NEWSMAKERS

Alberta’s premier Danielle Smith announced her new cabinet on June 9, appointing the former minister of agriculture and irrigation, Nate Horner (Drumheller-Stettler) to the role of minister of finance and president of Alberta Treasury Board. His successor is RJ Sigurdson (Highwood). He grew up working on a 40-acre family farm north of Cochrane. He’ll be at the table for the federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting to be held July 18-19 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Caleigh Hallink-Irwin, crop protection manager, is leaving the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada after five years with the Ottawa-based organization. She is moving to CropLife Canada as director of regulatory affairs.

The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) announces the appointment of two new board members at its Annual General Meeting held on June 7, 2023. They are Daniel Baldin from Longo’s and Steve Roberts from Vineland Growers’ Cooperative, both of whom will serve three-year terms until 2026.

Michael Graydon, CEO of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, has been elected to the board of directors of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. Its signature event, Public Trust Summit, is planned for October 17, 2023.

Fire destroyed a storage warehouse and six storage trailers at Wellington Produce Packaging, Mount Forest, Ontario at 3 am, Sunday, June 4. Adam Hincks, sales and purchasing, reports the main manufacturing facility was unaffected. Operations and product availability are continuing as normal, with a vow to rebuild.

Second Harvest has hired Graham Hill as vice president of strategic affairs. He joins the company from Ontario-based food rescue organization Food For Life Canada, where he served as executive director. His role will be to identify opportunities and leading initiatives that prioritize sustainability and growth strategy.

BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions has appointed Bill Baxter as director of sales effective July 1, 2023. He was most recently director of commercial excellence for BASF Agricultural Products North America. Baxter will be stationed in Calgary, Alberta.

The British Columbia Greenhouse Growers’ Association elected its 2023 board of directors on June 8. Armand Vander Meulen, president and chair, Eric Schlacht, vice-president and Ray VanMarrewyk, treasurer, are supported by the following directors: Jos Moerman, Ravi Cheema and Ruben Houweling

The Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) recently held its annual meeting in Whistler, BC. The elected Board of Directors and President and Chief Executive Officer Luc Mougeot set policy, by-laws and trading standards. The Board consists of the President of DRC and 14 directors. Bret Erickson, J & D Produce is chair supported by George Pitsikoulis, Canadawide Fruit Wholsalers Inc as vice-chair and Gerardo Mena Prieto, Frutas San Antonio S.A. de C.V. as vice-chair. Directors are: Anthony Martin, financial executive; Felipe Silva, ZURGROUP S.A.; Frank Spagnuolo, Loblaws Inc.; Gonzalo Aguilar Guizar, Grupo Empaque Rogui S.A. de C.V.; Julian Sarraino, Fresh Taste Produce Limited; Mike Stuart, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Patrice Marchand, Metro Richelieu Inc.; Pierre Dolbec, Veg Pro International Inc.; Robert Guenther, United Fresh Produce Association; Canadian Food Inspection Agency; SAGARPA; USDA.

Hearty congratulations to Jane Proctor who is celebrating 25 years with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. She is vicepresident, policy and issue management, based in Ottawa.