Latest / Omni Talk Retail / Alyssa Vescio on Quality, Purpose, and Growth at The Fresh Market | FMI 2026

Transcript

Alyssa Vescio on Quality, Purpose, and Growth at The Fresh Market | FMI 2026 · Omni Talk Retail

• 0:00
  Hello.
• 0:01
  Welcome
• 0:01
  back
• 0:01
  to
• 0:02
  day
• 0:02
  three
• 0:02
  of
• 0:03
  fmi.
• 0:03
  This
• 0:04
  is
• 0:04
  Omnitalk
• 0:04
  Retail.
• 0:05
  I'm
• 0:05
  Anne
• 0:05
  Mazinga.
• 0:06
  And
• 0:06
  I'm
• 0:06
  Chris
• 0:06
  Walton.
• 0:06
  And
• 0:07
  we
• 0:07
  are
• 0:07
  coming
• 0:07
  to
• 0:07
  you
• 0:08
  live
• 0:08
  from
• 0:08
  the
• 0:09
  simbi
• 0:09
  booth,
• 0:09
  number
• 0:10
  118
• 0:10
  in
• 0:11
  the
• 0:11
  FMI
• 0:11
  tech
• 0:11
  section.
• 0:12
  And
• 0:13
  we
• 0:13
  are
• 0:13
  kicking
• 0:13
  things
• 0:14
  off
• 0:14
  for
• 0:14
  day
• 0:15
  three
• 0:15
  with
• 0:16
  the
• 0:16
  woman
• 0:17
  standing
• 0:17
  between
• 0:17
  us
• 0:18
  here,
• 0:18
  Alyssa
• 0:19
  Vesho,
• 0:20
  the
• 0:20
  chief
• 0:21
  merchandising
• 0:22
  officer
• 0:22
  at
• 0:22
  the
• 0:23
  Fresh
• 0:23
  Market.
• 0:23
  Alyssa,
• 0:24
  welcome.
• 0:24
  Thank
• 0:24
  you.
• 0:25
  Thank
• 0:25
  you
• 0:25
  for
• 0:25
  having
• 0:25
  me.
• 0:25
  Yeah,
• 0:26
  we're
• 0:26
  excited
• 0:26
  you
• 0:27
  made
• 0:27
  the
• 0:27
  time
• 0:27
  to
• 0:27
  stop
• 0:28
  by
• 0:28
  with
• 0:28
  all
• 0:28
  of
• 0:28
  the
• 0:29
  things
• 0:29
  going
• 0:29
  on
• 0:29
  here.
• 0:29
  So
• 0:29
  thank
• 0:30
  you.
• 0:30
  I'm
• 0:30
  happy
• 0:30
  to
• 0:30
  be
• 0:30
  here.
• 0:31
  I
• 0:31
  know
• 0:31
  we've
• 0:31
  wanted
• 0:31
  to
• 0:31
  chat
• 0:32
  for
• 0:32
  a
• 0:32
  while.
• 0:33
  Oh,
• 0:33
  my
• 0:33
  God.
• 0:33
  I
• 0:33
  was
• 0:33
  just
• 0:33
  gonna
• 0:33
  say
• 0:34
  that
• 0:34
  I
• 0:34
  think
• 0:34
  for
• 0:34
  every
• 0:35
  grocery
• 0:35
  conference,
• 0:36
  you've
• 0:36
  been
• 0:36
  on
• 0:36
  my
• 0:36
  list
• 0:36
  to
• 0:37
  be
• 0:37
  like,
• 0:37
  are
• 0:37
  you
• 0:37
  going
• 0:37
  to
• 0:38
  be
• 0:38
  there?
• 0:38
  I
• 0:39
  want
• 0:39
  to
• 0:39
  try
• 0:39
  to
• 0:39
  talk
• 0:39
  to
• 0:40
  you.
• 0:40
  And
• 0:40
  we
• 0:40
  finally
• 0:41
  made
• 0:41
  it
• 0:41
  happen.
• 0:42
  So
• 0:42
  explain
• 0:43
  to
• 0:43
  the
• 0:43
  audience
• 0:43
  why
• 0:43
  that
• 0:43
  is.
• 0:44
  Because
• 0:44
  you
• 0:44
  and
• 0:44
  I
• 0:44
  used
• 0:44
  to
• 0:44
  work
• 0:45
  together.
• 0:45
  You
• 0:45
  used
• 0:46
  to
• 0:46
  work
• 0:46
  at
• 0:46
  Target
• 0:46
  and
• 0:46
  used
• 0:47
  to
• 0:47
  work
• 0:47
  at
• 0:47
  Target,
• 0:47
  too,
• 0:47
  so.
• 0:48
  But
• 0:48
  explain
• 0:48
  to
• 0:49
  our
• 0:49
  audience
• 0:49
  who
• 0:49
  you
• 0:49
  are,
• 0:49
  what
• 0:50
  your
• 0:50
  background
• 0:50
  is,
• 0:50
  because
• 0:50
  it's
• 0:51
  really
• 0:51
  interesting
• 0:51
  when
• 0:51
  you
• 0:51
  get
• 0:51
  right
• 0:51
  down
• 0:52
  to
• 0:52
  it.
• 0:52
  Sure.
• 0:52
  I
• 0:53
  mean,
• 0:53
  I
• 0:53
  think
• 0:53
  I'll
• 0:53
  start
• 0:53
  by
• 0:53
  sharing
• 0:54
  just
• 0:54
  a
• 0:54
  little
• 0:54
  bit
• 0:54
  about
• 0:55
  who
• 0:55
  I
• 0:55
  am.
• 0:55
  I'm
• 0:56
  originally
• 0:56
  from
• 0:56
  Minnesota.
• 0:58
  All
• 0:58
  right.
• 0:58
  I'm
• 0:58
  an
• 0:58
  oldest
• 0:59
  child.
• 0:59
  Okay.
• 1:00
  Virgo.
• 1:01
  These
• 1:01
  are
• 1:01
  all
• 1:01
  things
• 1:01
  that
• 1:02
  say
• 1:02
  a
• 1:02
  lot
• 1:02
  about
• 1:03
  who
• 1:03
  I
• 1:03
  am.
