Produce Talks

In an ever-shifting geopolitical environment, Canada has elected a minority government with many new faces on Parliament Hill. In this episode, CPMA President Ron Lemaire is joined by David Coletto, founder, Chair and CEO of Abacus Data. They break down the post-election political landscape and emerging consumer trends, what we know about Prime Minister Mark Carney and his leadership values, and what it all means for how we can advocate for industry priorities.  Speakers: Ron Lemaire, President, CPMADavid Coletto, Founder, Chair, and CEO of Abacaus Data

At the CPMA Annual Convention Ron Lemaire, CPMA and John Stackhouse from RBC held a fireside chat to explore the current state of the North American agri-food and produce market. They delve into key issues such as macroeconomic trends affecting supply chains, ongoing trade and market access challenges for agri-food, and the ripple effects of volatile stock markets on industry investment. They also examine the shifting retail and consumer behaviours in a potentially high-inflation environment, along with sustainability pressures, labour shortages, and logistics constraints that continue to shape the industry's growth trajectory.

CPMA President Ron Lemaire is very pleased to introduce MP Lianne Rood as CPMA’s 2024 Produce Champion. Lianne is the Member of Parliament for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex in Ontario.Joining the conversation are CPMA Board Members, Steve Bamford of Fresh Advancements and Quinton Woods of Gwillimdale Farms.CPMA’s annual Produce Champion award is given to a Member of Parliament or a Senator who has been supportive of the produce industry and effective at bringing industry issues to the forefront on Parliament HillSubscribe to CPMA Produce Talks on Apple Podcasts, Simplecast and Spotify and on most other podcast players.

In this episode of Produce Talks, Dan Duguay, CPMA’s Sustainability Specialist, leads a discussion with Tom Pierce of Sobeys and Matt Aronson of Verdant Technologies.In an effort to improve sustainability in the supply chain for broccoli, these two companies worked together in a pilot project to remove ice from broccoli shipments and actually improve the shelf life of the product. They provide their insights in developing the process and how this innovation led to success at the farm, transport and the retail levels.Subscribe to CPMA Produce Talks on Apple Podcasts, Simplecast and Spotify and on most other podcast players.

In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Colin Chapdelaine of Whole Leaf, leads a discussion with 4 representatives from the retail sector. They provide their insights about changes in consumer buying and their strategies to enable Canadian consumers to continue to have access to healthy, affordable fresh produce.Panellists:• Tom Pierce of Sobeys  • Jerry Dzikowski of Giant Tiger  • Sierra Johnston of Save-On-Foods • Mimmo Franzone of Longo’s.Subscribe to CPMA Produce Talks on Apple Podcasts, Simplecast and Spotify and on most other podcast players. 

In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Jessica Levac of Bellemont Powell leads a discussion with 4 other women as they speak about the power of mentorship, how they have benefited from mentors and how women can get involved in a mentorship program. They also share key insights for other women in the industry. Our panelists are: • Devon Kennedy of Highline Mushrooms • Kate Isaacson of Fresh Direct Produce • Dorothy Redick of FirstFruits Farms • Colleen Goto of Freshpoint Vancouver

In this episode, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Kevin Sorichetti of EarthFresh Foods leads a discussion with Passion for Produce Alumni who speak about their produce journeys, what motivates them, and what they expect from their employer.Panellists include:Colbert Rahal – OppyAlexa Hambly – Gwillimdale FarmsElena Pitsikoulis – Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc.Jennifer Taylor – Loblaw Companies LimitedSubscribe to CPMA Produce Talks on Apple Podcasts, Simplecast and Spotify and on most other podcast players. 

Industry innovation is a key area of focus for CPMA. Over the years, CPMA has offered its members the opportunity to share their innovation efforts and facilitated connections to new innovators in the produce industry.In this episode, we hear from 3 different innovative companies about their products and their experiences at the Innovation Zone at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show. Mike Mauti asks these companies to share their stories and how they benefited from CPMA’s innovation efforts.Laurent Dallaire representing Innodal (www.innodal.com)Dil Vashi representing CO2 Gro (www.co2gro.ca)Todd Fabec representing Clarifruit (www.clarifruit.com)The end of this month’s episode features Industry Insights with Mike Mauti, as he shares current consumer perceptions and trends from the Canadian market.You can subscribe to CPMA Produce Talks on Google or Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast players.

In this episode, Jane Proctor, CPMA’s Vice President of Policy & Issue Management leads a discussion with CPMA Chair, Colin Chapdelaine, Brian Faulkner of BCfresh and Sue Lewis, CPMA’s Vice President of Market Development on the state of the Canadian produce industry.The four share their perspectives on:• Two recent research reports on the enormous contribution of the fresh produce industry to the Canadian economy.• What the industry and the government can do to improve Canadians’ health by encouraging the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.• Marketing fresh produce to Canadians using tips from the Half Your Plate website.

Ron Lemaire President of CPMA leads a Year in Review discussion with David Coletto. David is the Chair and CEO of Abacus Data, a Canadian market and public opinion research agency. Ron and David give an overview of what Canadians think of the political climate and how it relates to the fruit and vegetable industry. David also provides insights to how Canadians view key areas of sustainability, climate change, our health, inflation and the economy.Listen to the end for this month’s episode of Industry Insights as Mike Mauti shares some end of the year statistics from the Canadian consumer market.

In this episode, Dan Duguay, CPMA’s Sustainability Specialist, provides an update on the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) packaging regulations that aim to significantly reduce plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables.We discuss CPMA and the industry’s response to these proposals and report on the impact they would have on the fresh produce industry in Canada.Listen to the end for this month’s episode of Industry Insights as Mike Mauti shares more current statistics from the Canadian consumer market.

