On May 10, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) held a successful advocacy event, Farm to Plate 2022, in Ottawa.

This year, 27 produce industry representatives from across Canada met with decision-makers in Ottawa to discuss key areas of concern, including:

-  Establishing a financial protection mechanism for produce growers and sellers;

-  Prioritizing access to food;

-  Promoting supply chain resiliency and competitiveness;

-  Supporting a sustainable fresh produce sector

“We were pleased to have the opportunity to return to Parliament Hill to share our industry’s priorities with federal leaders,” says Mario Masellis, CPMA chair. “The produce industry plays a critical role in driving the Canadian economy and providing Canadians with a steady supply of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. The challenges we have recently experienced have shown consumers both the resiliency and the fragility of their produce supply chain. We are looking forward to working with government officials to address issues that impact our industry and threaten food security in Canada.”

“On behalf of Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, I want to thank our industry representatives., the parliamentarians and government officials who participated in Farm to Plate 2022, for collaboratively addressing the issues facing not only our sector but our national food supply,” says Jan VanderHout, FVGC president. “Farm to Plate demonstrates the importance of industry and government working together. We are encouraged by our discussions and the ideas shared at the event.”

Event participants met with 28 Parliamentarians and officials from all four major political parties, including the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; the Honourable Senator Rob Black, CPMA 2021 Produce Champion and Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry; and Kody Blois, Member of Parliament and Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.

Source: Canadian Produce Marketing Association May 13, 2022 news release