• 1:04
  We've
• 1:04
  got
• 1:04
  birth
• 1:04
  order,
• 1:05
  numerology,
• 1:06
  all
• 1:06
  the.
• 1:06
  Things
• 1:07
  give
• 1:07
  you
• 1:07
  a
• 1:07
  little
• 1:08
  context
• 1:08
  of
• 1:08
  who
• 1:09
  I
• 1:09
  am.
• 1:10
  Appreciate
• 1:10
  it.
• 1:11
  Appreciate
• 1:11
  it.
• 1:11
  I'm
• 1:12
  also,
• 1:12
  you
• 1:12
  know,
• 1:12
  a
• 1:12
  wife
• 1:13
  and
• 1:13
  a
• 1:13
  mom.
• 1:14
  And
• 1:15
  one
• 1:15
  of
• 1:15
  the
• 1:15
  things
• 1:16
  that
• 1:16
  has
• 1:16
  been
• 1:16
  a
• 1:16
  key
• 1:16
  motivator
• 1:17
  for
• 1:17
  me
• 1:17
  in
• 1:18
  life,
• 1:18
  but
• 1:18
  also
• 1:18
  in
• 1:19
  my
• 1:19
  career
• 1:19
  is
• 1:19
  discontent.
• 1:20
  Like,
• 1:21
  I'm
• 1:21
  a
• 1:21
  very
• 1:22
  optimistic
• 1:23
  person.
• 1:23
  I
• 1:24
  like
• 1:24
  to
• 1:24
  spread
• 1:24
  positivity,
• 1:25
  But
• 1:25
  I'm
• 1:25
  also
• 1:26
  fueled
• 1:26
  by
• 1:26
  this
• 1:27
  healthy
• 1:27
  sense
• 1:27
  of
• 1:27
  discontent.
• 1:28
  Okay.
• 1:29
  And
• 1:29
  that's
• 1:29
  been
• 1:29
  a
• 1:29
  key
• 1:29
  driver
• 1:30
  of
• 1:30
  my
• 1:31
  career.
• 1:32
  So
• 1:32
  I
• 1:32
  started
• 1:32
  working
• 1:33
  in
• 1:33
  retail
• 1:33
  stores
• 1:33
  when
• 1:34
  I
• 1:34
  was
• 1:34
  16.
• 1:34
  You
• 1:35
  know,
• 1:35
  prior
• 1:35
  to
• 1:35
  that,
• 1:35
  I
• 1:35
  was
• 1:35
  babysitting,
• 1:36
  but
• 1:36
  Once
• 1:36
  I
• 1:36
  turned
• 1:37
  16,
• 1:37
  I
• 1:37
  started
• 1:38
  working
• 1:38
  in
• 1:38
  stores.
• 1:39
  That
• 1:40
  would
• 1:40
  give
• 1:40
  you
• 1:40
  an
• 1:40
  appreciation
• 1:40
  of
• 1:40
  discontent.
• 1:41
  Yeah,
• 1:41
  pretty
• 1:42
  quickly.
• 1:42
  Yeah.
• 1:42
  Both
• 1:43
  of
• 1:43
  those
• 1:43
  things.
• 1:43
  Yeah.
• 1:44
  Babysitting,
• 1:44
  too,
• 1:44
  right?
• 1:45
  Yeah.
• 1:45
  Right.
• 1:45
  Yes.
• 1:46
  But
• 1:47
  from
• 1:47
  there,
• 1:47
  when
• 1:47
  I
• 1:47
  was
• 1:48
  getting
• 1:48
  my
• 1:48
  undergrad
• 1:48
  degree
• 1:49
  at
• 1:49
  a
• 1:49
  small
• 1:50
  liberal
• 1:50
  arts
• 1:50
  school
• 1:51
  in
• 1:51
  Minnesota,
• 1:51
  I
• 1:52
  started
• 1:52
  working
• 1:52
  at
• 1:52
  Target
• 1:53
  at
• 1:54
  a
• 1:54
  call
• 1:54
  center,
• 1:54
  actually
• 1:55
  doing
• 1:55
  guest
• 1:55
  relations
• 1:56
  and
• 1:56
  store
• 1:57
  support
• 1:57
  calls.
• 1:58
  And
• 1:59
  that,
• 1:59
  I
• 1:59
  would
• 1:59
  say,
• 1:59
  is
• 1:59
  when
• 1:59
  I
• 2:00
  really
• 2:00
  kicked
• 2:00
  off
• 2:00
  my
• 2:01
  career
• 2:02
  in
• 2:02
  retail.
• 2:03
  From
• 2:03
  there,
• 2:03
  I
• 2:03
  moved
• 2:04
  over
• 2:04
  to
• 2:04
  merchandising.
• 2:04
  In
• 2:05
  total,
• 2:05
  I
• 2:05
  spent
• 2:06
  over
• 2:06
  17
• 2:06
  years
• 2:07
  at
• 2:07
  Target,
• 2:07
  as
• 2:08
  you
• 2:08
  know,
• 2:09
  really.
• 2:09
  Across
• 2:10
  multiple
• 2:10
  disciplines.
• 2:11
  And
• 2:12
  categories.
• 2:13
  A
• 2:13
  lot
• 2:13
  of
• 2:13
  my
• 2:14
  time
• 2:14
  was
• 2:14
  based
• 2:14
  in
• 2:14
  food,
• 2:15
  but
• 2:15
  I
• 2:15
  got
• 2:15
  to
• 2:15
  do
• 2:15
  everything
• 2:16
  from
• 2:16
  inventory
• 2:17
  planning
• 2:17
  to
• 2:17
  space
• 2:18
  planning
• 2:18
  to
• 2:18
  category
• 2:19
  management
• 2:19
  to
• 2:20
  private
• 2:20
  label.
• 2:21
  So
• 2:21
  in
• 2:21
  total,
• 2:22
  again,
• 2:22
  over
• 2:22
  17
• 2:22
  years
• 2:23
  there.
• 2:23
  Yeah,
• 2:24
  I
• 2:24
  spent
• 2:24
  the
• 2:24
  last
• 2:24
  eight
• 2:25
  years
• 2:25
  at
• 2:25
  whole
• 2:25
  Foods
• 2:26
  Market
• 2:26
  really
• 2:26
  helping
• 2:27
  build
• 2:27
  a
• 2:28
  merchandising
• 2:28
  function
• 2:29
  from
• 2:29
  the
• 2:30
  ground
• 2:30
  up.
