Produce Talks

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.                 

This episode features a recording of one of the 2022 Convention and Trade Show Learning Lounges, Growing in Produce. Moderator Mike Catalano of The Wonderful Company discusses with other young professionals who are Passion for Produce program (PFP) alumni about how they started in the produce industry and their current roles. The panelists are: • Kevin Sorichetti, EarthFresh • Stephanie Myles, Nature Fresh Farms • Kelsey Van Lissum, Oppy • Vaughn Smith, Global Citrus Group The discussion is also around the benefits of CPMA's PFP program and how their PFP mentors continue to help them succeed. 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.                 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness month in Canada. We welcome Johnny McGuire and Eric Regnier who are representing the Produce Supply Organization. The PSO is a not-for-profit organization that was established to help suppliers in the produce industry understand and use technology effectively. We have a discussion about cybersecurity and what organizations need to know and what they should be doing to combat the many cyber threats that exist today. 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.                 

In this episode, CPMA President, Ron Lemaire and CPMA Chair, Mario Masellis of Catania Worldwide welcome the 2022 CPMA Produce Champion, Scot Davidson, the Member of Parliament (MP) for York-Simcoe. CPMA’s annual Produce Champion award is given to one or more Members of Parliament and/or a Senator who have been supportive of the produce industry and effective at bringing industry issues to the forefront on Parliament Hill. In the second part of the podcast, Ron Lemaire leads a panel of discussion consisting of Quinton Woods of Gwillimdale Farms, Fred Webber, former CEO of DRC, Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose, and Colin Chapdelaine of Star Produce. The panel discusses the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act (C-280), which was recently introduced in the House of Commons by MP Scot Davidson, the history and the importance of this bill, and how people can get involved to support it through the legislative process. 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.                 

In this episode we feature the recording of a Learning Lounge from our recent Convention and Trade Show in Montréal. Listen now to Moderator Michèle McMillan of Ippolito Fruit and Produce, as she speaks with Julie Trepanier of The Wonderful Company, Susan Leung of Fresh Direct Produce and Jennie Coleman of Equifruit about their experiences in the produce industry. They share some interesting personal and professional stories and offer some suggestions to help other women succeed and thrive. 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.                 

In this episode, we feature a recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Convention and Trade Show. As we come out of the global pandemic, the disruptions in the supply chain are still a stress on the produce industry. Listen to some of the buyers for Canadian retailers to learn how they’ve had to adjust and how their expectations are shifting for today and into the future. Moderator: Mario Masellis – Catania Worldwide Panelists: Steve Boulianne – Metro Zack Jones – Save-On-Foods Jeff Fowler – Sobeys Emily Vosburgh – Gordon Food Service Mimmo Franzone – Longo Brothers Food Markets 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.                 

CPMA President Ron Lemaire chats with past Chair Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose and current Chair Mario Masellis of Catania Worldwide. This annual Between Two Chairs special features them talking about the current produce industry challenges and issues and how our industry helps consumers continue to enjoy fresh produce in these challenging times. They also discuss their other activities during the past year including the successful in-person Convention and Trade Show in Montréal and they look forward to our next annual Convention and Trade Show in Toronto in April, 2023. 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.                 

In today’s episode we feature a recording of a recent CPMA Learning Lounge from our 2022 Convention and Trade Show. Climate change, pesticide management, improving yields and growing in non-traditional areas are just some of the factors that influence how produce is grown. Listen now as our Moderator Steve Bamford of Fresh Advancements leads an informative discussion with some industry experts on new ways of growing produce. Speakers: Florent Schmahl – Growcer Modular Food Solutions Amy Bowen – Vineland Research & Innovation Center Barry Murchie – GoodLeaf and TruLeaf Farms Philippe Labrie – GreenForges Bahram Rashti – Fresh Green Farms / Up Vertical Farms Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.                 

In this episode of Produce Talks, Jeff Hall (CPMA’s Food Safety Specialist) talks to Dr Lawrence Goodridge and Dr Jeffrey Farber, both from the University of Guelph about the history and the technology of Whole Genome Sequencing. Jeff discusses this technology and how industry can apply it to food safety with Afreen Malik, Director of Science Programs at Western Growers. Whole Genome Sequencing occupies a more important role in foodborne outbreak investigations, but many people don’t understand what it is or its history. Jeff will ask these experts to explain the technology and discuss the implications for industry. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.                 

On this episode we are pleased to welcome CPMA’s Sue Lewis and Mike Mauti, Managing Partner of Execulytics Consulting as they discuss the recently released CPMA Canadian Marketplace Annual Report. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Canadian produce market for 2021. They discuss consumer trends in Canada, the growth of Canadian greenhouse grown and consumer perceptions about organic produce. Mike also uses his crystal ball to look at 2022 and beyond in relation to the growing and retailing of fruits and vegetables in Canada. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsors, Nature Fresh Farms and Fresh From Florida.                 

In this podcast we welcome Mr. Jorge Londono de la Cuesta who has been the Ambassador of Colombia to Canada since November 2020. Ambassador Londono speaks with CPMA President Ron Lemaire about the economic opportunities in his South American country. He also talks about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how his country is recovering economically. Listen to hear Ambassador Londono share his insights and his country’s trade goals and the opportunities for Canadian produce companies in Colombia. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsors, Nature Fresh Farms and Fresh From Florida.                 

This edition of Produce Talks is a recording of our October webinar on the 2021 federal election results and the impact on the fresh produce industry. David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, shares his election analysis and insights, followed by a roundtable discussion with industry leaders on issues requiring federal government action. Current issues such as supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, sustainability, and the need for a Canadian financial protection tool for produce sellers are discussed. Be sure to check out this insightful and engaging conversation featuring the following panelists: • David Coletto (Abacus Data) • Ron Lemaire (CPMA) • Guy Milette (Courchesne Larose) • David Dube (Krown Produce) • Quinton Woods (Gwillimdale Farms) • Larry McIntosh (retired from Peak of the Market) Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsors, Nature Fresh Farms and Fresh From Florida.                 

In this episode, Ron Lemaire has a discussion with Larry McIntosh, a past Chair of CPMA and the 2021 Produce Person of the Year. Larry has spent 27 years in the produce industry, recently retiring as CEO of Peak of the Market. We talk about how the produce industry has evolved over years, the resilience of our sector and the future hurdles that we will continue to overcome. Among many other topics, Larry tells us that he feels CPMA’s Passion for Produce program is the best program in the industry for young professionals and shares his advice for PFP participants to achieve success in business. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsors, Nature Fresh Farms and Fresh From Florida.                 

In this episode, we feature a discussion with the CPMA 2021 Produce Champion, Ontario Senator Rob Black, who is a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. CPMA's annual Produce Champion award is given to one or more Member(s) of Parliament and/or Senator(s) who have been supportive of the produce industry and effective at bringing industry issues to the forefront on Parliament Hill. Senator Black shares his story on how he became a Senator and how he has worked to further the interests of agriculture in Canada, throughout his professional career and, more recently in Ottawa. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.                 

Sustainability has been a focus for the produce industry for many years and is a complex issue with multiple areas of focus. In Canada current areas of focus include the potential of a Canadian index to benchmark Agri-food sustainability, government focus on issues such as carbon credits and industry-led initiatives to improve sustainability. This episode provides industry insight on some of the key areas of focus including Canada’s Sustainability Index, greenhouse gas (GHG) sequestration, biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. Guests on this episode include Scott Ross of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Keith Kuhl of Southern Potato, Quinton Woods of Gwillimdale Farms, and David McInnes representing the National Index of Agri-Food Performance. Play the Podcast Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.