Canadian Produce Marketing Association and Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada Conclude Fall Harvest Event; Colin Chapdelaine and Jan VanderHout Share

Monday, Nov. 27th, 2023

by Jenna Plasterer

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - The Canadian fresh produce industry recently engaged with members of Parliament at the advocacy event Fall Harvest. The event is a joint effort by the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA).

Colin Chapdelaine, Chair, Canadian Produce Marketing Association "The fresh produce supply chain is not only an integral cornerstone of the Canadian economy, but a vital force contributing nearly $15 billion to our GDP and supporting over 185,400 jobs. The discussions held here focus on providing Canadians with nutritious fruits and vegetables, improving overall health, and propelling our nation's economy forward,” remarked Colin Chapdelaine, Chair of CPMA. “An all-encompassing examination of policies and regulations with a focus on reducing regulatory burden is not solely an industry necessity, but an absolute national imperative."

According to a press release, this year’s event focused on several key areas:

Competitiveness and Cumulative Regulatory Burden
Advancing Bill C-280
Sustainable Packaging Initiatives

The Canadian fresh produce industry recently engaged with members of Parliament at the advocacy event Fall Harvest

During Fall Harvest, FVGC and CPMA members were pleased to meet with key representatives from all four major political parties. As part of the advocacy effort, FVGC and CPMA hosted a reception for Parliamentarians and their staff which attracted approximately 200 attendees. The event was attended by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who spoke about the significance of the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.

Jan VanderHout, President, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada “As we confront the challenges of rising operational costs and environmental pressures, it's clear that a sustainable fresh fruit and vegetable sector is essential to Canada’s health and food security. At Fall Harvest, we've highlighted the importance of regulatory review, financial protection measures, and the critical role that the fresh produce industry must play in shaping new sustainable packaging regulations,” added Jan VanderHout, President of FVGC. “Our meetings these past few days have been dedicated to helping Parliamentarians and the government build a resilient fruit and vegetable sector that can thrive amid challenges, striving to ensure that we can continue to grow and distribute the nourishing produce that Canadians depend upon.”