• 2:30
  And
• 2:31
  you
• 2:31
  started
• 2:31
  there
• 2:31
  the
• 2:32
  first
• 2:32
  week
• 2:32
  that.
• 2:33
  Your
• 2:33
  first
• 2:34
  week
• 2:34
  there
• 2:34
  was
• 2:34
  the
• 2:34
  week
• 2:35
  that
• 2:35
  Amazon
• 2:35
  acquired
• 2:36
  Whole
• 2:36
  Foods,
• 2:36
  right?
• 2:36
  Is
• 2:36
  that
• 2:36
  right?
• 2:37
  Yeah.
• 2:37
  Wow.
• 2:37
  Yes.
• 2:37
  My
• 2:38
  very
• 2:38
  first
• 2:38
  week
• 2:39
  was
• 2:39
  the
• 2:39
  week
• 2:39
  that
• 2:39
  the
• 2:40
  Amazon
• 2:40
  acquisition
• 2:40
  was
• 2:41
  announced,
• 2:41
  which
• 2:42
  was
• 2:42
  a
• 2:42
  really
• 2:42
  interesting
• 2:43
  moment.
• 2:44
  I
• 2:44
  can
• 2:45
  only
• 2:45
  imagine.
• 2:46
  So
• 2:46
  being
• 2:46
  a
• 2:47
  part
• 2:47
  of
• 2:47
  the
• 2:47
  Amazon
• 2:47
  family
• 2:48
  was
• 2:48
  really
• 2:48
  the
• 2:48
  experience
• 2:49
  that
• 2:49
  I
• 2:49
  had
• 2:49
  at
• 2:49
  Whole
• 2:49
  Foods.
• 2:50
  But
• 2:51
  it
• 2:51
  was
• 2:51
  a
• 2:51
  really
• 2:51
  incredible
• 2:52
  opportunity
• 2:52
  again,
• 2:53
  to
• 2:53
  take
• 2:54
  this
• 2:54
  very
• 2:54
  purpose
• 2:54
  driven
• 2:55
  retailer
• 2:55
  to
• 2:56
  build
• 2:56
  a
• 2:56
  merchandising
• 2:57
  function
• 2:57
  and
• 2:58
  to
• 2:58
  ensure
• 2:58
  that
• 2:58
  it
• 2:58
  was
• 2:59
  positioned
• 2:59
  to
• 2:59
  be
• 2:59
  able
• 2:59
  to
• 3:00
  scale
• 3:00
  and
• 3:00
  sustain
• 3:01
  over
• 3:01
  time.
• 3:02
  And
• 3:02
  then
• 3:02
  in
• 3:03
  November,
• 3:03
  I
• 3:03
  joined
• 3:03
  the
• 3:03
  Fresh
• 3:04
  Market.
• 3:04
  And
• 3:04
  I
• 3:04
  could
• 3:05
  not
• 3:05
  be
• 3:05
  more
• 3:05
  excited
• 3:06
  to
• 3:06
  be
• 3:06
  here
• 3:06
  and
• 3:06
  be
• 3:06
  part
• 3:07
  of
• 3:07
  this
• 3:07
  team.
• 3:07
  That's
• 3:07
  awesome.
• 3:08
  Well,
• 3:08
  you've
• 3:09
  held
• 3:09
  quite
• 3:09
  a
• 3:09
  few
• 3:10
  roles.
• 3:10
  You
• 3:10
  mentioned
• 3:11
  that
• 3:11
  discontent.
• 3:12
  That's
• 3:12
  what
• 3:12
  kind
• 3:13
  of
• 3:13
  drives
• 3:13
  you
• 3:13
  to
• 3:14
  make
• 3:14
  change
• 3:15
  and
• 3:16
  to
• 3:16
  continue
• 3:17
  to
• 3:17
  be
• 3:18
  driven
• 3:18
  by
• 3:18
  the
• 3:18
  work
• 3:18
  that
• 3:19
  you're
• 3:19
  doing.
• 3:20
  What
• 3:20
  would
• 3:20
  you
• 3:20
  say
• 3:20
  are
• 3:21
  some
• 3:21
  of
• 3:21
  the
• 3:21
  things
• 3:21
  that
• 3:22
  you've
• 3:23
  learned
• 3:23
  that
• 3:24
  have
• 3:24
  really
• 3:24
  helped
• 3:25
  you
• 3:26
  as
• 3:26
  you
• 3:26
  kind
• 3:26
  of
• 3:27
  have
• 3:27
  moved
• 3:27
  through
• 3:27
  each
• 3:28
  of
• 3:28
  these
• 3:28
  positions
• 3:28
  across
• 3:29
  a
• 3:29
  really
• 3:30
  large
• 3:31
  variety
• 3:31
  of
• 3:31
  retailers,
• 3:32
  from
• 3:32
  Target
• 3:32
  to
• 3:33
  Whole
• 3:33
  Foods
• 3:33
  and
• 3:34
  Amazon
• 3:34
  and
• 3:34
  now
• 3:34
  to
• 3:35
  the
• 3:35
  Fresh
• 3:35
  Market?
• 3:35
  Yeah,
• 3:36
  at
• 3:36
  Target,
• 3:37
  I
• 3:37
  would
• 3:37
  say
• 3:37
  I
• 3:37
  learned
• 3:38
  a
• 3:38
  lot
• 3:38
  about
• 3:38
  the
• 3:38
  foundational
• 3:39
  disciplines
• 3:40
  of
• 3:40
  merchandising.
• 3:41
  Again,
• 3:41
  getting
• 3:41
  to
• 3:42
  see
• 3:42
  the
• 3:42
  business
• 3:42
  from
• 3:43
  a
• 3:43
  lot
• 3:43
  of
• 3:43
  different
• 3:43
  angles
• 3:44
  and
• 3:44
  recognizing
• 3:44
  how
• 3:45
  important
• 3:45
  each
• 3:45
  of
• 3:45
  those
• 3:46
  disciplines
• 3:46
  are
• 3:46
  in
• 3:47
  creating
• 3:47
  an
• 3:47
  incredible
• 3:48
  guest
• 3:48
  experience.
