Produce Talks

This episode from a CPMA 2026 business session features a panel of growers, retailers, and food rescue innovators who break down practical strategies to reduce Canada’s food loss and waste. Tune in to learn more about how addressing logistics, economic incentives, surplus produce, and new supply chain survey initiatives could help tackle the complexities of food loss and waste.

In this episode of the CPMA Produce Talks podcast, Sue Lewis, CPMA’s VP of Marketing & Events, interviews Canadian food influencers Christopher Rivest, dietitian Desiree Nielsen, and home economist Mairlyn Smith on how they inspire their audiences to eat more fruits and vegetables.

In this episode of CPMA Produce Talks, host Daniel Duguay, Senior Director, Sustainability at CPMA, speaks with Edmund Chin, Managing Director and Co-founder of Lucid Corp, about how design thinking is transforming the way innovative packaging is developed, designed, and ultimately adopted across the fresh produce supply chain.

In this episode, Sue Lewis, Vice President of Marketing at CPMA, and Registered Dietitian, Veronica Rouse, discuss the key role fruits and vegetables play in enhancing overall health. Key highlights include: • The biggest barriers to eating more fruits and vegetables — and tips and tricks to help consumers to overcome them • The latest trends in consuming fruits and vegetables • How the produce in...

The fresh produce supply chain has always been driven by innovation. Whether an organization is involved in primary production, wholesale, retail, big or small, innovation is at the heart of competitiveness as all strive to provide the consumer with products they want to buy again. In this episode, Denise Venderveen (Clean Works), Amanda Wilder (Provision Analytics) and Francois R.-Moisan (Sollum...

In this episode, CPMA VP of marketing & events, Sue Lewis, talks with Mike Mauti of Execulytics Consulting about the Canadian shopper. Building on years data gleaned from monthly consumer surveys, Mike looks at the shopping habits of Canadian Gen Z , what is motivating shoppers and  how the 2026 retail landscape will look like.

In this episode, Ron Lemaire, president of CPMA, and David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, break down the biggest forces that have shaped Canada’s fresh produce industry in 2025. From shifting consumer habits to global trade impacts, the two explore what truly moved the market this past year. Looking ahead to 2026, David highlights key consumer and market trends the industry should prioritize to stre...

If there is one topic that has dominated the sustainability conversation in our industry, it is packaging. But as we look toward 2026, the conversation is evolving from simple reduction to a complex balance of functionality, food safety, and environmental footprint.  In the finale of our Fall 2025 Sustainability Series , CPMA's Produce Talks  sits down with experts across the supply chain to discu...

Is increasing "audit fatigue" stifling genuine environmental progress? In this episode, we tackle the sustainability reporting paradox with John Mesko, CEO of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, Wyatt Maysey, Director of Sustainability, Taylor Farms, and Garland Perkins of Fresh Endeavors Consulting. Discover how the fresh produce industry can move from reactive compliance to "making our own playb...

 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.

In this episode, Jennifer Ong Tone , Manager of Health & Education at CPMA sits down with three alumni of CPMA’s Passion for Produce (PFP) Program – Biagio Fonicolo , Senior Buyer at Canadawide Fruits, Janis Deschênes , Sales Manager (Retail, Wholesale, & Food Service) at Highline Mushrooms, and Jenna Peters , Brand Promotions Manager at Mucci Farms to discuss their experiences in the PFP program,...

In this episode of Produce Talks, 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...

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. The three talk leadership, advocacy, and the future of fresh produce. From navigating supply chain and geopolitical challenges to setting priorities for the year ahead, thi...

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 f...

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...

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 als...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 f...

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 – Oppy Alexa Hambly – Gwillimd...

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 as...

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 t...

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, cl...

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...