It is hard to believe that we are already over two-months into the new year! I am filled with optimism about the future of our industry and the role the Ontario Produce Marketing Association continues to play in shaping it.
2025 was a year of meaningful progress and measurable impact. Together, we strengthened our collective voice on critical regulatory and trade issues, expanded the services and resources available to members including opportunities for connection and professional growth, and deepened our industry’s influence beyond the traditional boundaries of our sector.
One significant milestone was OPMA’s appointment to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Student Nutrition Program Implementation Working Group. Through this role, we are helping to maximize new provincial and federal investments in student nutrition and working collaboratively to address implementation challenges with innovative, practical solutions. It is a powerful example of how our sector contributes not only to economic growth – but to community wellbeing.
We also focused on delivering tangible value to members. Our partnership with Numerator expanded our research capabilities, equipping members with quarterly insights into consumer shopping habits in Ontario’s fresh fruit and vegetable sector. Our events and professional development opportunities continued to serve as essential touchpoints for connection and collaboration. These gatherings strengthen relationships across the value chain and reinforce the power of our community.
Beyond industry, our impact was felt across Ontario. At our annual food hamper packing day in 2025, volunteers helped distribute over 1,000 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to families across the province – a tangible reminder that what we do matters far beyond our own businesses. We will be busy making this impact felt again this weekend as we gather to pack fruits and vegetables to feed our communities during our 2026 campaign.
What excites me most is not simply what we accomplished last year – it’s what it signals about who we are becoming.
We are an industry that adapts. We are leaders who collaborate. And we are a community that understands that advocacy, education, and connection are not optional – they are foundational.
We have already begun 2026 with purpose. At the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, OPMA delivered a session focused on expanding market opportunities for Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables through school food programs. Our government relations efforts remain active and strategic, with continued engagement at both the provincial and federal levels to advance priorities such as supply chain resilience and fair-trading practices. We are leaning in – not standing back.
Our committees and networks are already hard at work planning impactful programming for the months ahead. As always, our focus remains on delivering value to members – through advocacy, education, connection, and promotion.
This year, our focus is clear: elevate our influence, deepen member value, and strengthen the connections that power our industry. Through expanded programming, thoughtful advocacy, and continued collaboration across the supply chain, we are building an association that not only responds to change – but helps shape it.
Thank you for your leadership, your engagement, and your belief in what we can accomplish together. The future of Ontario’s produce sector is bright – and I am proud that OPMA continues to help lead the way.
I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.
Rebecca Harris
President
Ontario Produce Marketing Association