• 3:50
  I
• 3:50
  also
• 3:50
  learned
• 3:50
  a
• 3:50
  lot
• 3:51
  about
• 3:51
  the
• 3:52
  sense
• 3:52
  of
• 3:52
  ownership
• 3:53
  and
• 3:53
  satisfaction
• 3:54
  that
• 3:54
  comes
• 3:54
  from
• 3:54
  running
• 3:54
  a
• 3:55
  business,
• 3:56
  owning
• 3:56
  a
• 3:56
  P
• 3:56
  and
• 3:56
  L.
• 3:57
  And
• 3:57
  then
• 3:57
  Target
• 3:58
  really
• 3:58
  taught
• 3:58
  me
• 3:58
  about
• 3:59
  collaboration.
• 4:00
  It
• 4:00
  was
• 4:00
  where
• 4:00
  I
• 4:01
  learned
• 4:01
  that
• 4:01
  I
• 4:01
  love
• 4:01
  to
• 4:02
  be
• 4:02
  a
• 4:02
  merchant,
• 4:02
  that
• 4:02
  balance
• 4:03
  of
• 4:03
  art
• 4:03
  and
• 4:03
  science.
• 4:04
  And
• 4:04
  I
• 4:05
  love
• 4:05
  to
• 4:05
  work
• 4:05
  with
• 4:05
  other
• 4:06
  people,
• 4:06
  suppliers
• 4:07
  in
• 4:07
  particular,
• 4:08
  to
• 4:08
  be
• 4:08
  able
• 4:08
  to
• 4:08
  bring
• 4:09
  that
• 4:09
  vision
• 4:09
  to
• 4:09
  life.
• 4:10
  So
• 4:10
  Target
• 4:10
  for
• 4:11
  me
• 4:11
  was
• 4:11
  really
• 4:11
  laying
• 4:12
  the
• 4:12
  foundation.
• 4:12
  Okay.
• 4:13
  Whole
• 4:14
  Foods
• 4:14
  was
• 4:14
  where.
• 4:14
  I
• 4:15
  can't
• 4:15
  wait
• 4:15
  for
• 4:15
  this.
• 4:16
  I
• 4:16
  can't
• 4:16
  wait
• 4:16
  for
• 4:16
  this.
• 4:17
  Whole
• 4:17
  Foods
• 4:17
  was
• 4:17
  where
• 4:17
  I
• 4:18
  learned
• 4:18
  about
• 4:18
  purpose.
• 4:19
  Okay.
• 4:19
  I
• 4:20
  mean,
• 4:20
  Whole
• 4:20
  Foods
• 4:20
  purpose
• 4:21
  is
• 4:21
  to
• 4:21
  nourish
• 4:21
  people
• 4:22
  and
• 4:22
  the
• 4:22
  planet.
• 4:23
  During
• 4:23
  my
• 4:23
  time
• 4:24
  at
• 4:24
  Whole
• 4:24
  Foods,
• 4:24
  I
• 4:24
  also
• 4:25
  really
• 4:25
  came
• 4:25
  to
• 4:25
  understand
• 4:26
  my
• 4:27
  purpose,
• 4:27
  like,
• 4:27
  fundamentally
• 4:28
  what
• 4:28
  I
• 4:28
  think
• 4:28
  I
• 4:28
  was
• 4:29
  put
• 4:29
  on
• 4:29
  this
• 4:29
  earth
• 4:30
  to
• 4:30
  be.
• 4:30
  Oh,
• 4:30
  my
• 4:30
  God.
• 4:30
  What
• 4:31
  is
• 4:31
  it?
• 4:31
  It's
• 4:32
  to
• 4:32
  serve
• 4:32
  as
• 4:32
  a
• 4:32
  catalyst
• 4:33
  to
• 4:33
  unlock
• 4:33
  collective
• 4:34
  potential.
• 4:35
  Because
• 4:35
  part
• 4:36
  of
• 4:36
  what
• 4:36
  I
• 4:36
  learned
• 4:36
  at
• 4:36
  Whole
• 4:36
  Foods
• 4:37
  is
• 4:37
  about
• 4:37
  the
• 4:37
  food
• 4:38
  System
• 4:39
  and
• 4:39
  the
• 4:39
  impact
• 4:40
  that
• 4:40
  an
• 4:40
  individual
• 4:40
  person
• 4:41
  or
• 4:41
  retailer
• 4:42
  can
• 4:42
  have
• 4:42
  on
• 4:42
  shaping
• 4:43
  the
• 4:43
  future
• 4:43
  of
• 4:43
  food.
• 4:44
  Food.
• 4:44
  And
• 4:45
  why
• 4:45
  merchandising
• 4:46
  and
• 4:47
  working
• 4:47
  all
• 4:47
  the
• 4:47
  way
• 4:48
  through
• 4:48
  the
• 4:48
  supply
• 4:48
  chain
• 4:49
  back
• 4:49
  to
• 4:49
  the
• 4:49
  farmers
• 4:50
  is
• 4:50
  so
• 4:51
  important.
• 4:51
  Yeah.
• 4:52
  And
• 4:52
  then
• 4:52
  Whole
• 4:53
  Foods
• 4:53
  also
• 4:53
  taught
• 4:53
  me
• 4:53
  a
• 4:53
  lot
• 4:54
  about
• 4:54
  the
• 4:54
  stakeholder
• 4:54
  model.
• 4:55
  I
• 4:55
  mean,
• 4:55
  really
• 4:56
  thinking
• 4:56
  holistically.
• 4:57
  Conscious
• 4:58
  capitalism
• 4:58
  is
• 4:59
  a
• 5:00
  thing
• 5:00
  that's
• 5:00
  alive
• 5:01
  at
• 5:01
  Whole
• 5:01
  Foods.
