KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Seeing your hard work come to life is an award in and of itself, but it always makes a person feel good to know that their achievements are recognized industry-wide. Paul Mastronardi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastronardi Produce^®/SUNSET^® received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) 31^st Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony.

“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,” Paul Mastronardi remarked. “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.”

This prestigious award, a press release explained, 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.

Joe Sbrocchi, former Executive Director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, during which he highlighted some of the major milestones in Paul Mastronardi’s career. Sbrocchi reminded the audience of Mastronardi’s marketing prowess, as the press release states, “having introduced one of the first branded tomatoes in the market—the award-winning Campari® cocktail tomato.”

He touched on the plethora of marketing accomplishments to follow, all of which paved the way for other marketing achievements across the industry.

Sbrocchi also described Mastronardi’s hard work and innovative spirit.

As the press release went on to explain, “having launched the produce industry’s first 100 percent traceability program, becoming the first fresh produce company to receive Non-GMO Project verification, and pioneering high-tech greenhouse strawberry growing back in 2003.”

Paul Mastronardi thanked his family and larger family of Flavor Nation employees across the Mastronardi Produce brands, emphasizing his inspiration from the collective efforts of the produce industry. For the rest of his career, he pledged to continue advocating for the industry.

Notably, the 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 remarked at the ceremony. “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.”

Here’s to making a difference! We congratulate Paul Mastronardi on this incredible achievement and look forward to what’s to come.

Mastronardi Produce®/SUNSET®