Globalization of Produce – A View Across the Supply Chain (Part 1)

This month on Produce Talks we present the first part of a conversation recreating a panel discussion from CPMA’s Learning Lounge at CPMA’s Convention & Trade Show. Rich Dachman, Sysco; Hans Maurer, The Agri-Chain Center, Mario Masellis, M L. Catania Co. Ltd; discuss how international boundaries have slipped away as produce moves around the globe to meet the ever-increasing consumer appetite for all produce, year round. What has the impact been to industry, how have companies across the supply chain adjusted to this new business model?

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

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Produce Talks: Moving Product – Part 2

This month on Produce Talks we continue our conversation with Kristina Goodall, Director of Operations for NFI, and Jennifer Morris, VP Sales for Two Roads Logistics, to discuss the transportation and third-party logistics side of the produce industry.

In the second part of our discussion, we explore changes happening in the transportation and third-party logistics business, including the impact of changing trade agreements

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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: Moving Product – Part 1

This month on Produce Talks we connect with Kristina Goodall, Director of Operations for NFI and Jennifer Morris, VP Sales for Two Roads Logistics, to discuss the transportation and third-party logistics part of the produce industry. In Part 1 of our conversation, we discuss how changes in technology are affecting how produce is transported and the workforce that moves it.

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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.

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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. 

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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

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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. 

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.