W
hen I wrote my last message to you earlier this year, I had no idea how the next few months would change. To all our members and associates who own their own businesses, I understand what the last few months have been like for you. The sleepless nights and the constant challenges thrown at us have certainly been very unsettling. For some, the world was put on pause while for others, it put us into overdrive at an alarming rate.
While the meat industry is not resilient to the effects of the pandemic, the determination of those at the wheel has been inspiring to say the least. Called up as essential services, we rose to the challenge. We are so fortunate, here in Ontario, to have a dedicated stream of individuals determined to keep our food chain strong. Farmers, commodity groups, abattoirs, processing & free-standing meat plants, truck drivers, and inspectors have all contributed. Minister Hardeman has also been a driving force. Frequent roundtables and direct calls to MPO to find ways they can assist during these times has helped us communicate the needs of our industry. As we go forward, we go forward together. Reach out to us. A specific need at your plant may be common in others as well. We are all in this together and we have been doing a great job. Ontario is certainly fortunate to have the best meat industry in the country. Thanks to you. Carol Goriup, President
Stay safe, Carol
T
he business world as we know it has changed. It happened the day the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. What we have yet to see is the full impact COVID-19 will have on our economy. Some have already felt the strain, if you primarily dealt with restaurants, you know what I mean. The question now remains, how will other businesses respond, and will our economy continue to function? Our world tomorrow will be much different from yesterday and today.
Online shopping will only get stronger post COVID. Business models will need to be nimbler. Work environments need to be responsive to needs of our teams. We need to think outside the box to solve problems. Working together will make us stronger. These aren’t new concepts, but they will be even more relevant throughout recovery. What are you doing to change and adapt to the current times? There will be those that wait for things to get back to normal, while others will realize this is the new normal and will forge ahead. Those who resist change will find themselves falling behind, and some will not be able to recover. We are fortunate to be a part of an essential industry during this time. There will be difficult times ahead, now is the time for planning, and for getting ready for the new realities. Take a moment to pause and reflect on your processes and ask if you are being efficient with your time and resources. Ask yourself if you are being MORE productive. Think about how you can improve. Finally, if there is one thing we have realized it is the importance of our teams. Thousands of meat and poultry processing workers stepped up to the challenge to go to work every day to ensure our communities could be fed. We can’t thank them Franco Naccarato, enough for answering that call. Executive Director #CNDFoodHeros 4
BlockTalk - Summer 2020
VISION A sustainable, respectful and diverse food system that celebrates the nutritional and economic value of meat and poultry. MISSION We strengthen the meat and poultry industry in Ontario by connecting people, influencing change and empowering our members. MPO LIFETIME MEMBERS • Doris Valade (2019) • Laurie Nicol (2018) • Joe Abate (2017) • Brian Quinn (2016) • Graham Dalziel (2015) • Tony Facciolo (2011) • Pat Johnson (2005)
• Gerry Houtzager (2003) • Leo Rocheleau (2001) • Jim Vidoczy (2000) • Nancy Ackert (1997) • Dr. Ron Usborne (1996) • Ron Deeth (1995)
MPO LONG TIME MEMBERS Thank you to our long time members who have been helping move the industry forward for over 25 years. • Ontario Pork, Guelph (1980) • Gord’s Abattoir, Leamington (1982) • L’Orignal Packing, L’Orignal (1986) • MMIS/MONDO, Aurora (1986) • Nitta Casings, Markham (1986) • Walnut Hill Farms, Gads Hill (1986) • VG Meats, Simcoe (1987) • Rothsay, Dundas (1988) • Stemmler Meat & Cheese, Heidelberg (1988) • Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Burlington (1989) • Jetnet Norstar, Toronto (1989) • Schinkels’ Gourmet Meats, Chatham (1989) • Springer’s Meats, Hamilton (1989)
• Barron Poultry, Amherstburg (1991) • Brenner Packers, Windsor (1991) • Norwich Packers, Norwich (1991) • Weston Abattoir, Maidstone (1991) • Handtmann Canada, Waterloo (1992) • Hay’s Custom Cutting, Campbellford (1992) • Hoffman Meats & European Deli, Stayner (1992) • Newmarket Meat Packers, Newmarket (1992) • WIBERG Corporation, Oakville (1992) • Schinkel’s Legacy, Chatam (1993) • Windcrest Meat Packers, Port Perry (1994) • Malabar Super Spice, Burlington (1994)
MEAT INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT (MIA) AWARD RECIPIENTS • Hayter’s Farm, Dashwood (2016) • Schinkel’s Legacy, Chatham (2014) • Conestoga Meat Packers, Breslau (2013) • In Memory of Dave Tiller (2012) • Halenda’s Fine Foods, Oshawa (2011)
• Springer’s Meats, Hamilton (2010) • VG Meats, Simcoe (2009) • Stemmler’s Meat & Cheese, Heidelberg (2008) • Leo Rocheleau, Maidstone (2007)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER RECOGNITION AWARD (AMRA) RECIPIENTS Reiser Canada, Burlington (2019) VC999, Saint-Germain-deGrantham (2018)
Handtmann Canada, Waterloo (2017) Malabar Super Spice, Burlington (2016)
www.meatpoultryon.ca
