ReConnected
Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast—a home for sharing, understanding and growth for the retail grocery store industry. During each episode, we will meet an amazing member of our community as we learn about their story and jointly explore the intricacies and challenges of our supply chain. Through it all, we'll remember and honor that everything starts with the real people who spend so much of their lives supporting the retail food supply chain. We will bring together the voices of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers as we journey together to help our industry reconnect.
We're excited to have you join us.
ReConnected
Episode 25 - Reconnected with Alyssa Vescio
In this episode of The Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott sits down with Alyssa Vescio, SVP of Merchandising, Sourcing and Product Development, at Whole Foods Market, for a deeply human and inspiring conversation. Alyssa shares her remarkable journey from working in stores at age 16 to leading merchandising across grocery, wellness, beauty, and more at the nation’s top natural retailer. She opens up about personal growth, embracing discomfort, and the power of unlocking collective potential.
Listeners will gain behind-the-scenes insight into how Whole Foods curates its shelves, balances local flavor with national scale, and actively partners with emerging brands. Alyssa shares candid advice for founders hoping to stand out, explains how Whole Foods anticipates trends before they hit, and highlights the transformative impact of their foundation’s global initiatives. Whether you're building a brand, navigating your career, or simply curious about the future of food, this episode offers actionable takeaways and authentic inspiration.