Media Talks: 2015 Retrospective on Produce, Part 2

In part 2 of the Produce Talks year in review, we have turned the mic over to Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA, to continue his conversation with a panel of media who cover our industry to review the year that was 2015 and predicting the major stories of 2016.

This episode is the second 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 changes in international trade, technology impacts, marketing trends, and predicting the big stories of 2016.

Download Episode

Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Media Talks: 2015 Retrospective on Produce, Part 1

 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.

Download Episode

Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Episode 25 - The Underwater Greenhouse

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.



Download Episode

Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Episode 24 -Conversation with Retailers V The Produce Workforce And a Greenhouse on the Go Recap!

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)

Episode 23 - All About the Beacons

This month on the podcast we explore a topic that has been popping up over and over again, beacon technology.  Beacons are heralding a new way to interact with consumers, and the technology has potential to impact every level of the produce supply chain.

We are joined by Doug Thompson CEO and Co-Founder of Dot3 Ltd.  As well as being a leading expert in the field Doug is the author of  beekn.net, a blog that explores the latest developments in beacon technology.

Also joining us is Roland Hung, an Associate with McCarthy Tétrault.  Roland has authored an article titled, "Beacon Technology: A Primer for Retailers."  Roland speaks to us about how existing privacy legislation and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation may impact any beacon technology strategy.

Download Podcast

Episode 22—Conversations with Retailers Part IV

This month on the podcast we continue our year long conversation with Eric Biddiscombe. from Loblaw, and Jean-Guy Mazerolle, formerly of Co-op Atlantic.  In this episode, we explore the different nature of the relationships with international vendors and some of the challenges that come up with sourcing international product.

Listen here.

Episode 21—Village Farms Landfill Gas Project

This month we connect with Village Farms to discuss a new study that they have commissioned to examine the feasibility of using gas from retired landfills as a source of carbon dioxide.  Jonathan Bos a development director from Village Farms is able to join us to walk us through how the project came about, what are the potential benefits, and the partners they have gained along the way.

Download Podcast

Episode 20—Greenhouse On The Go!

There are many different ways that partners in the produce supply chain help to drive the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.  We have already done a podcast on the CPMA's major program the Half Your Plate program.
In this episode we connect with a member that is creating consumer education opportunities all over the place by using a mobile greenhouse.  Peter Quiring, President of Nature Fresh Farms joins us to discuss the project, how it all started, and some of the conversations he's having with people along the way.

You can check out the Nature Fresh Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for some great pictures of the mobile greenhouse in action.

Download Podcast

Episode 19 - Conversations with Retailers III Vendor Relationships

We continue to connect with retail members of the CPMA to discuss issues relevant to the produce industry. This is the third part of our conversation with Jean-Guy Mazerolle from Co-op Atlantic and Eric Biddiscombe from Loblaw.  In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build and manage business relationships between vendors and retailers.

Download Podcast

Episode 18 – CPMA Chair Address

In this episode we are pleased to bring you the speech from the new chair of CPMA, Mike Furi, of The Grocery People. Mike addressed the members in attendance to describe some of the activities that he expects CPMA to accomplish over the coming year including upcoming Town Hall events.

Download Episode

Episode 17 - Conversations with Retailers - Session 2

Over the course of the coming year we will be connecting with retail members of the CPMA to discuss issues relevant to the produce industry. This is the second of our conversations where we connect with Jean-Guy Mazerolle from Co-op Atlantic and Eric Biddiscombe from Loblaw to discuss expectations when working with vendors.

Download Episode

Episode 16 The Half Your Plate Program

In this episode we will learn about this joint initiative from The Canadian Produce Marketing Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Cancer Society to improve fruit and veggie consumption in Canada. Featured are Sue Lewis, Director of Market Development at CPMA; Carol Harrison, a Registered Dietician; and finally Ethan Adeland - Managing Director, Partnerships & Marketing with Food Bloggers of Canada Inc.

Download Podcast

Episode 15 - Conversations with Retailers - Session 1, Upcoming and Continuing Trends in Produce

Over the course of the coming year we will be connecting with retail members of the CPMA to discuss issues relevant to the produce industry. This is the first of our conversations where we connect with Jean-Guy Mazerolle from Co-Op Atlantic to discuss upcoming and ongoing trends for 2015.

Download Podcast