Media Talks: 2016 Retrospective on Produce - Part 2

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 2016 and predicting the major stories of 2017.

This episode is the first half of a conversation with:

·         Meagan Kashty (Canadian Grocer)

·         Karen Davidson (The Grower)

·         Greg Johnson (The Packer)

·         Marieke Hemmes (Fresh Plaza)

Play Part 2

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

You can subscribe to the podcast. 

Media Talks: 2016 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 2016 and predicting the major stories of 2017.

This episode is the first half of a conversation with:

·         Meagan Kashty (Canadian Grocer)

·         Karen Davidson (The Grower)

·         Greg Johnson (The Packer)

·         Marieke Hemmes (Fresh Plaza)

Play Part 1

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

You can subscribe to the podcast. 

Ethnic and Exotic Produce – Part 1

There has been a steady growth the variety and origin of produce over the past ten to fifteen years.  In part one we explore some of the factors that are contributing to this growth, including the influence the rising number of newcomers to Canada are having on the produce departments.  We assembled a panel to discuss how the produce department is changing and the opportunity that exists with this trend.

This month we have the privilege of being joined by:

• ·         Davis Yung, President, Fresh Direct Produce
• ·         George Pitsikoulis, President, Canadawide Fruits Wholesalers
• ·         Michael Baird, Category Manager Ethnic, Loblaw Companies

Play the Podcast

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

You can subscribe to the podcast. 

Social License to Operate – The Produce Perspective

In our last episode, we explored the concept of Social License by connecting with Janice Tranberg, Executive Director of SaskCanola about their documentary License to Farm.  This month we explore Social License from a different perspective when we talk with Steve Roosdahl, Executive Director of Supply Chain for The Oppenheimer Group. Steve gives us his perspective on Social License, how it is viewed at Oppy, and where a company can start to build a Social License plan.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

You can subscribe to the podcast.

Social License to Operate - License to Farm

Social License is a term that has become more prominent in the last couple of years.  Closely linked with Corporate Social Responsibility, Social License has emerged as a concept that more companies are focusing on.  On this episode of Produce Talks, we connect with Janice Tranberg, Executive Director of SaskCanola.  Under her leadership, SaskCanola produced a documentary call License to Farm that explores the concept of social license. The documentary provides an overview of how producers can handle controversial topics and how it is crucial for producers to engage with the public to maintain public confidence.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Order up! A Look at Produce in Food Service — Part 2

This month on Produce Talks, part 2 of our conversation with a panel of experts on the Food Service side of the produce industry.  This panel tackles everything from how technology is changing the industry, what is happening with the overlap between food service and retail operations, and what changes will come to the distribution chain within the next 10 years.

Please welcome to the podcast:

• ·         Dan Martin, Senior Director Produce, Sysco Canada
• ·         Colleen Goto, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, FreshPoint Vancouver
• ·         Sean Walsh, North American Director Fruits, Vegetables and Dairy, Gordon Food Service
• ·         Tim York, President, Markon Cooperative Inc.

Play the Podcast (to download, right-click then click "Save target as..." or "Save link as...")

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Order up! A Look at Produce in Food Service — Part 1

This month on Produce Talks, we have assembled a panel of experts on the Food Service side of the produce industry.  This panel tackles everything from how technology is changing the industry, what is happening with the overlap between food service and retail operations, and what changes will come to the distribution chain within the next 10 years.

Please welcome to the podcast:

• Dan Martin, Senior Director Produce, Sysco Canada
• Colleen Goto, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, FreshPoint Vancouver
• Sean Walsh, North American Director Fruits, Vegetables, and Dairy, Gordon Food Service
• Tim York, President, Markon Cooperative Inc.

 Play the Podcast (to download, right-click then click "Save target as..." or "Save link as...")

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Women in Produce – Part 2

Once again, we’re turning the microphone over to Jane Proctor, Vice President of Policy & Issue Management at CPMA, for the second part of her conversation with female leaders in the industry.  In the second half of the conversation, our panelists provide their advice for young people entering the produce workforce and reflect on the near future of the produce industry.

Please welcome to the podcast:

·         Angela Santiago, CEO, Co-Founder, Little Potato Company, The Little Potato Company Ltd.

·         Bernadette Hamel, Vice President, National Procurement, Produce and Dairy, Metro Richelieu Inc.

·         Beth Pattillo, Director of Marketing, Kings Produce Ltd.

