Praised by her peers as the kind of person who is relied on to get things done, Oleen Smethurst is The Packer’s 2020 Canadian Produce Person of the Year.
Smethurst, assistant vice president and general merchandise manager for Costco Wholesale Canada, received the award in an Oct. 22 video call.
The Packer has been presenting the award to outstanding members of the Canadian produce industry for 47 years.
Tom Karst, editor of The Packer, said Smethurst was nominated because of her role in sustainability and innovation in the produce industry’s packaging initiatives.
Smethurst also insists on flavor in new product development for Costco, said Mike Orsini, president of Montreal-based Bercy Foods Inc., which is affiliated with the Courchesne Larose Group.
“Hats off to her!! She truly deserves great recognition in the produce industry,” he said.
Smethurst has worked for Costco for 29 years and has been a part of the produce industry since 2006.
She was on the board of directors of the Produce Marketing Association from 2013-16 and was part of the PMA Global Development Committee from 2011-19.
Smethurst was chairwoman of Canadian Produce Marketing Association in 2019-20, and serves on several working groups and committees.
“Words that are used to describe her include tenacious, relentless and inquisitive,” Karst said in his presentation.
Colin Chapdelaine, president of BC Hot House, said Smethurst is always in search of the “why.”
“She is an innovator — whether it be introducing unique items, perfecting existing ones, or constantly looking to improve sustainability,” Chapdelaine said, noting that she was an early backer of top-seal packaging in Canada, which reduces clamshell waste by close to 30%.
“Leaving no stone unturned is an understatement with Oleen,” he said. “She trials and tastes and compares products from around the world, to understand how things should grow properly and what the challenges are, and then effectively implements them.”
Les Mallard, last year’s recipient of the award and Fyffes North America vice president of sales, praised Smethurst for her consistency and leadership skills. “She knows who she is and it shows through in every aspect of what she does.”
Davis Yung, president and co-founder of Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. and current CPMA chairman, said Smethurst has been impressive during the tough times for the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“She is hardworking, intelligent, visionary but yet very pragmatic,” he said. “She is just the kind of person you rely on to make things happen.”
Yung said that Smethurst played a big role in bringing Canadian retailers and other stakeholders to the table to discuss packaging priorities for the industry.
CPMA: Better communication needed between CFIA and FDA
