CPMA announced the election of its new board of directors at the Annual General Meeting, which serves to update members on CPMA’s activities and reiterate strategic goals. Both CPMA Past Chair Bernadette Hamel and Ron Lemaire, president, provided reports outlining the past activities and future plans of the association. Members are given the opportunity to engage with CPMA leadership to ask questions and hear about association activities.

The new members of the board of directors are Mike Furi, chair, of the Grocery People Ltd.; Past Chair Bernadette Hamel of Metro Richelieu Inc.; First Vice Chair Sam Silvestro of Walmart Canada Corp.; Second Vice Chair Rick Alcocer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc.; and Executive Committee Member Les Mallard of Chiquita Brands North America.

“It’s been an honor to lead the CPMA as they entered into their 90th year serving the produce industry in Canada," said Hamel. "The dedication and ongoing support of the board of directors is a true testament to the collaborative nature of our industry. It was exciting to see the launch of the Half Your Plate Campaign during my term and I truly believe that this initiative will inspire Canadians to make healthier choices while increasing industry prosperity.”

“I look forward to leading the CPMA over the next year," Furi said. "During my term as chair I plan to work with industry to enhance our advocacy efforts to reduce barriers to trade and deliver on programs to improve our industry knowledge and education."

“Having alternating directors is very beneficial to CPMA," Lemaire said. "While we have continuity with our staff, we benefit from the changing perspectives of the different industry professionals on our board. The board has worked tirelessly to assist us with our governance renewal process and we’d like to thank them for their continued dedication to the industry. As we enter into our 91st year, we look forward to continuing our legacy as the voice of the produce industry in Canada."

CPMA board members are Murray Driediger of BC Fresh Vegetables Inc.; George Pitsikoulis of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc.; Byron Bellows of Colemans Food Centres; Jean-Guy Mazerolle of Co-op Atlantic; Oleen Smethurst of Costco Wholesale Canada; Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose Ltee; Stephan Schmekel of Del Monte Fresh Produce Canada Inc.; Davis Yung of Fresh Direct Produce Ltd.; Joel Ippolito of Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd.; David Dube of Krown Produce; Eric Biddiscombe of Loblaw Cos.; Mimmo Franzone of Longo Bros. Fruit Markets Inc.; Mario Masellis of M.L. Catania Co. Ltd.; Tim York of Markon Cooperative Inc.; Joe Sbrocchi of Mastronardi Produce Ltd.; Andrea Palmer of Nova Agri Inc.; Kendra Mills of PEI Potato Board; Michele McMillan of Sobeys National Procurement; Colin Chapdelaine of Star Produce Ltd.; Brian Slagel of Sunkist Growers Inc.; John Corsaro of The Giumarra Cos.; Steve Young of The Oppenheimer Group; Brian Hampton of The Produce People Ltd.; Scott Fairbairn of Thrifty Foods (Jace Holdings); Gerry Van Winden of Veg Pro International Inc.; and Mike Ecker of Vineland Growers' Co-operative Ltd.