Research and the Future of Produce

This month we’re touching base with Dr. Amy Bowen, the Research Director at Vineland Research to discuss how research shapes the produce industry, particularly in Canada.  We touch on some of the different types of research being done, the importance of consumers, and why transparency is key.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

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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.

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The Social Side of Produce – Part 2

We’re picking up on the Social media conversation with our panel once again, this time the conversation revolves around some key points for any business.  How are produce companies looking at their return on investment when it comes to social media.  The panel shares their thoughts on best practices, and shares some examples of companies outside of produce who are great examples to learn from.

Our Panel includes:

• Cathy Gomez, Markon Cooperative Inc.
• Heather Klein, Peak of the Market
• Kara Badder, NatureFresh™ Farms.
• Yumiko Hayashi, FreshPoint Vancouver

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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. 

The Social Side of Produce – Part 1

Social media is no longer a side of the desk product, and is now usually either embedded or is the entirety of a company’s communication strategy.  This month on produce talks we touch base with those responsible for social media from several CPMA member companies to discuss the changing landscape of social media, different strategies they are employing and best practices.  This month’s guests include:

• Cathy Gomez, Markon Cooperative Inc.
• Heather Klein, Peak of the Market
• Kara Badder, NatureFresh™ Farms.
• Yumiko Hayashi, FreshPoint Vancouver

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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. 

ELD’s: Changing The Way Produce Moves

With Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) being phased in to trucks in the United States and Transport Canada looking at a similar requirements, we took the opportunity to connect with Jaret Moch, Senior Director of Logistics at Star Produce to discuss what this could look like for the Canadian produce industry.

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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. 

A Seat at the Table – Taking a Closer look at the NAFTA Negotiations

With the latest round of NAFTA negotiations concluding in Montreal we’re connecting with the CPMA team that was there on behalf of the produce industry.  Troy Sherman, the CPMA Manager, Policy lets us in on what it’s like to be at the negotiations, what the role of the CPMA is at the table, and why it is important for CPMA and other association to be there and available.

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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 Media Review 2017 - Part 2

Looking back at 2017, we’ve already seen how new trends and innovations are changing the landscape of the fresh produce industry. As with previous years, we’re using our year-end episode to connect with industry media for a brief glimpse into what they’re seeing in terms of trends and innovations that are influencing the industry into 2018 and beyond.
Presented in two parts, in part 1 we touch base with:

• Matthew Ogg – Fresh Fruit Portal –Expanding product lines and the pressure of smaller retail stores.
• Maggie Giuffrida – The Produce News – The youth movement and the impact of social media on produce.

• Dr. Sara Celik – Renew Life on behalf of Grocery Business – How gut health is starting to influence consumer choices.

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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 Media Review 2017 - Part 1

 Looking back at 2017, we’ve already seen how new trends and innovations are changing the landscape of the fresh produce industry. As with previous years, we’re using our year-end episode to connect with industry media for a brief glimpse into what they’re seeing in terms of trends and innovations that are influencing the industry into 2018 and beyond.
Presented in two parts, in part 1 we touch base with:

• Greg Johnson – The Packer – The consumer statistics behind the continuing growth of organics.
• Karen Davidson (The Grower) – Smaller non-agriculture tech companies innovating with growers.

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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. 

Tackling Waste for Organizational Success

Waste is a word that not many people see as a positive, but according to Martin Gooch, “where there is waste there is opportunity.”  The Value Chain Management International co-founder connects with us on this month’s podcast for a deeper discussion on how examining waste can create opportunities for organizations.  We also touch base with Brad Wiseman from EarthFresh about his company’s participation in a case study on improving table potato quality and pack-out.

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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. 

Ready, Click, Cook — Online meal kit solutions

Just three years ago if you brought up the idea of a meal kit in a box almost everyone would picture the traditional frozen dinner that you might have to chip out of a block of ice in a freezer - that’s definitely not the case anymore! With rising consumer confidence there has been a swell in online grocery and meal kit purchases. This month on Produce Talks we touch base with Daniel Henderson, VP of Culinary & Strategic Sourcing for Chef’s Plate and Reza Bafandeh, VP of Supply Chain for SPUD.CA to discuss online purchasing, meal kits, and how this part of the industry is evolving.

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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.