·         Stephanie Lariviere, Sales Regulatory Manager, Erie James Limited

Download the Podcast (right click and save as)

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Check out the winners of the CPMA Fresh Health Award.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.  

Episode 32 - Women in Produce (Part 1)

This month, we’re turning the microphone over to Jane Proctor, Vice President of Policy & Issue Management at CPMA to take a look at how the produce workforce is changing.  With more women taking on senior roles in the industry and the increase of female participation in Passion for Produce both indicate a fundamental shift in the demographics of the industry.  We’ve gathered together a small group of women to reflect on their different experiences, and what the future of the industry looks like for young women entering today.  Please welcome to the podcast:

·         Angela Santiago, CEO & Co-Founder, The Little Potato Company Ltd.

·         Bernadette Hamel, Vice President, National Procurement, Produce and Dairy, Metro Richelieu Inc.

·         Beth Pattillo, Director of Marketing, Kings Produce Ltd.

·         Stephanie Lariviere, Sales Regulatory Manager, Erie James Ltd.

Download the Podcast (right click and save as)

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.  

Episode 31 - Connecting with the CPMA Chairs - Part 2

This month on Produce Talks we turn the microphone over to Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA as he sits down for a conversation with Mike Furi from The Grocery People (CPMA Past Chair), and Sam Silvestro from Walmart Canada (CPMA Chair) to discuss the role of the CPMA chair and the direction of the CPMA organization. This month we are splitting the conversation into two episodes.




Download Episode

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Episode 31 - Connecting with the CPMA Chairs - Part 1

This month on Produce Talks we turn the microphone over to Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA as he sits down for a conversation with Mike Furi from The Grocery People (CPMA Past Chair), and Sam Silvestro from Walmart Canada (CPMA Chair) to discuss the role of the CPMA chair and the direction of the CPMA organization. This month we are splitting the conversation into two episodes.




Download Episode

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

Episode 30 Connecting with Post-Secondary Food Service

This month on Produce Talks we’re taking a look at foodservice at post-secondary institutions. To provide us with an informed perspective we’ve connected with Brent Brownlee, Director Ancillary Services at Algonquin College. The conversation with Brent went in a few directions but we mostly focused not only on finding out about the different changes that have come about in the foodservice part of post-secondary, but also what those changes could mean for changing consumer expectations as students complete their studies and gain purchasing power in the next stage of their lives.


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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Episode 29 – Sub-zero Produce

This month, on Produce Talks, we turn our attention to a project aimed at addressing food security issues in northern communities.  Glenn Scott, from Agriartic, joins us to discuss the Agridome, a controlled environment growing facility that is operating year round in Whitehorse, Yukon.  Currently, Glenn is conducting a feasibility study supported by Yukon Research Centre – Cold Climate Innovations, Yukon Agriculture, HydeAway Domes and däna Näye Ventures to determine the viability of commercial production facilities throughout the north.

The Agridome

With a consistent drive to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables it’s easy to see why projects like this one are intriguing, but what impact can this have on the capacity of communities in the north to grow their own fruits and vegetables year round?   Glenn shares with us the origin of the project, how it all came together and his our look on the future of year-round northern agriculture.

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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

You can find more information on the project by visiting Agriarctic, their Facebook and Twitter.

Tomatoes growing in the Agridome	Winter Kale from inside the Agridome

Episode 28 – Project Veggie and Space Lettuce

This month on Produce Talks, we connect with Trent Smith the Project Manager for the Veggie facility on the International Space Station. Trent was able to explain some of the unique considerations that exist when trying to provide plants with just the essentials of soil, water, and light. Project Veggie has implications for not only for long-term space travel, but some of what they are learning can have impacts on production practices back on earth.



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Music in this episode is from bensound.com.

Trent was kind enough to provide us with a few links for more information on the Veggie project, as well as, links to some of the content discussed on the podcast. Click on the embedded links below to access the pictures, videos and tweets.

Veggie News Releases

Harvesting the First Crop Salad

Selfie Still of Kjell and Scott enjoying their home-grown space lettuce.

Salad Selfie

Tomorrow we'll eat the anticipated veggie harvest on @space_station! But first, lettuce take a #selfie. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/fUKQMhEDjK

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 9, 2015

Space Station Live: How Does Your Garden Grow in Space?

Veggie Plant Growth System Version-5

Wringing out a Washcloth in Space