The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has announced Sam Silvestro as the recipient of the 2023 CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to the fresh produce industry.

A veteran of the produce industry for 40 years, Silvestro is currently an executive consultant for national brands and has previously held senior roles at Sobeys and Walmart Canada, including special projects manager, director of produce, and director of merchandising.

He has been involved in a number of government committees on food safety and import and export of food products and also served on several boards including CPMA and Ontario Produce Marketing Association.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Sam on the CPMA Board and experienced, firsthand, his passion and dedicationto advance our industry,” says Ron Lemaire, CPMA president. “As CPMA’s chair in 2016- 2017, Sam helped the Association to develop new educational tools for our members and created a role dedicated to identifying food safetyknowledge gaps within the industry. He also helped us launch the fruit and vegetable policy statement to increase Canadians’ fresh produce consumption.”

Silvestro will be presented with the award alongside other industry members and businesses on Thursday, April 27 at CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.

Source:  Canadian Produce Marketing Association April 12, 2023 news release