The Scotlynn Group has been investigating alternative sales channels for its products, testing some items in a number of new locations. This year, the company will be selling pumpkins at several Ontario Canadian Tire stores, using a guaranteed sales program for the first time.

Noting the company has always focused on retail and foodservice, Scotlynn Value Chain, Inc. Executive Vice President Savvas Tsoukalas pointed out that the modern retail landscape is changing, as businesses broaden the range of items being offered.

According to company President Fred Koornneef, Koornneef Produce continues to enjoy steady growth in 2014. He named spreading knowledge of the business and a new complete packing line as key factors driving that growth.

The company specializes in greenhouse vegetables and local tender fruit. The packing line packages mini-cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers under the Koornneef and private label brands. Koornneef Produce has also added some well-received new products this summer.

Brampton-based WaudWare is celebrating 25 years of steady growth in the software development field. The company has two flagship products focused on the produce industry: Produce Industry Control System and Produce Industry Control System for the Web. The comprehensive software offers everything necessary to run a business and is particularly adept at handling traceability and case labeling requirements. According to company President F. Charles Waud, that expertise is paying off for the business.

Ontario Produce Marketing Association has had a busy year engaging with regulatory issues, diversifying its Produce Made Simple website, delivering Quality Assurance Training seminars and collaborating with other regional associations on its “New Fast Food” posters. All the activity paid off as the association’s membership grew again in 2014.

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers recently announced that Halton Healthcare Services/Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital site received the first OGVG Local Food Week award.

HHS is a multi-site healthcare organization and is comprised of three hospitals serving the communities of Milton, Oakville, Clarkson and Halton Hills in Ontario, Canada.  

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association held its semi-annual board meeting in Ottawa in mid-September, allowing participants to take a strategic look at where the organization is in terms of its current five-year plan and look ahead to the 2020 plan.

The event took place over three days and yielded some interesting results, including a change to the convention format.