• 5:02
  And
• 5:02
  the
• 5:02
  stakeholder
• 5:03
  model,
• 5:03
  thinking
• 5:04
  holistically
• 5:04
  from
• 5:05
  customers
• 5:05
  to
• 5:06
  team
• 5:06
  members
• 5:07
  to
• 5:07
  suppliers
• 5:08
  to
• 5:08
  shareholders,
• 5:09
  and
• 5:09
  how
• 5:09
  ultimately
• 5:10
  you
• 5:10
  have
• 5:10
  to
• 5:11
  create
• 5:11
  wins
• 5:11
  across
• 5:12
  all
• 5:12
  of
• 5:12
  those
• 5:12
  stakeholders
• 5:13
  in
• 5:13
  order
• 5:14
  to
• 5:14
  have
• 5:14
  a
• 5:14
  sustainable
• 5:15
  business
• 5:15
  and
• 5:16
  a
• 5:16
  purposeful
• 5:16
  business
• 5:17
  over
• 5:17
  time.
• 5:18
  So
• 5:18
  how
• 5:18
  are
• 5:18
  you
• 5:18
  carrying
• 5:19
  that
• 5:19
  purpose
• 5:19
  through
• 5:19
  now
• 5:20
  at
• 5:20
  Fresh
• 5:20
  Market?
• 5:21
  Yeah,
• 5:21
  I
• 5:21
  mean,
• 5:22
  it's
• 5:22
  been
• 5:22
  so
• 5:23
  fun
• 5:23
  to
• 5:23
  join
• 5:24
  the
• 5:24
  Fresh
• 5:24
  Market.
• 5:24
  Yeah,
• 5:25
  it's
• 5:25
  a
• 5:25
  beautiful
• 5:26
  brand,
• 5:26
  a
• 5:27
  rich
• 5:27
  legacy.
• 5:27
  We
• 5:28
  were
• 5:28
  founded
• 5:28
  in
• 5:28
  1982
• 5:30
  to
• 5:30
  be
• 5:30
  a
• 5:31
  specialty
• 5:31
  retailer.
• 5:32
  And
• 5:33
  so
• 5:33
  when
• 5:33
  I
• 5:33
  think
• 5:33
  about
• 5:33
  the
• 5:33
  purpose
• 5:34
  and
• 5:34
  how
• 5:34
  that
• 5:34
  comes
• 5:34
  to
• 5:35
  life
• 5:35
  for
• 5:35
  us
• 5:35
  at
• 5:35
  the
• 5:35
  Fresh
• 5:36
  Market,
• 5:36
  it's
• 5:36
  about
• 5:37
  the
• 5:37
  highest
• 5:37
  quality.
• 5:38
  It's
• 5:38
  about
• 5:38
  freshness.
• 5:40
  It's
• 5:40
  about
• 5:40
  taste
• 5:41
  and
• 5:42
  hospitality.
• 5:43
  And,
• 5:43
  you
• 5:43
  know,
• 5:43
  one
• 5:44
  of
• 5:44
  the
• 5:44
  things
• 5:44
  I've
• 5:44
  really
• 5:44
  been
• 5:45
  reminded
• 5:45
  of
• 5:45
  already
• 5:46
  and
• 5:46
  being
• 5:46
  at
• 5:46
  the
• 5:46
  Fresh
• 5:47
  Market
• 5:47
  is
• 5:48
  how
• 5:48
  fundamentally
• 5:49
  human
• 5:49
  food
• 5:50
  is
• 5:50
  like,
• 5:51
  it's
• 5:51
  the
• 5:51
  ultimate
• 5:51
  connector.
• 5:52
  Talking
• 5:52
  about
• 5:53
  that
• 5:53
  yesterday.
• 5:53
  Yep.
• 5:53
  Yeah.
• 5:53
  The
• 5:53
  ultimate
• 5:54
  connector.
• 5:54
  It's
• 5:55
  you
• 5:55
  bring
• 5:55
  people
• 5:55
  around
• 5:56
  your
• 5:56
  table.
• 5:56
  It's
• 5:57
  how
• 5:57
  you
• 5:57
  demonstrate
• 5:58
  love.
• 5:58
  It
• 5:58
  connects
• 5:59
  us
• 5:59
  all
• 5:59
  the
• 5:59
  way
• 5:59
  back
• 5:59
  to
• 6:00
  the
• 6:00
  farms
• 6:00
  and
• 6:00
  the
• 6:00
  farmers
• 6:01
  on
• 6:01
  the
• 6:02
  front
• 6:02
  end
• 6:02
  of
• 6:02
  the
• 6:02
  supply
• 6:03
  chain.
• 6:03
  And
• 6:04
  I
• 6:04
  think
• 6:04
  it
• 6:04
  is
• 6:05
  the
• 6:05
  business
• 6:05
  that
• 6:06
  has
• 6:06
  the
• 6:06
  biggest
• 6:06
  opportunity
• 6:07
  to
• 6:07
  have
• 6:07
  a
• 6:07
  positive
• 6:08
  impact.
• 6:09
  So
• 6:09
  coming
• 6:09
  to
• 6:09
  the
• 6:09
  Fresh
• 6:09
  Market
• 6:10
  has
• 6:10
  been
• 6:10
  a
• 6:10
  really
• 6:10
  good
• 6:11
  opportunity
• 6:11
  for
• 6:11
  me
• 6:11
  to
• 6:12
  feel
• 6:12
  that
• 6:12
  purpose
• 6:13
  in
• 6:13
  a
• 6:13
  new
• 6:13
  way.
• 6:13
  Is
• 6:14
  that
• 6:14
  what
• 6:14
  intrigued
• 6:14
  you,
• 6:14
  to
• 6:15
  take
• 6:15
  the
• 6:15
  role?
• 6:16
  Yeah,
• 6:16
  yeah,
• 6:17
  yeah.
• 6:17
  Honestly,
• 6:18
  again,
• 6:18
  because
• 6:18
  it's
• 6:19
  such
• 6:19
  a
• 6:19
  beautiful
• 6:20
  brand.
• 6:20
  The
• 6:20
  number
• 6:21
  of
• 6:21
  people
• 6:21
  who
• 6:21
  have
• 6:22
  said
• 6:22
  to
• 6:22
  me,
• 6:22
  I
• 6:22
  love
• 6:22
  the
• 6:23
  Fresh
• 6:23
  Market.
• 6:23
  Really?
• 6:24
  Oh,
• 6:24
  that's
• 6:24
  always
• 6:24
  a
• 6:24
  good
• 6:25
  sign.
