Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni
Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators, the podcast where decades of industry expertise meet the future of the food supply chain. I'm David Maloni, your host, and with over 40 years in the food production, distribution, and operations sectors, I've seen the industry evolve. But now, it's time to push the boundaries of innovation further.
Every other week, join me as I sit down with pioneers from the past, the game-changers of today, and the visionaries shaping the future of our field. Together, we'll explore new ideas, technologies, and strategies that can revolutionize how we farm, produce, move, and serve food to the world.
I invite you, our listeners, to be a part of this journey. If you know someone or have a topic in mind that aligns with our mission, please reach out. Your input matters, and it could be the spark that ignites the next big breakthrough in the food supply chain.
For more insights and to connect with my consultancy, visit www.DatumFS.com. Thank you for tuning in. Together, let's drive innovation and transform the way we nourish our communities
Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni
Feeding Millions on the Move: Arah Tan Talks Supply Chain, Inflation, and Innovation
Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators. Today’s guest is Arah Tan, the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics at OTG Management—a leading foodservice company operating in high-traffic venues like LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports.
In this episode, we dig into the unique challenges of airport food operations. Arah shares how OTG navigates complex logistics, vendor contracts, and the unpredictable nature of disruptions—from hurricanes to global pandemics. She brings a unique lens as someone who started in restaurant operations and climbed into supply chain leadership, making this conversation especially insightful for those curious about the intersection of hospitality, logistics, and innovation in constrained environments.
Host and Guest Social Media Links:
David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/
Arah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arahtan/
Timestamps
- 00:00:00
00:01:17 – David introduces the podcast and Arah’s role at OTG - 00:02:09 – Overview of OTG’s operations and Arah’s responsibilities
- 00:04:13 – How OTG operates both national and proprietary food brands in airports
- 00:07:14 – Security and logistical barriers to airport food supply
- 00:09:09 – Arah’s career journey and how she got into supply chain
- 00:13:05 – The COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in supply chain strategy
- 00:16:20 – Complexity of managing supplier relationships across locations
- 00:20:07 – Leveraging vendor flexibility while meeting brand requirements
- 00:22:07 – Impact of airport type and seasonality on supply chain demands
- 00:25:21 – Economic conditions and their effect on travel and food sales
- 00:27:08 – Preparing for disruptions and maintaining resiliency
- 00:30:13 – Operations experience informs better supply chain decisions
- 00:33:01 – Importance of food safety and proper packaging in airport delivery
- 00:34:09 – Arah’s vision for technology and transparency in the next decade
- 00:36:05 – Sourcing locally and partnering with community vendors
- 00:37:00 – Arah’s pick for best airport food: Bobby’s at LaGuardia
00:39:23 – Reflections on motherhood’s role in shaping leadership
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