Latest Industry News

• OPMA 2021 Golf Tournament Tickets Now On Sale

  The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) will be hosting its 26th Annual Golf Tournament on September 15, 2021, at the Lionhead Golf and Country Club in Brampton. There will be a few changes due to pandemic recovery restrictions. Instead of a shot gun start, all groups of four will start from the first tee at their allocated tee-off time and then play through to the 18th hole. The two courses available are “The Masters” course and “The Legends” course that is slightly more challenging. Features of this year’s golf tournament include a hole in one competition, longest drive competition, closest to the pin competition, putting contest, air cannon, and live scoring and leaderboard through the Golf Genius app. Prizes will be announced the next day. Ticket prices are: Single ticket: $250.00 plus HST Foursome ticket: $900.00 plus HST Lunch only (non-golfers): $30.00 plus HST Each ticket includes: One round of golf Pre-packed breakfast / brunch plus water or juice Lunch / early dinner on the patio with one drink Golf shirt, goodie bag, and hand sanitizer Prizes for competitions The OPMA will have all safety precautions in place and we will continue to monitor public health guidance. Purchase tickets online to attend the largest produce industry golf tournament in Ontario.   For more information, please contact: Rochelle Roye Marketing and Communications Manager The Ontario Produce Marketing Association Email: rochelle@theopma.ca

• North American Produce Industry Sounds Warning Bell re Pallet Shortages Putting the Supply of Fresh Produce at Risk

  May 2021 Although conversations are occurring within the North American (and global) industry relative to the current acute pallet shortages, we believe that many do not yet realize the factors impacting the situation and the potential scope of the issue, including the availability of produce to consumers. A multitude of issues are impacting pallet availability including: Efforts of wholesalers, distributors and retailers to ensure sufficient inventory of non-perishables given previous pandemic-related impacts. The availability of lumber to repair and build new pallets. The escalating price of lumber when it is available. Non-perishable inventory dwell time increase. Lack of available trucks to relocate pallets. The lack of pallets is adding stress to a supply chain that is already facing significant challenges which include a lack of available trucks and shipping containers, ongoing labour challenges, fluctuating fuel costs, pandemic-related challenges and a pending shortage of resin used to make reusable containers and pallets.  At this time expectations are that the pallet shortage will continue for months, perhaps for the balance of 2021 – all at a time when many North American produce items are just beginning seasonal harvests and shipments. To give a sample of the scope of the issue, we’ve compiled the following information: The shortage of lumber and wood products has increased the cost of raw lumber 200% to 350% and is making the cost of wood pallets increase incrementally. In one example, it was noted that over the past few weeks, pallet costs have increased more than 400%, IF the pallets are even available, and often they are not. One farmer was told by one pallet supplier that they are not taking any new customers due to an inability to fill even existing customer demand. Companies are forced to bring pallets from other jurisdictions thereby incurring border and transportation costs. Pallets are being held in-house due to delayed and cancelled orders from pallet services, leading to higher storage charges and increased congestion within operations. Working together, the supply chain must balance organizational goals relative to overall availability of goods with availability of food.  If there is not a concerted effort across the supply chain to ensure pallet availability for shipment of produce, there is little doubt that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for the grower/shipper community to meet buyer, and ultimately consumer, demand for produce.  Simultaneously, growers and shippers are working hard to remain compliant with pallet requirement specifications where they can, but this is proving challenging.  Temporary modifications or exceptions to pallet requirements, as long as they do not jeopardize safety, would prove advantageous until this pallet shortage is resolved. This news is intended, in part, to act as a catalyst for industry awareness and should be shared with all stakeholders to ensure a consistent understanding of the issue and to encourage discussions and efforts towards a path forward.  All partners in the supply chain should have regular conversations with their pallet suppliers to understand the situation and pallet inventories/availability. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with all parties within the supply chain to mitigate the impacts of the current shortages and will reach out to stakeholders to identify a path forward that provides solutions to this increasingly disruptive threat and enables the continued flow of goods. Click here to see more industry news

• Algoma Orchards undertakes Waste Water Project

  Algoma Orchards is one of Canada’s most innovative leaders in apple farming, packing, and juice bottling. Algoma’s growing demand and production capacity required an increased supply of water, but infrastructure and operational challenges coupled with high costs of water were impeding expansion plans. SOLUTION: CharTech designed an integrated and compact membrane bioreactor (MBR)with bio-media in conjunction with highly effective Reverse Osmosis (RO) to convert high BOD wastewater into high-quality water that Algoma reuses for on-site processes. RESULT: CharTech supplied a state-of-the-art, fully automated closed loop water treatment system sized to process up to 110,000 liters per day of process wastewater to be recycled for reuse. It is one of first closed loop systems in Canada combining innovative technologies to effectively convert wastewater into high quality potable water, simultaneously enabling Algoma to increase its production capacity, improve efficiencies and reduce its environmental footprint. The project received grant funding to offset 50% of the project expenses, and also saves Algoma approximately $200,000 per year in operational costs. According to Kirk Kemp, President of Algoma Orchards, “Our partnership with CharTech Solutions to design and install a fully automated closed loop water recycling system has been a big success. We save $200,000/yr. by eliminating the need to truck in fresh water and dispose of wastewater for our apple and juice production processes. We’re proud to be an industry leader by implementing solutions that increases our capacity and reduces our environmental footprint.” Please view the project profile here: CharTech Project Profile – Algoma Orchards Closed Loop Water System 2021