Produce Talks

By Canadian Produce Marketing Association

What's Produce Talks about?

Produce Talks is a monthly podcast produced and hosted by CPMA. Each episode explores current issues and the latest news in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, including new research, industry trends, innovations and much more. Learn more about our ever-changing industry as we feature special guests from across the produce sector.

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Produce Talks episodes:

05.31.2024
Young Professionals – Attracting and Keeping Emerging Leaders
Young professionals are changing the perspective of businesses by introducing new approaches and solutions, openness to diversity and inclusion, and adaptability that will strengthen any organization.
02.26.2024
CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight (Part 2)
We hear from 3 different innovative companies about their products and their experiences at the Innovation Zone at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show.
01.30.2024
January 2024 State of the Canadian produce industry
Jane Proctor, Colin Chapdelaine, Brian Faulkner and Sue Lewis on the state of the Canadian produce industry and marketing fruit and vegetables to Canadians.
12.14.2023
Year-End discussion with David Coletto
Ron Lemaire and David Coletto have a 2023 Year in Review discussion.
12.07.2023
Government Proposals for Packaging Regulations
Dan Duguay provides an update on the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) packaging regulations that aim to significantly reduce plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables. We discuss CPMA and the industry’s response to these proposals and report on...
11.30.2023
Government Proposals for Packaging Regulations
In this episode, Dan Duguay, CPMA’s Sustainability Specialist, provides an update on the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) packaging regulations that aim to significantly reduce plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables. We discuss CPMA and the industry’s response...
10.31.2023
CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight
In this episode, we hear from different innovative companies and incubators about their products and how they have benefited from the Innovation Zone at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show. The first part features Mike Mauti interviewing Denise VanderVeen of...
09.29.2023
CPMA Produce Champion MP Kody Blois
This episode features CPMA President, Ron Lemaire, CPMA Board Member, Kendra Mills of the PEI Potato Board, and the 2023 CPMA Produce Champion, Member of Parliament (MP) Kody Blois, in a discussion about opportunities and key challenges within the fresh...
08.30.2023
Young Professionals – Growing in Produce
In this episode, we listen to the recording of the Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto. Moderator Stewart Lapage from Oppy talks with 4 Passion for Produce Alumni. These young professionals talk about their...
07.31.2023
Women in Produce
This is the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto. Effective leadership is essential to ensure sustainability and innovation across the produce industry. This recording focuses on some female leaders who are...
06.29.2023
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...
05.30.2023
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...
03.30.2023
Mentorship and the CPMA Passion for Produce Program
Greg Ogiba is the Chair of the CPMA Education Committee and President of Mike and Mike’s. In this episode, Greg leads a discussion about mentorship and CPMA’s Passion for Produce Program with Jessica Levac of Bellemont Powell and Michael Wexler...
02.27.2023
Saving money on food: Insights from the nutrition community
In this episode, CPMA’s registered dietitian, Jen Ong Tone, discusses money-saving tips to help consumers continue to eat healthy with fruits and vegetables. She is joined by Christina Iaboni and Laurence Vezina as they discuss ways to stretch your food...
12.29.2022
Sustainable Produce Packaging
This episode tackles the challenging goal of reducing plastics in produce packaging. Daniel Duguay is CPMA’s packaging specialist and coordinator for the pilot project developing sustainable packaging guides for the food and produce industry. We hear about an innovative new...
11.30.2022
Young professionals and CPMA's PFP program
This episode features a recording of one of the 2022 Convention and Trade Show Learning Lounges, Growing in Produce. Moderator Mike Catalano of The Wonderful Company discusses with other young professionals who are Passion for Produce program (PFP) alumni about...
11.02.2022
Cybersecurity Awareness for the Produce Industry
October is Cybersecurity Awareness month in Canada. We welcome Johnny McGuire and Eric Regnier who are representing the Produce Supply Organization. The PSO is a not-for-profit organization that was established to help suppliers in the produce industry understand and use...
09.30.2022
Produce Champion MP Scot Davidson and Financial Protection Bill Panel
In this episode, CPMA President, Ron Lemaire and CPMA Chair, Mario Masellis of Catania Worldwide welcome the 2022 CPMA Produce Champion, Scot Davidson, the Member of Parliament (MP) for York-Simcoe. CPMA’s annual Produce Champion award is given to one or...
09.11.2022
Women in Produce
In this episode we feature the recording of a Learning Lounge from our recent Convention and Trade Show in Montréal. Listen now to Moderator Michèle McMillan of Ippolito Fruit and Produce, as she speaks with Julie Trepanier of The Wonderful...
07.14.2022
Supply Chain Disruptions – Retail Perspectives
In this episode, we feature a recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Convention and Trade Show. As we come out of the global pandemic, the disruptions in the supply chain are still a stress on the produce...
06.22.2022
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...
05.19.2022
Future Growth and Change in Produce Production
In today’s episode we feature a recording of a recent CPMA Learning Lounge from our 2022 Convention and Trade Show. Climate change, pesticide management, improving yields and growing in non-traditional areas are just some of the factors that influence how...
02.28.2022
Whole Genome Sequencing
In this episode of Produce Talks, Jeff Hall (CPMA’s Food Safety Specialist) talks to Dr Lawrence Goodridge and Dr Jeffrey Farber, both from the University of Guelph about the history and the technology of Whole Genome Sequencing. Jeff discusses this...
01.14.2022
CPMA Market Annual Report – Mike Mauti
On this episode we are pleased to welcome CPMA’s Sue Lewis and Mike Mauti, Managing Partner of Execulytics Consulting as they discuss the recently released CPMA Canadian Marketplace Annual Report. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Canadian produce...
12.22.2021
Ambassador of Colombia Jorge Londono
In this podcast we welcome Mr. Jorge Londono de la Cuesta who has been the Ambassador of Colombia to Canada since November 2020. Ambassador Londono speaks with CPMA President Ron Lemaire about the economic opportunities in his South American country....
11.17.2021
Produce & Politics: Federal election 2021 and current issues facing the fresh produce supply chain in Canada