• 6:25
  There's
• 6:25
  so
• 6:25
  many
• 6:25
  people
• 6:26
  that
• 6:26
  just
• 6:26
  have
• 6:26
  really
• 6:26
  loved
• 6:27
  our
• 6:28
  experience,
• 6:28
  and
• 6:29
  our
• 6:29
  experience
• 6:29
  in
• 6:29
  stores
• 6:30
  is
• 6:30
  something
• 6:30
  really
• 6:30
  unique
• 6:31
  and
• 6:31
  special.
• 6:32
  And
• 6:32
  then
• 6:32
  the
• 6:32
  product
• 6:33
  and
• 6:33
  also
• 6:33
  the
• 6:34
  people.
• 6:34
  I
• 6:34
  mean,
• 6:34
  the
• 6:34
  people
• 6:35
  have
• 6:35
  been,
• 6:35
  like,
• 6:36
  so
• 6:36
  warm,
• 6:37
  are
• 6:37
  so
• 6:37
  passionate.
• 6:38
  Teamwork
• 6:39
  is
• 6:39
  really
• 6:39
  a
• 6:39
  core
• 6:40
  value
• 6:40
  for
• 6:40
  us.
• 6:40
  That's
• 6:41
  what
• 6:41
  you
• 6:41
  want
• 6:41
  to
• 6:41
  see
• 6:41
  in
• 6:41
  the
• 6:41
  first
• 6:42
  few
• 6:42
  months,
• 6:42
  for
• 6:43
  sure.
• 6:43
  Yeah.
• 6:43
  And
• 6:43
  then,
• 6:44
  honestly,
• 6:44
  the
• 6:44
  opportunity
• 6:45
  to
• 6:45
  have
• 6:45
  an
• 6:45
  expansive
• 6:46
  impact.
• 6:46
  Right.
• 6:47
  To
• 6:47
  be
• 6:47
  able
• 6:48
  to
• 6:48
  have
• 6:48
  a
• 6:48
  larger
• 6:48
  scope
• 6:49
  and
• 6:49
  a
• 6:49
  larger
• 6:49
  impact
• 6:50
  is
• 6:50
  another
• 6:50
  thing
• 6:50
  that
• 6:50
  really
• 6:51
  intrigued
• 6:51
  me.
• 6:51
  Brilliant.
• 6:52
  Yeah.
• 6:54
  Okay,
• 6:54
  so
• 6:55
  you've
• 6:55
  been
• 6:55
  in
• 6:55
  role
• 6:56
  for
• 6:57
  just
• 6:57
  a
• 6:57
  few
• 6:57
  months
• 6:57
  here.
• 6:58
  Yeah.
• 6:59
  Anything
• 6:59
  you
• 6:59
  can
• 7:00
  share
• 7:00
  with
• 7:00
  how
• 7:00
  you
• 7:01
  approach
• 7:01
  the
• 7:01
  first
• 7:02
  90
• 7:02
  days?
• 7:03
  Yes.
• 7:03
  I
• 7:04
  mean,
• 7:04
  it's
• 7:04
  been
• 7:04
  a
• 7:04
  really
• 7:04
  interesting
• 7:05
  Time,
• 7:05
  because
• 7:05
  I
• 7:06
  joined
• 7:06
  the
• 7:06
  fresh
• 7:06
  market
• 7:06
  in
• 7:07
  the
• 7:07
  middle
• 7:07
  of
• 7:07
  November,
• 7:08
  going
• 7:08
  right
• 7:09
  into
• 7:09
  Thanksgiving
• 7:09
  and
• 7:10
  holiday
• 7:10
  season,
• 7:11
  which
• 7:11
  is
• 7:11
  a
• 7:11
  crazy
• 7:12
  time
• 7:12
  to
• 7:12
  join.
• 7:15
  I
• 7:15
  mean,
• 7:15
  it
• 7:15
  was
• 7:16
  a
• 7:16
  great
• 7:16
  time
• 7:16
  to
• 7:16
  learn,
• 7:17
  but
• 7:17
  I
• 7:17
  spent
• 7:18
  the
• 7:18
  first,
• 7:18
  like,
• 7:19
  30,
• 7:19
  even
• 7:19
  60
• 7:20
  days,
• 7:20
  like,
• 7:20
  really
• 7:21
  getting
• 7:21
  to
• 7:21
  know
• 7:21
  the
• 7:21
  people.
• 7:22
  That's
• 7:22
  a
• 7:22
  good.
• 7:22
  Getting
• 7:22
  to
• 7:23
  know
• 7:23
  the
• 7:23
  business,
• 7:23
  getting
• 7:24
  in
• 7:24
  our
• 7:24
  store
• 7:25
  strategy.
• 7:26
  Usually
• 7:26
  you
• 7:26
  have
• 7:26
  to
• 7:26
  learn.
• 7:27
  Right.
• 7:28
  And
• 7:28
  spending
• 7:28
  a
• 7:28
  lot
• 7:29
  of
• 7:29
  time
• 7:29
  in
• 7:29
  stores
• 7:29
  to
• 7:30
  really
• 7:30
  see
• 7:30
  us
• 7:31
  when
• 7:31
  we
• 7:31
  do
• 7:32
  best
• 7:32
  at
• 7:32
  the
• 7:32
  seasons,
• 7:33
  at
• 7:33
  those
• 7:33
  special
• 7:33
  occasions.
• 7:35
  So
• 7:35
  the
• 7:35
  first
• 7:35
  couple
• 7:36
  months
• 7:36
  for
• 7:36
  me
• 7:36
  has
• 7:36
  been
• 7:37
  all
• 7:37
  about
• 7:37
  learning,
• 7:39
  and
• 7:39
  now
• 7:39
  I'm
• 7:39
  moving
• 7:40
  into
• 7:40
  a
• 7:40
  phase
• 7:40
  that's
• 7:40
  more
• 7:40
  about
• 7:41
  shaping.
• 7:41
  Like,
• 7:42
  really
• 7:43
  starting
• 7:43
  to
• 7:43
  craft
• 7:44
  our
• 7:44
  merchandising
• 7:45
  strategy,
• 7:46
  which
• 7:46
  I
• 7:46
  anticipate
• 7:47
  is
• 7:47
  going
• 7:47
  to
• 7:47
  have
• 7:47
  us
• 7:48
  leaning
• 7:48
  further
• 7:48
  into
• 7:48
  what
• 7:49
  makes
• 7:49
  us
• 7:49
  unique
• 7:50
  and
• 7:50
  special.
