Produce Talks, brought to you by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), is where industry leaders come together to share insights, experiences, and fresh perspectives on the world of produce. Each episode features in-depth conversations with growers, retailers, innovators, and experts across the supply chain, exploring the issues, opportunities, and stories shaping our sector. Whether you’re in the field, the warehouse, the store, or the boardroom, Produce Talks helps you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the future of fresh.
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Produce Talks, brought to you by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), is where industry leaders come together to share insights, experiences, and fresh perspectives on the world of produce. Each episode features in-depth conversations with growers, retailers, innovators, and experts across the supply chain, exploring the issues, opportunities, and stories shaping our sector. Whether you’re in the field, the warehouse, the store, or the boardroom, Produce Talks helps you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the future of fresh.
In this episode of Produce Talks podcast, CPMA’s Dan Duguay sits down with Justine Taylor, chief sustainability officer (CSO) of Topline Farms to discuss her career journey, the evolution of her role, and the leading challenges CSOs face today. Tune in to hear her perspective on the future of sustainability in fresh produce and her top advice for professionals just starting their journey.
CPMA's Passion For Produce(PFP) alumni share their experiences in the program, the biggest lessons they’ve learned, and their top tips for anyone applying for the 2026 PFP program.
Shannon Sommerauer, CPMA Senior Director of Government Relations & Industry Technology is joined by George Pitsikoulis, CPMA past Chair and President and CEO of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc., Adri de Wet, President of Fresh Direct Produce, and Hutch Morton, Senior Vice President of J.E. Russell Produce for a bite-size conversation on the role of advocacy in supporting the fresh produce sector in Canada.
CPMA President Ron Lemaire sits down with CPMA Chair Steve Bamford, CEO of Fresh Advancements, Bamford Produce, and Freshline Foods, and past CPMA Chair George Pitsikoulis, President and CEO of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc.
Produce Talks, brought to you by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, is back with shorter, more frequent episodes packed with what’s new in the produce industry. This season features a special sustainability series on food waste, packaging, and more, along with consumer insights with influencers, dietitians, and marketing research experts. We’ll also put a spotlight on people shaping the future of produce. Stay tuned – because the future of fresh starts here.
CPMA President Ron Lemaire and Abacus Data CEO David Coletto explore Canada’s new minority government, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, and what the shifting political and consumer landscape means for industry advocacy.
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
Young professionals are changing the perspective of businesses by introducing new approaches and solutions, openness to diversity and inclusion, and adaptability that will strengthen any organization.
Jane Proctor, Colin Chapdelaine, Brian Faulkner and Sue Lewis on the state of the Canadian produce industry and marketing fruit and vegetables to Canadians.
Dan Duguay 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.
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.
Produce Talks, brought to you by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), is where industry leaders come together to share insights, experiences, and fresh perspectives on the world of produce. Each episode features in-depth conversations with growers, retailers, innovators, and experts across the supply chain, exploring the issues, opportunities, and stories shaping our sector. Whether you’re in the field, the warehouse, the store, or the boardroom, Produce Talks helps you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the future of fresh.
