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This Episode, we speak with Michele Simon. Michele Simon is a public health attorney, food policy expert, author, and thought leader in the plant-based foods industry. In 2016, she founded the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), the nation’s only membership association promoting the interests of plant-based food companies. For five years as PBFA’s executive director, Simon grew the association to over 300 members, leading a team of policy and retail experts.
Through her strategic efforts, PBFA fought off the powerful meat and dairy lobbies, and forged new marketplace opportunities for the plant-based foods industry. Simon has written extensively on the politics of food and alcohol. Her first book, Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back, was published by Nation Books in 2006. NYU Professor Marion Nestle (who calls the book “brilliant”) made it required reading for her nutrition students.
Simon has a master’s degree in public health from Yale University and received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Every week will tackle the consumer packaged goods industry from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You’re gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it’s gonna make some people a little mad. It’s not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us as being jerks. After all, “Jeremy” and “Kirk”, does equal “Jirk”.
And with that, welcome to Jirk’s Podcast.
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About Jeremy and Kirk.
Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.
Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.
