Welcome back to Farm to Fork the Innovators! Today we dive deep into a hot-button topic impacting our food supply chain: tariffs. Joining me is Tom Healy, a seasoned international sourcing executive with extensive leadership experience at renowned brands like Dairy Queen, Heinz, and Jack Link’s. Tom brings a wealth of expertise, having managed sourcing strategies across 26 countries during pivotal trade disruptions.

In this conversation, Tom sheds light on how major U.S. brands adapted their sourcing strategies during the first wave of Trump tariffs, emphasizing the importance of local sourcing within countries to mitigate geopolitical risks. He clarifies common misconceptions surrounding current tariffs, particularly highlighting exemptions within the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We explore practical best practices for international sourcing during trade wars, and Tom identifies commodities likely to face challenges. It's an enlightening discussion filled with actionable insights to help your business navigate uncertain tariff environments effectively.

Connect with me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/
https://datumfs.com/

Connect with Tom Healy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-healey-0101a89/

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 | Preview
01:49 | Meet Tom Healy: Extensive Background from Farm to Table
02:57 | Overview of International Sourcing and its Complexities
05:44 | Tariff Challenges: Tom’s Experience at Dairy Queen During Trump’s First Tariffs
07:36 | Shifting Sourcing to Mainland China: Strategy and Results
10:07 | What's Different About the New Round of Trump Tariffs?
13:21 | Key USMCA Exemptions Explained (Produce, Cattle)
15:31 | Spotlight on Beef Imports: Why Lean Beef Trim Matters
20:22 | How Countries Work Around Tariffs: Examples from Asia and Latin America
22:04 | Other At-Risk Commodities: Dairy Imports Highlighted
23:35 | Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs on Major Export Commodities
26:06 | Tom’s Actionable Tips for Businesses Facing Tariff Uncertainty
28:24 | Consumer Impact: Guidance for Restaurants and Foodservice Brands
30:10 | Conclusion & Final Thoughts from Tom Healy
30:45 | Outro and Invitation to Engage with Farm to Fork the Innovators

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