Greenhouse pioneer Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO of Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Produce Marketing Association.
The award, which recognizes an individual that has “demonstrated tireless efforts over many years to improve the quality and distribution of fruits and vegetables marketed within and outside Ontario through innovation, cooperation and hard work,” was presented at the OPMA’s 31st Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony on Nov. 18.
“This award is an incredible honor for me and my family. I am sincerely humbled to be among the ranks of past recipients of this award, including my father Don,” Mastronardi said in a news release. “I was born into this industry and had the great fortune of learning from the legacy of three generations before me. I feel a great sense of pride and privilege to carry that on.”
Joe Sbrocchi, former executive director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, presented the award at the gala and award ceremony held at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre in Ontario.
Sbrocchi highlighted some major milestones in Mastronardi’s career, including having introduced the Campari cocktail tomato and many other marketing accomplishments that were “game-changing for the industry,” according to the release.
He also described Mastronardi’s hard work and innovative spirit, having launched the produce industry’s first 100% traceability program, becoming the first fresh produce company to receive Non-GMO Project verification, and pioneering high-tech greenhouse strawberry growing in 2003.
Minister of Agriculture Lisa Thompson attended the event to honor this year’s OPMA award recipients.
“Congratulations to all of the award recipients this year. I appreciate your hard work and dedication in marketing nutritious Ontario produce,” Thompson said in the release. “Ontarians are looking for and choosing fresh fruits and vegetables grown right here at home. Your marketing efforts are making a difference in creating a greater awareness of Ontario produce and are also driving a sense of pride in our provincial agri-food industry.”
Mastronardi thanked his family and employees across the Mastronardi Produce brands. He emphasized his inspiration from the collective efforts of the produce industry and pledged to continue advocating for the industry for many more years, according to the release.
