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. 

Using Data to Improve Operations

One of the real advantages of investing in technology is the ability to collect and analyze data across all parts One of the real advantages of investing in technology is the ability to collect and analyze data across all parts of a company’s processes. But how does a business take all that data and synthesize it to make a positive change?

This month on Produce Talks, we touch base with Naturefresh Farms about recently being featured in an Intel case study, and how Naturefresh has taken information from data to improve its procedures.

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. 

Vertical Farming: Toward the Future

Vertical farming has started to find its own space among growing methods. This month on the Produce Talks podcast, we are joined by Greg Veinott, Manager of Business Development for GoodLeaf Farms, based in Bible Hill, NS. In our conversation, we explore the specifics around indoor vertical farming, including technology, unique characteristics of the plants, and how this method of growing could affect the future of the produce industry.

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. 

Show Notes:

0:21
Greg provides a description of the physical layout of GoodLeaf Farms in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia.
1:31
What makes a good location or building for a vertical farm?
2:33
Making sure to closely monitor what comes in and out of a vertical farm.
3:45
Controlling pests and disease in a controlled environment system
5:06
The product that makes sense to grow with a vertical farm.
7:00
Will we ever see a Vertical Farm growing strawberries?
7:58
The costs of production factoring into choosing to grow vertically
9:09
Why do all pictures of vertical farms look red/purple?
10:31
How light affects the plant development - taste, texture, and rate of growth.
11:55
Interactions and ties between research and development at GoodLeaf Farms and Dalhousie University
13:43
Why is GoodLeaf succeeding in an area where a lot of people have failed? Why are they successful with their vertical farming operation?
15:20
How do vertically grown products compare tastewise to a traditionally grown product?
16:44
How consumers are reacting to vertically grown product.
18:08
Will we ever see skyscrapers growing food in dense urban areas?
20:35
Can vertical farming help with food insecurity issues in the north?
21:53
What is the future of vertical farming, and what is the catalyst that will drive it?

Ethnic and Exotic Produce – Part 2

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 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.