The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) will debut Season 9 of its podcast, Shelf Confidence, on Thursday, March 12, with new weekly episodes every Thursday focused on practical leadership and real-world challenges across Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry.
The Season 9 trailer will be released Monday, March 9, with full episodes launching weekly each Thursday beginning March 12. The new season will feature conversations with industry leaders, nonprofit partners, and business innovators who are shaping the future of the food system across the Commonwealth.
Hosted by PFMA’s John Zimmerman, Shelf Confidence brings together experts from across the industry to discuss issues that directly impact retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and service providers. The podcast is designed to offer practical insight and real-world perspective on the trends, challenges, and innovations affecting food businesses today.
Season 9 will explore a wide range of topics, including food access, workforce strategy, energy planning, marketing and brand engagement, sustainability, emerging technology, and operational decision-making. Each episode highlights how collaboration across the food system helps businesses adapt and communities thrive.
Guests this season include leaders from organizations such as Feeding Pennsylvania, Old City Media, Woodland Biomass Innovations, Sharing Excess, Assured Partners, World Kinect, Upshop, DoorDash, and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania. Their conversations will provide insight into how partnerships across the industry are addressing complex challenges while creating new opportunities for operators.
“Season 9 reflects the breadth and complexity of issues shaping Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry,” said Alex Baloga, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. “From food access and workforce strategy to energy planning, marketing, and emerging technology, these conversations highlight the partnerships and practical leadership that keep our industry strong and our communities supported.”
New episodes of Shelf Confidence will be available every Thursday beginning March 12 on major podcast platforms and YouTube. ■