A Century of Growth: CPMA’s 100-Year Journey

Founded in 1925, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) emerged from the need for a unified voice to represent the diverse sectors of Canada’s produce industry.

Industry leaders came together with a clear goal: to create a platform for collaboration that would tackle shared challenges. In its early years, CPMA worked to establish standards for produce quality and safety — efforts that built trust between producers and consumers and laid the foundation for a flourishing industry.

Advocacy has been a cornerstone of CPMA’s work. One of its earliest wins in the 1940s led to fair pricing regulations that protected growers and stabilized the market. In more recent decades, CPMA has played a crucial role in securing favorable terms for Canadian produce in international trade agreements and addressing labor shortages through supportive policies for domestic and migrant workers.

By the 1950s, CPMA’s influence expanded across Canada and internationally. It began addressing broader issues like market access and international trade, solidifying its reputation as a trusted leader in the industry.

As the produce industry evolved, so did CPMA’s priorities. From the 1980s onward, the association championed numerous innovations in food safety and sustainability, establishing global standards for produce handling and distribution. The first national food safety program launched by CPMA set new benchmarks, improving consumer confidence and influencing international standards.

A milestone in CPMA’s advocacy history was the launch of the Half Your Plate campaign in 2014, which successfully encouraged Canadians to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption — a significant achievement in both public health and industry support.

In 2018, sustainability became a central focus. CPMA’s advocacy for recyclable and biodegradable packaging, alongside efforts to reduce agricultural waste, demonstrated that environmental responsibility could align with economic growth.

In 2024, CPMA achieved a landmark advocacy win with the adoption of Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act. This legislation provides financial protection to Canada’s produce growers and sellers in cases of buyer insolvency, aligning Canada with similar protections in the U.S.

CPMA has been a key leader in the development of the new Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct, which will launch in 2025. This tool will provide better market stability and contractual certainty to all sellers within the food industry.

“Looking to the future, CPMA remains committed to fostering collaboration and navigating the evolving challenges of the produce industry,” says Ron Lemaire, president, CPMA. “With a forward-thinking vision and a strong community, CPMA is poised to continue driving progress in the next century and beyond. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will build on this rich legacy and shape the future of Canada’s produce industry.”