• 7:51
  I
• 7:51
  mean,
• 7:51
  again,
• 7:51
  that
• 7:52
  differentiation,
• 7:53
  the
• 7:53
  highest
• 7:53
  quality,
• 7:54
  the
• 7:54
  freshness,
• 7:55
  the
• 7:55
  expertise
• 7:56
  we
• 7:56
  have
• 7:56
  in
• 7:56
  stores.
• 7:57
  So
• 7:57
  I'm
• 7:57
  really
• 7:58
  excited,
• 7:58
  as
• 7:58
  we
• 7:58
  look
• 7:59
  into
• 7:59
  2026,
• 8:00
  to
• 8:00
  bring
• 8:01
  that
• 8:01
  to
• 8:01
  life
• 8:01
  in
• 8:01
  a
• 8:01
  bigger
• 8:02
  way
• 8:02
  and
• 8:02
  help
• 8:02
  unlock
• 8:03
  the
• 8:03
  potential
• 8:03
  that
• 8:04
  exists.
• 8:04
  Got
• 8:04
  it.
• 8:05
  So
• 8:05
  this
• 8:05
  is
• 8:05
  so
• 8:05
  interesting.
• 8:06
  Me,
• 8:06
  too,
• 8:06
  because
• 8:06
  I
• 8:06
  think
• 8:06
  you're
• 8:07
  probably
• 8:07
  a
• 8:07
  needle
• 8:07
  in
• 8:07
  the
• 8:08
  stack
• 8:08
  of
• 8:08
  needles
• 8:08
  in
• 8:08
  terms
• 8:09
  of
• 8:09
  people
• 8:09
  we've
• 8:09
  interviewed.
• 8:10
  In
• 8:10
  terms
• 8:10
  of
• 8:10
  you've
• 8:10
  actually
• 8:11
  worked
• 8:11
  in
• 8:11
  a
• 8:11
  call
• 8:11
  center.
• 8:12
  You're
• 8:12
  a
• 8:12
  merchandising
• 8:13
  executive
• 8:13
  that's
• 8:14
  actually
• 8:14
  worked
• 8:14
  at
• 8:14
  a
• 8:14
  call
• 8:15
  center.
• 8:15
  I
• 8:15
  bet
• 8:15
  there's
• 8:15
  not
• 8:16
  that
• 8:16
  many
• 8:16
  people
• 8:16
  that
• 8:16
  can
• 8:17
  say
• 8:17
  that.
• 8:17
  So.
• 8:17
  So
• 8:17
  I
• 8:18
  want
• 8:18
  to
• 8:18
  dig
• 8:18
  in
• 8:18
  a
• 8:18
  little
• 8:18
  bit
• 8:18
  deeper,
• 8:19
  though.
• 8:19
  I
• 8:19
  want
• 8:19
  to
• 8:19
  put
• 8:19
  you
• 8:19
  a
• 8:19
  little
• 8:20
  bit
• 8:20
  on
• 8:20
  the
• 8:20
  spot
• 8:20
  here.
• 8:20
  So,
• 8:21
  you
• 8:21
  know,
• 8:22
  you
• 8:22
  talked
• 8:22
  about
• 8:22
  2026
• 8:23
  and
• 8:23
  how
• 8:23
  you're
• 8:23
  thinking
• 8:24
  about
• 8:24
  your
• 8:24
  parties
• 8:24
  from
• 8:24
  a
• 8:24
  high
• 8:25
  level.
• 8:25
  Is
• 8:25
  there
• 8:25
  anything
• 8:25
  you
• 8:25
  can
• 8:26
  tease
• 8:26
  for
• 8:26
  us
• 8:26
  in
• 8:26
  terms
• 8:27
  of
• 8:27
  your
• 8:27
  assessment
• 8:28
  now
• 8:28
  in
• 8:28
  terms
• 8:28
  of
• 8:28
  where
• 8:29
  you
• 8:29
  want
• 8:29
  to
• 8:29
  take
• 8:29
  the
• 8:29
  business?
• 8:30
  Yeah.
• 8:30
  I
• 8:31
  mean,
• 8:31
  it's
• 8:31
  still
• 8:31
  early
• 8:32
  days,
• 8:33
  but
• 8:33
  I
• 8:33
  would
• 8:33
  say
• 8:34
  that
• 8:34
  the
• 8:35
  expectations
• 8:35
  that
• 8:35
  I
• 8:36
  had
• 8:36
  coming
• 8:36
  in
• 8:36
  have
• 8:37
  absolutely
• 8:37
  held
• 8:38
  true.
• 8:39
  It
• 8:39
  is
• 8:40
  a
• 8:40
  beautiful
• 8:41
  brand.
• 8:41
  There
• 8:42
  is
• 8:42
  so
• 8:42
  much
• 8:42
  brand
• 8:43
  love.
• 8:44
  There
• 8:44
  is
• 8:44
  an
• 8:44
  incredible
• 8:45
  team.
• 8:46
  There
• 8:46
  is
• 8:46
  supplier
• 8:46
  engagement.
• 8:47
  There
• 8:48
  is
• 8:48
  so
• 8:48
  much
• 8:49
  potential.
• 8:50
  So
• 8:50
  everything
• 8:51
  that
• 8:51
  I
• 8:51
  kind
• 8:51
  of
• 8:52
  expected
• 8:52
  and
• 8:52
  hoped
• 8:53
  to
• 8:53
  be
• 8:53
  true
• 8:53
  from
• 8:53
  the
• 8:54
  outside
• 8:54
  looking
• 8:54
  in
• 8:54
  has
• 8:55
  certainly
• 8:55
  proven
• 8:55
  to
• 8:56
  be
• 8:56
  true
• 8:56
  and
• 8:56
  then
• 8:57
  some.
• 8:57
  And
• 8:58
  as
• 8:58
  I
• 8:58
  look
• 8:58
  ahead,
• 8:59
  I
• 8:59
  just
• 8:59
  think
• 8:59
  there
• 8:59
  is
• 8:59
  room
• 9:00
  to
• 9:00
  celebrate
• 9:00
  that
• 9:01
  bigger
• 9:01
  way.