This edition of Produce Talks is a recording of our October webinar on the 2021 federal election results and the impact on the fresh produce industry. David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, shares his election analysis and insights, followed by...
10.27.2021
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...
09.30.2021
CPMA Produce Champion 2021 - Senator Rob Black
In this episode, we feature a discussion with the CPMA 2021 Produce Champion, Ontario Senator Rob Black, who is a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. CPMA's annual Produce Champion award is given to one or...
08.23.2021
Sustainability for Produce – A Conversation About the Present & Future
Sustainability has been a focus for the produce industry for many years and is a complex issue with multiple areas of focus. In Canada current areas of focus include the potential of a Canadian index to benchmark Agri-food sustainability, government...
07.26.2021
Emerging Pathogens – A Conversation with Canada’s Experts
Foodborne illnesses continue to bed a source of concern within the fresh produce industry. CPMA asked two of Canada's top food safety professionals to join us in discussing recent outbreaks, the challenges in identifying outbreaks and what the future of...
06.23.2021
Special 100th episode of CPMA podcast: The Produce industry through the lenses of CPMA’s Past Chairs
On this special 100th episode of Produce Talks, Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA moderates a roundtable discussion with our Chair, Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose, and nine past CPMA Chairs including: Davis Yung of Fresh Direct Produce, Oleen Smethurst of...
05.21.2021
Women in Produce 2021
This episode we feature a panel of women in produce and recognize the achievements of women leading the promotion of produce in Canada. Earlier this year, CPMA partnered with Grocery Business Magazine to recognize some of the exceptional women in...
04.30.2021
Growing in Produce: Young Leaders Panel
In this episode, we turn to a panel of young leaders in produce as we continue our focus on the development of young professionals in our sector. This panel webinar was held in February and featured past Mary Fitzgerald Award...
04.06.2021
Moving Produce: Across Borders, Through Ports and Around the Globe
The Suez Canal crisis, COVID-19 implications and ongoing port labour disputes have all showcased that moving product globally day in and day out is an incredible feat. There are implications when one link in a global supply chain breaks and...
02.26.2021
Sustainable Agriculture: Innovations and Alternatives
This episode dives into sustainable agriculture and looks at alternative production practices that we are seeing across Canada. It is estimated that by 2050, the world's population will rise to almost 10 billion people with over 67% expected to live...
01.29.2021
Sustainable Food Systems and the National Index of Agri-Food Performance
As supply chains, investors, and government all push to reduce impacts on the environment, the ability to measure and demonstrate sustainability credentials from farm to retail becomes paramount. On this episode, we widen the lens on sustainability and talk about...
12.18.2020
Growing in Produce
This episode features a panel of young professionals in the produce industry with a lens on the development, recruitment, and retention of young talent in our sector. We look back on 2020 and explore several themes such as resiliency, adaptability,...
11.30.2020
Accelerated Changes and New Normals in Retail
With greater demand and sales on-line, customer experience enhancements, and COVID-19 protocols in place, the retail landscape has changed dramatically in 2020. This episode dives into retail trends and changes with a look ahead to 2021. We look at what...
10.28.2020
And the Winner Is...: Conversations with 2020 Award Winners
On this episode, CPMA President, Ron Lemaire speaks with 2020 CPMA award winners about their careers, key focuses, and the industry changes they have seen and experienced through the years. Ron first talks with the 2020 CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award...
10.14.2020
Unpacking Food Recalls
Food safety has become a more and more prevalent topic for the produce sector and for regulators. This episode focuses on food recalls and the impacts and processes when a foodborne illness outbreak occurs. We specifically unpack the processes behind...
08.31.2020
A 2020 Look at Automation and Technology in Produce
On this episode, we unpack new developments and barriers to automation and technology across the produce sector. As labour gaps remain, the future of automation, robotics and innovation is a large focus from farm to fork. We talk about several...
08.07.2020
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...
06.15.2020
COVID-19: Revisiting Impacts and Key Takeaways
This episode, as we hit the three month mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, we revisit the impacts along the supply chain and unpack the key takeaways since March as businesses continue to adapt and prepare for a busy summer and...
05.29.2020
Sustainable Packaging: Preferences and Parameters
Ensuring food quality, sustaining food availability, reducing waste, minimizing costs to consumers and maximizing recyclability – all while mitigating the impacts on the environment – makes the conversation on sustainable packaging and preferred packaging materials remarkably complex. On this episode,...
04.30.2020
Fairtrade Practices, Certification and Sustainability
This episode, we unpack fairtrade practices as an influential method to sustainability. We spoke with Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit about their approach to sustainability and the Fairtrade certification. We also brought Mimmo Franzone, Director of Produce and Floral with...
03.31.2020
COVID-19: Impacts, Risks and Responses across the Produce Supply Chain
On this episode, we dive into the impacts, responses and anticipated future risks of the COVID-19 outbreak across the entire produce supply chain. We feature interviews with industry leaders Davis Yung of Fresh Direct Produce, Angela Santiago of The Little...
02.28.2020
Dietitians: On the Forefront of Consumer Education
Dietitians are critical in supporting the health and wellness of Canadians. On this episode, we dive into the diverse roles and responsibilities of dietitians and how they impact the eating habits of individuals at the consumer, community, and national level....
01.27.2020
Produce and Politics: Part 2
CPMA hosts a roundtable discussion with political insiders representing the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic parties. We continue the conversation on the political landscape of our new minority government and what it means for Canada’s fresh produce industry, covering issues...
01.16.2020
My Produce Story (LIVE from the CPMA Trade Show Floor)
We're gearing up for the 95th CPMA Convention and Trade Show in May in Toronto and that includes our Learning Lounge sessions on the trade show floor! One of the Learning Lounge sessions that we always love to host is...
12.16.2019
Produce and Politics: Part 1
On this episode, we sit down with David Coletto of Abacus Data to explore the political landscape of our new minority government and what it means for Canada’s fresh produce industry. In the New Year we’ll be back with Part...

