The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is advancing a coordinated, sector-led response to food loss and waste (FLW), focused on practical policy, industry collaboration, and targeted investment to unlock environmental and economic value across Canada’s fresh produce supply chain.

“Food loss and waste is one of the most complex challenges facing our sector—but it is also one of the most important opportunities,” says Ron Lemaire, CPMA president. “By working together across industry and government, we can reduce waste, unlock new value, and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s fresh produce industry.”

Through a series of recent initiatives, CPMA is strengthening the evidence base, showcasing industry leadership, and convening stakeholders to better measure, reduce and recover value from FLW.

In April 2026, CPMA released its member-only report, A Systems Analysis of Food Loss and Waste in Canada’s Produce Sector, examining FLW across the supply chain. The report highlights that nearly half of all food produced in Canada is lost or wasted annually, with fresh produce particularly impacted and that approximately 41.7 per cent of that loss is potentially edible and recoverable.

“Too often, food loss and waste is viewed only through an environmental lens,” added Lemaire. “Our work clearly shows it is also a system-wide economic inefficiency—one that affects business performance, food affordability, and the long-term sustainability of our sector.”

The analysis identifies key drivers—including perishability, supply chain complexity, cosmetic standards, and consumer behaviour—and highlights priorities such as standardized measurement, cold chain investment, innovation, and improved policy alignment.

To promote best practices, CPMA has launched its first series of Food Loss and Waste Use Cases, highlighting practical solutions already underway, including surplus management, partnerships with food rescue organizations and processors, logistics and packaging investments, shelf-life extension, and development of alternative markets for surplus and “imperfect” produce.