• 9:01
  Unlock
• 9:02
  it.
• 9:02
  Yeah.
• 9:02
  We're
• 9:02
  really
• 9:03
  known
• 9:03
  for
• 9:04
  discovery
• 9:05
  and
• 9:05
  helping
• 9:05
  our
• 9:06
  guests
• 9:06
  discover
• 9:07
  whether
• 9:07
  it's,
• 9:07
  like,
• 9:08
  the
• 9:08
  best
• 9:08
  quality
• 9:08
  or
• 9:09
  the
• 9:09
  own
• 9:09
  brands
• 9:10
  we're
• 9:10
  so
• 9:10
  excited
• 9:10
  about
• 9:11
  or
• 9:11
  new
• 9:11
  innovation.
• 9:12
  We're
• 9:12
  also
• 9:13
  great
• 9:13
  at
• 9:13
  seasons.
• 9:14
  We're
• 9:14
  great
• 9:14
  at
• 9:14
  gifting.
• 9:15
  We're
• 9:15
  great
• 9:15
  at
• 9:15
  meat
• 9:15
  and
• 9:16
  seafood.
• 9:16
  Yeah.
• 9:16
  So,
• 9:17
  to
• 9:17
  me,
• 9:17
  there
• 9:17
  is
• 9:18
  something
• 9:18
  I
• 9:18
  think
• 9:19
  really
• 9:19
  special
• 9:19
  about
• 9:19
  being
• 9:20
  able
• 9:20
  to
• 9:20
  unlock
• 9:20
  that
• 9:20
  and
• 9:21
  celebrate
• 9:21
  that
• 9:22
  in
• 9:22
  a
• 9:22
  bigger
• 9:22
  way
• 9:23
  that
• 9:23
  I
• 9:23
  think
• 9:23
  will
• 9:24
  become
• 9:24
  a
• 9:24
  bigger
• 9:25
  part
• 9:25
  of
• 9:25
  our
• 9:25
  strategy.
• 9:26
  And
• 9:26
  then
• 9:26
  accessibility.
• 9:27
  I
• 9:27
  want
• 9:28
  to
• 9:28
  make
• 9:28
  sure
• 9:28
  that
• 9:28
  more
• 9:29
  people
• 9:29
  have.
• 9:31
  Have
• 9:31
  room
• 9:31
  to
• 9:31
  be
• 9:32
  able
• 9:32
  to
• 9:32
  shop
• 9:32
  great
• 9:32
  quality
• 9:33
  food,
• 9:33
  so
• 9:34
  making
• 9:34
  sure
• 9:34
  that
• 9:34
  we're
• 9:35
  serving
• 9:35
  as
• 9:35
  many
• 9:36
  guests
• 9:36
  as
• 9:36
  we
• 9:36
  possibly
• 9:37
  can
• 9:37
  through
• 9:37
  greater
• 9:37
  accessibility.
• 9:38
  Well,
• 9:38
  I
• 9:38
  know
• 9:39
  Ann
• 9:39
  and
• 9:39
  I
• 9:39
  will
• 9:39
  be
• 9:39
  watching
• 9:40
  your
• 9:40
  success
• 9:41
  very
• 9:41
  closely
• 9:41
  and
• 9:42
  hope
• 9:42
  that
• 9:42
  we
• 9:42
  get
• 9:42
  a
• 9:42
  chance
• 9:43
  to
• 9:43
  talk
• 9:43
  to
• 9:43
  you
• 9:43
  again
• 9:43
  at
• 9:43
  a
• 9:44
  conference
• 9:44
  in
• 9:44
  the
• 9:44
  future
• 9:44
  as
• 9:45
  well.
• 9:45
  Let's
• 9:45
  do
• 9:45
  it.
• 9:46
  Well,
• 9:46
  Alyssa,
• 9:46
  thank
• 9:47
  you
• 9:47
  so
• 9:47
  much
• 9:47
  for
• 9:48
  giving
• 9:48
  us
• 9:48
  your
• 9:49
  time.
• 9:50
  And
• 9:50
  thank
• 9:51
  you
• 9:51
  for
• 9:51
  really
• 9:52
  investing
• 9:53
  in
• 9:53
  this
• 9:53
  career
• 9:53
  and
• 9:54
  finding
• 9:54
  your
• 9:54
  purpose
• 9:55
  and
• 9:55
  figuring
• 9:55
  out
• 9:55
  how
• 9:55
  that's
• 9:56
  going
• 9:56
  to
• 9:56
  continue
• 9:56
  to
• 9:56
  drive
• 9:57
  your
• 9:58
  success
• 9:58
  in
• 9:58
  your
• 9:58
  career,
• 9:59
  the
• 9:59
  fresh
• 9:59
  market
• 9:59
  success,
• 10:00
  but
• 10:00
  then
• 10:00
  also
• 10:01
  the
• 10:01
  impact
• 10:01
  that
• 10:01
  you
• 10:02
  and
• 10:02
  your
• 10:02
  team
• 10:02
  are
• 10:02
  going
• 10:02
  to
• 10:03
  have
• 10:03
  on
• 10:03
  Feeding
• 10:04
  America.
• 10:05
  It's
• 10:05
  really
• 10:05
  touching
• 10:06
  for
• 10:06
  you
• 10:06
  to
• 10:06
  have
• 10:07
  shared
• 10:07
  that
• 10:07
  with
• 10:07
  us.
• 10:08
  So
• 10:08
  thank
• 10:08
  you
• 10:08
  to
• 10:09
  Alyssa,
• 10:09
  thank
• 10:09
  you
• 10:10
  to
• 10:10
  Simbi
• 10:10
  for
• 10:10
  helping
• 10:11
  us
• 10:11
  bring
• 10:11
  you
• 10:11
  all
• 10:11
  of
• 10:12
  our
• 10:12
  coverage
• 10:12
  here
• 10:12
  at
• 10:13
  fmi.
• 10:13
  And
• 10:14
  until
• 10:14
  the
• 10:14
  next
• 10:14
  interview,
• 10:15
  be
• 10:15
  careful
• 10:16
  out
• 10:16
  there.