The industry has enthusiastically reunited at the 96th annual Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show at the Palais Des Congres in Montreal. The event, which runs April 5-7, is underway with a full roster of business and educational sessions, networking opportunities and a robust trade show floor.
“Comfort is the enemy of progress,” CPMA President Ron Lemaire said, quoting PT Barnum, as he addressed attendees at the USA Pears-sponsored delegate luncheon on April 6. While the pandemic created a great deal of discomfort, it also sparked opportunities for growth.
“The pandemic made us think and do things differently,” Lemaire said. Confronted with COVID-19-related regulatory issues, massive supply chain disruption and labor shortages, as well as environmental challenges and skyrocketing production costs, the last several years have taught the industry that it cannot only change, but change quickly, he noted.
Despite the many challenges in getting product to the shelf, “we’re still doing what we do best — putting food on the table in Canada,” Lemaire said.
Moving forward, Lemaire asked the audience: “What can we do as an industry to drive change?”
Rising food inflation is necessitating change as consumers look to cut costs by putting less fruits and vegetables in their baskets. Lemaire urged the industry to address the decline in consumption.
Lemaire also highlighted some of the change CPMA is hoping to create through its surplus food rescue work with Second Harvest. The organizations have collaborated to examine supply chain efficiencies to redirect food that is going to waste to Canadians in need.
Other opportunities for change and growth may be found in the top consumer trends for 2022 as reported by Euromonitor, said Lemaire. Appealing to the “backup-plan shopper,” who stocked up on everything from toilet paper to frozen vegetables earlier in the pandemic; leveraging rural urbanites who’ve left cities and moved to the country; sustainability; and environmental social governance can be springboards for change.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are also critically important to the industry. “Our industry needs to do a better job of opening doors,” Lemaire said.
