This show explores how almond growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the industry forward.
Host Tim Hammerich is visiting with almond leaders throughout California who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.
Hearing the voices of these industry leaders might spark a connection or idea you can use in your own journey. That’s why we want to feature these stories of innovation, resilience, and community.
Mani Pandher joins the Journey to discuss the market for California almonds in India, and some exciting strategic changes to drive even more demand. Pandher discusses the history of success for California almonds in India, which has already become California’s top export destination. She also shares the opportunity yet to be realized in the market and answers what the Almond Board is doing to adapt: repositioning almonds, driving demand through integrated campaigns, and winning over younger shoppers.
“When you have consumer love, emotional connection and credibility for a brand; that is what long term growth is built on. And that is what we’re trying to do in India.” - Mani Pandher
In Today’s episode:
Meet Mani Pandher, senior strategic advisor at the Almond Board of California
Explore the successful history of California almonds in India
Discover the reinvented strategy for growing demand for California almonds in the region.
The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.
ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices
17 Sept 2026
Marketing Bulletin: Inspiring Premium Bakery Innovation in Mexico
September’s Marketing Bulletin explores how the Almond Board of California is growing demand for California almonds in Mexico’s bakery sector. ABC’s Becky Jeffers shares how they identified Mexico’s premium bakery category as a strong opportunity for almond usage and how the organization is working directly with bakers, culinary schools, chefs and industry events to inspire new almond-based products. From hands-on workshops and major trade shows to an upcoming harvest tour in California’s Central Valley, the episode highlights how education, creativity and personal connection are helping bring almonds to the forefront of bakery innovation in Mexico.
15 Sept 2026
Episode 104: Nutrition Trends and Where Almonds Fit
Andrea Carrothers and Carmen Berry of FoodMinds join the Journey to provide a look back, and ahead, of what’s happening globally in terms of nutrition policy that may affect almonds. FoodMinds partners with the Almond Board of California and their recent report focuses on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative and as a result the interest in defining the term “ultra processed food.” Explore how this movement could impact the almond industry specifically, and why it’s important to be part of the conversation.
“ We know almonds are nutrient dense and have a lot of health benefits, and then it's being compared to a product that doesn't have nutrient dense foods. It's hard to compare apples to apples.” - Carmen Berry
In Today’s episode:
Meet Andrea Carrothers and Carmen Berry of FoodMinds
Explore the impacts of the MAHA movement on the almond industry
Discover the significance in having a clear definition for what the label “Ultra Processed Food” means
The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.
ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.
Who has been a guest on Almond Journey
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Cory Broad
Bobbie Williams
Mike Sonke
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
14 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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