Produce Talks
Business & Finance
About
Produce Talks is the monthly CPMA podcast. The podcast is available through the CPMA website and iTunes, with member exclusive content reserved for the CPMA member community. Each month we explore issues and developments in the produce industry by connecting with our members and a network of experts.
Episodes
- How Design Thinking is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Produce Packaging
In this episode of CPMA Produce Talks, host Daniel Duguay, Senior Director, Sustainability at CPMA, speaks with Edmund Chin, Managing Director and Co-founder of Lucid Corp, about how design thinking is transforming the way innovative packa…
- Latest trends in produce consumption
In this episode, Sue Lewis, Vice President of Marketing at CPMA, and Registered Dietitian, Veronica Rouse, discuss the key role fruits and vegetables play in enhancing overall health. Key highlights include: • The biggest barriers to eatin…
- Innovation in produce industry
The fresh produce supply chain has always been driven by innovation. Whether an organization is involved in primary production, wholesale, retail, big or small, innovation is at the heart of competitiveness as all strive to provide the con…
- Canadian consumer trends in produce shopping
In this episode, CPMA VP of marketing & events, Sue Lewis, talks with Mike Mauti of Execulytics Consulting about the Canadian shopper. Building on years data gleaned from monthly consumer surveys, Mike looks at the shopping habits of Canad…
- Reflecting on 2025 and key insights for a stronger 2026 produce industry
In this episode, Ron Lemaire, president of CPMA, and David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, break down the biggest forces that have shaped Canada’s fresh produce industry in 2025. From shifting consumer habits to global trade impacts, the two…
- Beyond waste reduction - Redefining sustainable packaging
If there is one topic that has dominated the sustainability conversation in our industry, it is packaging. But as we look toward 2026, the conversation is evolving from simple reduction to a complex balance of functionality, food safety, a…
- From burden to advantage: Rethinking sustainability reporting and assurance
Is increasing "audit fatigue" stifling genuine environmental progress? In this episode, we tackle the sustainability reporting paradox with John Mesko, CEO of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, Wyatt Maysey, Director of Sustainability, Ta…
- My Produce Story - Sustainability: A Lifelong Pursuit
In this episode of Produce Talks podcast, CPMA’s Dan Duguay sits down with Justine Taylor, chief sustainability officer (CSO) of Topline Farms to discuss her career journey, the evolution of her role, and the leading challenges CSOs face t…
- Growing Your Career in Produce: Insights from the Passion for Produce Program Alumni
In this episode, Jennifer Ong Tone , Manager of Health & Education at CPMA sits down with three alumni of CPMA’s Passion for Produce (PFP) Program – Biagio Fonicolo , Senior Buyer at Canadawide Fruits, Janis Deschênes , Sales Manager (Reta…
- Advocacy for fresh produce
In this episode of Produce Talks, Shannon Sommerauer , CPMA Senior Director of Government Relations & Industry Technology is joined by George Pitsikoulis , CPMA past Chair and President and CEO of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc., Adri de…
- Between Two Chairs: Navigating Change in Canada’s Produce Sector
CPMA President Ron Lemaire sits down with CPMA Chair Steve Bamford, CEO of Fresh Advancements, Bamford Produce, and Freshline Foods, and past CPMA Chair George Pitsikoulis, President and CEO of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc. The three t…
- Something Fresh: A New Season of Produce Talks
Produce Talks, brought to you by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, is back with shorter, more frequent episodes packed with what’s new in the produce industry. This season features a special sustainability series on food waste, p…
- Produce and Politics – What does the new federal government mean for fresh produce in Canada?
In an ever-shifting geopolitical environment, Canada has elected a minority government with many new faces on Parliament Hill. In this episode, CPMA President Ron Lemaire is joined by David Coletto , founder, Chair and CEO of Abacus Data.…
- State of Trade: A New Era of International Trade
At the CPMA Annual Convention Ron Lemaire , CPMA and John Stackhouse from RBC held a fireside chat to explore the current state of the North American agri-food and produce market. They delve into key issues such as macroeconomic trends aff…
- CPMA Produce Champion Lianne Rood
CPMA President Ron Lemaire is very pleased to introduce MP Lianne Rood as CPMA’s 2024 Produce Champion. Lianne is the Member of Parliament for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex in Ontario. Joining the conversation are CPMA Board Members, Steve Bamfor…
- Supply Chain Innovation and Sustainability: Iceless Broccoli
In this episode of Produce Talks, Dan Duguay, CPMA’s Sustainability Specialist, leads a discussion with Tom Pierce of Sobeys and Matt Aronson of Verdant Technologies. In an effort to improve sustainability in the supply chain for broccoli,…
- Consumers and the Retail Perspective
In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Colin Chapdelaine of Whole Leaf, leads a discussion with 4 representatives from…
- Women in Produce - Mentorship
In this episode of Produce Talks, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Jessica Levac of Bellemont Powell leads a discussion with 4 other women as they…
- Young Professionals – Attracting and Keeping Emerging Leaders
In this episode, we listen to the recording of a Learning Lounge from the recent CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver. Moderator Kevin Sorichetti of EarthFresh Foods leads a discussion with Passion for Produce Alumni who sp…
- CPMA Innovation Zone Company Spotlight (Part 2)
Industry innovation is a key area of focus for CPMA. Over the years, CPMA has offered its members the opportunity to share their innovation efforts and facilitated connections to new innovators in the produce industry. In this episode, we…
- January 2024 State of the Canadian produce industry
In this episode, Jane Proctor , CPMA’s Vice President of Policy & Issue Management leads a discussion with CPMA Chair, Colin Chapdelaine , Brian Faulkner of BCfresh and Sue Lewis , CPMA’s Vice President of Market Development on the state o…
- Year-End discussion with David Coletto
Ron Lemaire President of CPMA leads a Year in Review discussion with David Coletto . David is the Chair and CEO of Abacus Data, a Canadian market and public opinion research agency. Ron and David give an overview of what Canadians think of…
- 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…
- 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 De…
- 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…
- 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 abou…
- 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 fem…
- 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…
- 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, w…
- 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 W…
- 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 st…
- 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 indust…
- 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 prog…
- 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 pro…
- 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…
- 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 Wonderfu…
- 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 industry. Listen to s…
- 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 challe…
- 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 th…
- 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 dis…
- 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 over…
- 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 Americ…
- 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 b…
- 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 abo…
- 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…
- 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,…
- 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…
- 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, Ole…
- 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 w…
- 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 Winners Mike…