News

Montreal, August 24, 2023 – The 76th Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) convention was held from August 17 to 19 at the majestic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. “Feeding Innovation,” this year’s theme, featured prominently in the event’s conferences and networking activities, where our members’ usual energy, resilience and creativity shone brightly during the exchanges and discussions.

The 536 convention participants were warmly welcomed by the 2023 QPMA Board of Directors Chairman Chris Sarantis (Canadawide) and his wife Pota Bountounis, and Conference Chairman Christian Riopel (Sobeys Québec) and his wife Nancy Potvin, and the event more than lived up to their expectations.

Annual General Meeting: Two new directors and many achievements

Two newly elected directors were announced at the Annual General Meeting: Danny Boileau, Production Manager (Jean-Yves Boileau et fils), representing the Grower-PackerProcessor-Shipper sector, and Domenico Procopio, Purchasing Manager (Courchesne Larose), representing the Wholesaler-Importer-Exporter sector.

During the meeting, Elke Steinwender of Maïeutyk presented the Association’s 2023- 2026 Strategic Plan, which sets the direction and priorities for the coming years. The members were enthusiastic about the plan and shared their determination and ideas to help make it a reality, clear evidence of the produce sector’s strength and commitment! One of the four main directions outlined in the QPMA’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan is to “assert the QPMA as the voice of Quebec’s produce industry”, even more strongly than before, during a year that’s been difficult for producers in fields, orchards, and greenhouses and for the entire fruit and vegetable distribution chain as a result of the impacts of climate change. Two topical presentations on the outlook for water management in Quebec and the United States were given, the first by Isabelle Charest of Groupe Agéco and the second by Chris Drew of Ocean Mist Farms. Read more