MONTREAL, QC - What baseball and apple pie is to Americans, hockey is to Canada. In a country that includes such widely diverse regions, demographics, and cultures, the much-revered sport has become a powerful, unifying force.

That’s why nothing is more fitting to bring the country’s retailers and the produce industry’s finest together than CPMA’s “Half Your Plate” Hockey Classic.

This inaugural hockey event will take place at Concordia University in Montréal as part of this year’s CPMA events, with the goal of bringing awareness and excitement to the “Half Your Plate” message of healthy eating. And with the inclusion of athleticism, quintessential Canadiana, and friendly rivalry to the CPMA, it’s also the ideal way for Canadians in the produce industry to practice what they preach! 

In the spirit of the “Half Your Plate” campaign, the idea is to show how easy and fun it is to be healthy – this game is not just for hockey fanatics who play on a regular basis. In fact, anyone who can stand up on skates and knows the difference between a puck and a water bottle is invited to join! Each team must include at least one female player, and general irreverence is encouraged. 

The 2015 event is being brought to the ice with the support of retailers like Sobeys, Metro, Longo’s, and Federated Co-operatives, along with the sponsorship of additional industry partners like Canadawide Fruits, IFCO, organicgirl, Keenan Farms and Mike & Mike’s Organics. 

How It Works: 

For each year of the Hockey Classic, one team will be composed of the hosting association’s finest, and the opposing team will be made up of CPMA participants all across Canada. All players receive a commemorative team jersey and the winning team gets a trophy, and even more importantly: an entire year’s worth of bragging rights! This year, the hosting association is the Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA), with the challenge going out to Calgary for 2016. 

According to a press release, for a player to be eligible, he/she must be employed by a company that is a member in good standing with the CPMA (and the regional association) and preferably be Canadian. All sectors of the produce industry can get out there and chase the puck in support of “Half Your Plate”.

The organization tells me they still have space for anyone wishing to play and have already started the ‘trash talking’ to add the element of camaraderie to the event.

The puck will drop at 5:30pm on April 15, 2015 at Concordia University, Loyola Campus RA (Athletic Complex), 7200 Sherbrooke St. West, Montréal.

And remember: spectators are welcome - the more boisterous the audience, the better!

Team Member positions are also still available! For more information contact Todd Patterson at [email protected].

CPMA