Produce Talks

 This month on Produce Talks, we turn the mic over to Ron Lemaire the President of CPMA as he sits down with a panel of the media who cover our industry to review the year that was 2015 and predicting the major stories of 2016. This episode is the first half of a conversation with:·        John Groh (Produce News)·        Karen Davidson (The Grower)·        Tom Karst (The Packer)·        Karen James (Grocery Business)·        Matthew Ogg (Fresh Fruit Portal) In this episode, the panel reviews some of the major events around sustainability, food trends, and food safety and regulation. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Episode Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

This month on Produce Talks, we connect with Luca Gamberini from the Ocean Reef Group about a project they have been working on for the past three years call Nemo’s Garden.  Nemo’s Garden is a project investigating the benefits of creating underwater greenhouses.  Currently in operation off the coast of Italy, Luca explains how the project works, what they have learned, and what the future of underwater gardening could look like.  You can find out more on their Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube channel. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Episode Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

This month on the podcast we conclude our year-long conversation with Eric Biddiscombe. from Loblaw, and Jean-Guy Mazerolle, formerly of Co-op Atlantic. In this episode, we speak to both of them about the produce workforce, how changing demographics will affect it, and the importance of training. As a bonus, we are also check in with Ray Wowryk from Nature Fresh Farms.  In our June podcast, we heard about their mobile greenhouse operation.  Ray joins us to tell us all about how their summer went and a bit about their future plans for the project. You can check out the Nature Fresh Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for some great pictures of the mobile greenhouse in action. Download Podcast (runtime 20:34)

Tim York discusses the sustainability initiatives undertaken by Markon Cooperative Inc. Check out the sustainability case study. Listen Here

At the CPMA/CPHA Health Summit, Steve Manske discusses the various ways schools across Canada are trying to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students. Download Podcast

At the CPMA/CPHA Health Summit (2013) , David McInnes from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute discusses a new perspective on food systems. Download Podcast

This is another presentation from the 2013 Health Summit. This discussion introduces school boards into the discussion of helping promote healthy eating habits. Download Podcast

Discusses the Federal, Provincial and Territorial landscape in regards to nutrition and promotion. (originally from 2013) Download Podcast

At the 2014 CPMA/CPHA Health Summit in Toronto, Maxine Meadows, registered dietitian for Manitoba Healthy Foods in Schools, explains the vegetable and fruit program pilot project. Download Podcast

At the 2014 CPMA/CPHA Health Summit in Toronto, Carol Dombrow, registered dietitian for the Heart & Stroke foundation, speaks about the benefits of consistent messaging. Download Podcast

At the 2014 CPMA/CPHA Health Summit in Toronto, Lorelei DiSogra , VP of Nutrition and Health at United Fresh Produce Association, speaks about global strategies, policy and environmental changes needed to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Download Podcast

At the 2014 CPMA/CPHA Health Summit in Toronto, Heather Thomas, registered dietitian for Middlesex-London Health Unit talks about Cook It Up! a community based cooking program for at-risk youth. Download Podcast

At the 2014 CPMA/CPHA Health Summit in Toronto, Carol Dombrow, registered dietitian for the Heart & Stroke foundation, speaks about the benefits of consistent messaging. Download Podcast

In this episode we talk about all things potato. Kendra Mills, from the PEI Potato Board, was happy to fill us in on different varieties, proper storage, what that green stuff is, and much more! Download Podcast

In this episode we explore the Passion for Produce program offered annually at the CPMA Convention & Trade Show. This program is a once in a lifetime educational opportunity to learn about the produce industry and interact with a group of industry leaders as program mentors. Eric Biddiscombe from Loblaw joins us to discuss the program and how it came about. Download Podcast