Get to know the thought leaders sharing their insights at the Future Food Systems event (25-26 January, Online | 2 March, London) in our dedicated speaker interview series.
Independent Forums: What is your favorite food?
Irina Turcan: Right now it’s the bergamot citrus and the basil. I have a shot of bergamot juice every morning. I also make my own fresh basil pesto pretty much weekly.
Independent Forums: Who or what has inspired you this year and why?
Irina Turcan: My brother. We were talking about positive thinking and he said something I will always remember “if you make zero assumptions and have no expectations you are always positive no matter what the outcome is. With this approach, you just keep going until you’ve reached your goal without actually getting sad in the process.”
Independent Forums: What is your biggest source of motivation?
Irina Turcan: I love spending time with our customers and make sure I talk to them weekly. Knowing that our products can help someone feel better is my biggest source of motivation.
Independent Forums: How would you describe a typical day?
Irina Turcan: I typically set my goals at the start of the week and focus on three core tasks each day. I am most productive in the mornings. That’s when I focus on strategic and creative tasks first, followed by meetings and team work in the afternoon.
Independent Forums: What’s one thing about you that most people don’t know?
Irina Turcan: I’ve just got my skipper licence and can sail yachts up to 16m long.
Independent Forums: What’s one thing about your organization that you wish more people knew?
Irina Turcan: Not only do we specialize in medicinal plants and forgotten foods, we are also proud to partner directly with and support small organic farmers around the world.
Independent Forums: Where do you see the biggest opportunity for transformation within the food system?
Irina Turcan: Until recently, brands had to go to distributors and retailers to sell their products. Today, we see more and more consumers discovering brands online and shopping directly with them. There is a big opportunity in establishing and building these direct relationships, across all generations. Consumers are also becoming more aware of the footprint we leave on our planet and are more likely to shop with brands that put sustainability at the core of what they do.
Independent Forums: What are you most looking forward to at Future Food Systems 2022?
Irina Turcan: I am excited about meeting and learning from the industry leaders and the opportunity to exchange ideas in the food space.
Irina will be speaking in the 'Influencing Consumer Behavior Change' session on 26 January 2022.
Register here to join the conversation.