What's Produce Talks about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Produce Talks episodes:

Young Professionals – Attracting and Keeping Emerging Leaders

CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight (Part 2)

January 2024 State of the Canadian produce industry

Year-End discussion with David Coletto

Government Proposals for Packaging Regulations

Government Proposals for Packaging Regulations

CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight

CPMA Produce Champion MP Kody Blois

Young Professionals – Growing in Produce

Women in Produce

Between Two Chairs

The Changing Supply Chain – A Buyer’s Perspective

Mentorship and the CPMA Passion for Produce Program

Saving money on food: Insights from the nutrition community

Sustainable Produce Packaging

Young professionals and CPMA's PFP program

Cybersecurity Awareness for the Produce Industry

Produce Champion MP Scot Davidson and Financial Protection Bill Panel

Women in Produce

Supply Chain Disruptions – Retail Perspectives

Between Two Chairs

Future Growth and Change in Produce Production

Whole Genome Sequencing

CPMA Market Annual Report – Mike Mauti

Ambassador of Colombia Jorge Londono

Produce & Politics: Federal election 2021 and current issues facing the fresh produce supply chain in Canada

CPMA Produce Person of the Year – Larry McIntosh

CPMA Produce Champion 2021 - Senator Rob Black

Sustainability for Produce – A Conversation About the Present & Future

Emerging Pathogens – A Conversation with Canada’s Experts

Special 100th episode of CPMA podcast: The Produce industry through the lenses of CPMA’s Past Chairs

Women in Produce 2021

Growing in Produce: Young Leaders Panel

Moving Produce: Across Borders, Through Ports and Around the Globe

Sustainable Agriculture: Innovations and Alternatives

Sustainable Food Systems and the National Index of Agri-Food Performance

Growing in Produce

Accelerated Changes and New Normals in Retail

And the Winner Is...: Conversations with 2020 Award Winners

Unpacking Food Recalls

A 2020 Look at Automation and Technology in Produce

Between Two Chairs 2020

COVID-19: Revisiting Impacts and Key Takeaways

Sustainable Packaging: Preferences and Parameters

Fairtrade Practices, Certification and Sustainability

COVID-19: Impacts, Risks and Responses across the Produce Supply Chain

Dietitians: On the Forefront of Consumer Education

Produce and Politics: Part 2

My Produce Story (LIVE from the CPMA Trade Show Floor)

Produce and Politics: Part 1