Produce Talks: Between Two Chairs

In this episode, we’re excited to present the annual “Between Two Chairs” podcast. Ron Lemaire shares stories with the previous CPMA Chair Mario Masellis and current CPMA Chair Colin Chapdelaine. Mario is with Catania Worldwide and Colin Chapdelaine is with the Star Group. Listen as they tell us where the industry is going and how sustainability and innovation are keys to the future of the produce industry.

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.

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Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

The Changing Supply Chain – A Buyer’s Perspective

In this episode, we listen to the recording of the Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.Supply chain challenges continue to impact the fresh produce industry. Compounding these issues, geopolitical, weather and economic impacts are now at the forefront of pressure to maintain the supply of fresh produce in a period of increasing concern about food prices. Canadian buyers will speak to their biggest challenges, the potential impacts across their supply chains and what changes they may be anticipating in the year ahead.

Moderator: Mario Masellis – Catania Worldwide, CPMA Chair 2022-2023
Panelists:
• Andrea Vandergrift – Costco Wholesale Canada
• Lindsay Young – Federated Cooperatives Ltd
• Sierra Johnston – Save-On-Foods
• Jeff Fowler – Sobeys Inc
• Jen Zavala – Gordon Food Service Canada

We are very pleased to add a new short segment to each of our monthly episodes called Industry Insights. At the end of this episode, we’ll hear from Mike Mauti with some statistics from the Canadian consumer market.

Play the Podcast

Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

Between Two Chairs

CPMA President Ron Lemaire chats with past Chair Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose and current Chair Mario Masellis of Catania Worldwide. This annual Between Two Chairs special features them talking about the current produce industry challenges and issues and how our industry helps consumers continue to enjoy fresh produce in these challenging times. They also discuss their other activities during the past year including the successful in-person Convention and Trade Show in Montréal and they look forward to our next annual Convention and Trade Show in Toronto in April, 2023.

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Thank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.

CPMA would also like to acknowledge Fresh from Florida as a sponsor of this podcast.
       

CPMA Produce Person of the Year – Larry McIntosh

In this episode, Ron Lemaire has a discussion with Larry McIntosh, a past Chair of CPMA and the 2021 Produce Person of the Year. Larry has spent 27 years in the produce industry, recently retiring as CEO of Peak of the Market. We talk about how the produce industry has evolved over years, the resilience of our sector and the future hurdles that we will continue to overcome. Among many other topics, Larry tells us that he feels CPMA’s Passion for Produce program is the best program in the industry for young professionals and shares his advice for PFP participants to achieve success in business.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsors, Nature Fresh Farms and Fresh From Florida.

                 

Between Two Chairs 2020

On this episode of Produce Talks, we feature an interview with CPMA Chair Davis Yung of Fresh Direct Produce and CPMA Past Chair Oleen Smethurst of Costco Canada for our annual Between Two Chairs special. We take a look back at the last several months, revisiting the ways that CPMA continues to support the produce industry with new resources and advocacy efforts. We also take a look at what is ahead and talk about some of the ways that members and industry partners can get engaged with CPMA.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

                 

Between Two Chairs 2019

This month on Produce Talks we sit down with Past Chair, Les Mallard of Fyffes North America and the new CPMA Chair, Oleen Smethurst of Costco Canada. We discuss the high level issues affecting the produce industry, the role and impact of CPMA volunteers, and some of the areas that CPMA will focus on in the next year.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

                 

Between 2 Chairs 2018

This month on Produce Talks we turn the microphone over to Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA, as he sits down for a conversation with Rick Alcocer, the past CPMA Chair, of Duda Farms for the past year, and Les Mallard, the new CPMA Chair, of Fyffes North America Inc. They’ll discuss the role of the CPMA chair, the direction CPMA will take in the next year, and how young professionals can get involved and make a difference.

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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. 

Produce Talks: Between Two Chairs – Part 2

This month on Produce Talks Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA, continues his conversation with Sam Silvestro, Past Chair of CPMA, and Rick Alcocer, the new CPMA Chair, of Duda Farms. In this part of the conversation, Rick outlines the priorities for his upcoming year as chair, and we get to learn just how much CPMA’s first international chair knows about Canada.

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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. 

Produce Talks: Between Two 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 Sam Silvestro, Chair of CPMA for the past year, and Rick Alcocer, the incoming CPMA Chair, of Duda Farms. They’ll discuss the role of the CPMA chair and the direction of CPMA.

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. 

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.