The pineapple may have begun as a rare curiosity from the tropics, but by the 18th century, it had become a symbol of imperial power, elite refinement, and national rivalry. In this second and final part of their journey into the history of the world’s most flamboyant fruit, John and Patrick explore the height of pineapple mania in Georgian Britain, where aristocrats competed to grow the perfect specimen in lavish “pineries,” often at extraordinary cost. Possessing a pineapple was no longer just a sign of wealth - it was a performance of dominance, control, and taste.

But the fruit’s story didn’t end in the hothouses of Surrey. As tensions simmered between Britain and its American colonies, the pineapple -by now appearing in colonial door frames, tableware, and rebellion-fueled satire - played an unexpected supporting role in the growing transatlantic divide.

By the 19th century, technological innovations transformed the fruit from rarefied luxury to household staple, while industrial canning and the rise of plantation production brought pineapples into the homes of an emerging American middle class.

From the lush fields of Florida to the imperial fantasies projected onto Hawaii, the pineapple was reshaped, rebranded, and ultimately reborn as a golden icon of tropical abundance. But behind its sunny image lay a legacy of labor, land seizure, and corporate control. And just when it seemed the fresh pineapple had been lost to a syrupy tin, it made a glittering comeback with the launch of the Gold Pineapple, engineered for sweetness, shelf life, and spectacle.

Join John and Patrick for the extraordinary conclusion of the pineapple’s global odyssey - one of science, scandal, colonial ambition, and the enduring power of fruit to shape empires.

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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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This Friday the 13th, there’s no superstition—just produce ambition!

Ross and Dan are talking summer veg with Henry Dill of D’Arrigo Produce.

What’s going down in Salinas? What should be going on your plate?

We’re serving up fresh updates and seasonal goodies—

So tune in and turn on—it’s Fresh From the Field Fridays!

In this episode, we head to Bonita Springs, Florida, for an inside look at the Florida Citrus Mutual Annual Conference, where the heart of the Sunshine State’s citrus community gathered last week. From growers and packers to scientists, shippers, marketers, and environmental advocates—this event brought together the brightest minds and the most passionate people working to secure the future of Florida citrus.

Host Patrick Kelly recaps the biggest moments from the conference, including groundbreaking discussions on new citrus varietals, innovative HLB (citrus greening) research, and the marketing strategies poised to keep Florida citrus strong and competitive.

🍊 If you care about the future of fresh citrus, sustainable farming, and innovation in ag, this episode is a must-listen!

What does it really take to succeed in China’s booming fresh produce market? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Annette Partida, a seasoned industry expert who spent twelve years living, working, and thriving in China. From mastering Mandarin to navigating complex cultural dynamics, Annette shares insider tips for anyone looking to export avocados, cherries, or other commodities into the world's fastest-growing import market. If you're serious about doing business in China, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.

First Class Sponsorship: Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Standard Sponsor: Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/ ,

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The pineapple - today a familiar tropical fruit, boxed in lunch kits and blended in cocktails - was once the most exotic and awe-inspiring delicacy known to Europeans. Its journey from the hands of Indigenous cultivators in the rainforests of South America to the hothouses of Georgian England is a tale of exploration, obsession, imperial rivalry, and horticultural espionage.

In this first episode of a two-part series, John and Patrick trace the pineapple’s origins to the Tupi-Guarani people, for whom the nana was a cherished crop. Then came Columbus, who encountered the fruit on the island of Guadeloupe and, dazzled by its flavour, brought it back to Spain as a trophy of the New World - presenting it to King Ferdinand as evidence of the riches ripe for conquest. From there, the pineapple set off on an extraordinary global voyage, becoming an object of fascination in courts and colonies alike.

Within decades, the fruit had spread to Asia and Africa, and it wasn’t long before European elites became obsessed. In England, King Charles II embraced the pineapple as a symbol of royal magnificence, commissioning portraits to cement its mythic status. Meanwhile, the Dutch, ever resourceful, mastered the art of growing pineapples using rotting tanners bark in heated greenhouses, setting off a botanical arms race. The English soon caught up thanks, ironically, to a Dutchman of their own.

Join John and Patrick as they uncover the tropical fruit that ignited imperial rivalries, captured royal imaginations, and reshaped global agriculture. The humble pineapple was never just a fruit - it was power, prestige, and paradise incarnate.

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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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In this special episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly welcomes longtime friend and co-author Dr. Hans Finzel—renowned leadership expert and co-author of Millennial BOOM. Broadcasting live from Tampa, the two dive into Dr. Finzel’s iconic leadership book, Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make, and explore what timeless leadership looks like in today’s fast-paced, generationally diverse world.

From navigating the workplace gap between Boomers and Millennials to avoiding the pitfalls that sink even the most well-meaning leaders, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and practical wisdom. Whether you’re leading a team in agriculture, business, or beyond—this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

These two share great memories with each other and their journey is a one to remember!

🌱 Fresh From the Field Fridays 🌽

This Week with Ross & Dan

🎙️ On the Mic: Ross and Dan are back, chatting all things fresh and local as the farmers markets open up across Indianapolis! From homegrown produce to artisan goods, it’s the best time of year to support your local food scene.

🗞️ In This Episode:

• Ross’s Recap of WCPE
• Get Ross’s take on the latest from the West Coast Produce Expo—insights, highlights, and what it means for your plate.
• What Is Local?
• Dan and Ross dig into the question: “What does ‘local’ mean to you?” They’ll share their own thoughts and want to hear yours too
• Ross’s Crop Report
• From greens to roots—get the latest on what's coming out of the ground this week. What’s fresh? What’s next?
• 🌟 First of the Season: Reed Avocados!
• That’s right—the big, creamy, nutty Reed avocados are starting to roll in. If you haven’t tried them, now’s the time.

It’s Fresh From the Field Fridays—where flavor meets the farm.

Tariffs might seem like dusty matters for economists, but their effects on fresh produce have been anything but dry. In this episode, John and Patrick trace the surprising - and at times surreal - impact of American trade policy on fruits and vegetables.

First, they dive into the Mongrel Tariff Act of 1883, where a tomato’s very identity was put on trial to decide whether it was a fruit or vegetable. Next it’s on to the chaos of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, a protectionist gamble that backfired spectacularly on American farmers during the Great Depression. Then, they move on to more recent history to discuss the so-called "Banana Wars" - a bitter trade dispute between the United States and Europe that saw fresh produce caught in the crossfire. Finally, John and Patrick turn to the present day, asking what Trump’s tariff wars have meant for modern growers, and whether history offers any guidance for navigating the uncertain future of fresh produce.

----------

In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

-----------

Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.

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• Share this episode with your friends
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Email: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com