As part of its outreach work, the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC) is strengthening its engagement with fruit and vegetable primary producer associations. Stephanie Blondin, deputy director of OGSCC, will be leading this work, with a focus on better understanding the systemic issues faced by fruit and vegetable growers in their interactions with retailers and ensuring that these realities are reflected in the OGSCC’s oversight and guidance activities.

The OGSCC continues to encourage fruit and vegetable primary producers who sell directly to retailers to become Members of the Code, as membership provides access to OGSCC resources and the Code’s dispute resolution processes. Engagement with associations complements this direct relationship with Members by helping the OGSCC better understand systemic issues affecting growers.

As a first step, the OGSCC has reached out to fruit and vegetable grower associations to share a document outlining possible options to establish regular lines of communication and create opportunities for structured input on Code-related issues. The OGSCC will convene a group discussion with interested fruit and vegetable grower associations in February 2026 to explore these options and discuss next steps.

This work complements the OGSCC’s ongoing engagement with associations across the sector. Associations play an important role in supporting their members and in identifying systemic issues related to the application of the Code, and the OGSCC welcomes ongoing dialogue with associations on these types of issues.

The OGSCC is always open to engaging with associations that represent groups eligible under the Grocery Code. Associations interested in connecting with our team or learning more about how we support sector‑wide engagement are invited to contact us at info@canadacode.org.

Source:  Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct January 2026 Bulletin