Then the guys tackle some early-2000s “cutting-edge” tech:➡️ Should they finally buy a digital camera to post photos on their website, or stick with developing film at the local drugstore?Plus, listener calls spark conversations about:Fiddlehead ferns (even though it’s totally the wrong season)Yucca root tipsBetter ways to cook beansThe Produce Pair Radio Show Archives.Tune in and turn on!

This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Archives, we’re rolling back to September 29th, 2001 with none other than Mark Todd, the Cheese Dude! That’s right — it’s a show packed with cheesy goodness and a whole lot of fun.Mark takes us through the history and origins of different cheeses, explains what the wax colors mean and why they matter, and even tosses in some fascinating cheese trivia. Plus, we explore some incredible California varieties.Whether you’re a cheese lover or just looking for a fun and flavorful listen, this one’s for you. It’s all right here on the Produce Pair Historic Archives, from the Talk America Radio Network.Tune in and turn on!

This week on the Produce Pair Radio Show Archives, Dan the Produce Man and Guido the Gardener are joined by two special guests!First, we step back to September 14, 2002, when Australian navel oranges were just starting to make their way into the U.S. market. David Mixon of DNE World Fruit Sales joins us to talk about this exciting development and what it meant for the produce world at the time.Then, we’re joined by one of our all-time favorite guests throughout the history of the Produce Pair Radio Show — Chef Carlo Middione. Carlo was a celebrated cookbook author (The Food of Southern Italy, La Vera Cucina, Carlo Middione’s Traditional Pasta), chef-restaurateur, television personality, and owner of the beloved Vivande Portavia at Opera Plaza and Vivande on California Street in San Francisco.Carlo’s passion for food and his genuine warmth made every appearance unforgettable. In this episode, he shares some incredible dishes, including:Sicilian breadBlack Mission figs with goat cheese ice creamCarrots sautéed and caramelized with heirloom tomatoesRomano bean saladFried cauliflowerArugula oil and eggplantNuns’ Thighs - plum sauce…and much more!It’s a lively, delicious, and nostalgic episode you won’t want to miss - it’s all here on the Produce Pair Radio Show Archives - Tune in and turn on!