In this episode, we hear from different innovative companies and incubators about their products and how they have benefited from the Innovation Zone at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show. The first part features Mike Mauti interviewing Denise VanderVeen of CleanWorks, a produce innovator, and Andrew Wylie of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. www.cleanworkscorp.com www.vinelandresearch.com In the second part, Mike Mauti interviews Mike Meinhardt of Provision Analytics, also a produce innovator, and Heather Marshall from the Creative Destruction Lab, an incubator affiliated with the University of Calgary and the University of Toronto that supports companies and their new technologies. www.provision.io www.creativedestructionlab.com/locations/calgary Listen to the end for this month’s episode of Industry Insights as Mike Mauti shares more current statistics from the Canadian consumer market. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

This episode features CPMA President, Ron Lemaire, CPMA Board Member, Kendra Mills of the PEI Potato Board, and the 2023 CPMA Produce Champion, Member of Parliament (MP) Kody Blois, in a discussion about opportunities and key challenges within the fresh produce sector in Canada, and how Members of Parliament can help advance the goals of the Canadian agriculture sector. MP Blois has been the Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, Nova Scotia since 2019. He was recognized as the 2023 CPMA Produce Champion for his ongoing contributions to advancing the priorities of CPMA members and the broader Canadian agricultural sector. In addition, we've added a new segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. Listen to the end of the podcast as Mike Mauti shares some current statistics from the Canadian consumer market. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

In this episode, we listen to the recording of the Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto. Moderator Stewart Lapage from Oppy talks with 4 Passion for Produce Alumni. These young professionals talk about their experiences in the produce industry, including going through the COVID years and their thoughts on what’s next in the evolving workplace. Moderator: Stewart Lapage – Oppy Panelists: • Jessica Levac – Bellemont Powell Ltd • Ryan Ostertag – Star Group/CFP Ltd • Katrina McMorrow – Global Citrus • Greg Palmer – Loblaw Companies In addition, we've added a new segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. Listen to the end of the podcast as Mike Mauti shares some current statistics from the Canadian consumer market. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

This is the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto. Effective leadership is essential to ensure sustainability and innovation across the produce industry. This recording focuses on some female leaders who are helping move the food industry forward utilizing innovative solutions to challenges that impact the long-term sustainability of food in Canada. Moderator: Kimberly Roberts – Walmart Canada Panelists: • Stephanie Sansen – Loop Mission • Sangeeta Lalli – TELUS Agriculture • Susan Jones Ng – Limoneira Company • Amy Bowen – Vineland Research & Innovation Center We've added a new segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. Listen to the end of the podcast as Mike Mauti shares some current statistics from the Canadian consumer market. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

In this episode, we’re excited to present the annual “Between Two Chairs” podcast. Ron Lemaire shares stories with the previous CPMA Chair Mario Masellis and current CPMA Chair Colin Chapdelaine. Mario is with Catania Worldwide and Colin Chapdelaine is with the Star Group. Listen as they tell us where the industry is going and how sustainability and innovation are keys to the future of the produce industry. We've added a new segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. Listen to the end of the podcast as Mike Mauti shares some current statistics from the Canadian consumer market. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

In this episode, we listen to the recording of the Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.Supply chain challenges continue to impact the fresh produce industry. Compounding these issues, geopolitical, weather and economic impacts are now at the forefront of pressure to maintain the supply of fresh produce in a period of increasing concern about food prices. Canadian buyers will speak to their biggest challenges, the potential impacts across their supply chains and what changes they may be anticipating in the year ahead. Moderator: Mario Masellis – Catania Worldwide, CPMA Chair 2022-2023 Panelists: • Andrea Vandergrift – Costco Wholesale Canada • Lindsay Young – Federated Cooperatives Ltd • Sierra Johnston – Save-On-Foods • Jeff Fowler – Sobeys Inc • Jen Zavala – Gordon Food Service Canada We are very pleased to add a new short segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. At the end of this episode, we’ll hear from Mike Mauti with some statistics from t

Greg Ogiba is the Chair of the CPMA Education Committee and President of Mike and Mike’s. In this episode, Greg leads a discussion about mentorship and CPMA’s Passion for Produce Program with Jessica Levac of Bellemont Powell and Michael Wexler of the Oppenheimer Group. CPMA looks forward to hosting the next group of 18 Passion for Produce participants at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show April 25th-27th, 2023 in Toronto. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

In this episode, CPMA’s registered dietitian, Jen Ong Tone, discusses money-saving tips to help consumers continue to eat healthy with fruits and vegetables. She is joined by Christina Iaboni and Laurence Vezina as they discuss ways to stretch your food dollars in a safe and healthy way and offer other tips from the halfyourplate.ca website. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

This episode tackles the challenging goal of reducing plastics in produce packaging.Daniel Duguay is CPMA’s packaging specialist and coordinator for the pilot project developing sustainable packaging guides for the food and produce industry. We hear about an innovative new product that is helping reduce plastic packaging in cucumbers. Daniel introduces the topic and leads the discussion with:• Colton Moore - Commercial Director of New Products Introductions, Apeel Sciences • Joseph Talbourdet - Director of Marketing and Business Development, Topline/Westmoreland Sales • Dan Branson - Director of Business and Product Development, Mucci Farms Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms. CPMA would also like to acknowledge Fresh from Florida as a sponsor of this podcast.