Toronto, ON – November 22nd, 2024 – The Ontario produce industry’s hardworking individuals were honoured on Friday night at the Ontario Produce Marketing Association’s (OPMA) 33rd Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony. The OPMA annual awards are presented to individuals or organizations whose efforts have made a significant impact on the Ontario produce industry. Close to 300 people from across the industry gathered in person at the Bellvue Manor in Vaughan where the awards were presented.
“The OPMA is proud to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant impacts on promoting the fresh produce industry in Ontario. We know they work tirelessly on supporting the industry all year, and our Gala and Award Ceremony is the night they get to be recognized on stage in front of their families, peers, and colleagues and receive the recognition they deserve,” says Rebecca Harris, OPMA President.
OPMA Fresh Award
The OPMA Fresh Award, presented to an individual who demonstrates a fervent determination to improve the quality, distribution or consumption of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside of Ontario in 2024, was awarded to Cristina Di lelsi, National Account Manager at Taylor Farms.
As noted by her nominators, Cristina has “played a tremendous role in growing the business across Canada and has taken roles “that go beyond her primary responsibilities, spearheading projects that address key initiatives such as new flavour innovation and packaging refreshes,” while maintaining a leadership role on her team.
Cory Clack-Streef Produce Person of the Year Award
Cory Clack-Streef was a former OPMA President who passed away from breast cancer in 2007. In her honour, the Cory Clack-Streef Produce Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who work tirelessly to improve the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Ontario through innovation and hard work.
This year, the award was presented to George Gilvesy, who recently retired as Board Chair for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association (OGVG) after many years of dedicated service.
His nominator noted that “throughout George’s distinguished career, he has worked diligently with government officials at all levels to help alleviate the bureaucracy that members face in growing and distributing greenhouse-grown produce from farm to table. As a passionate champion for the sector, George has spearheaded advocacy efforts on behalf of OGVG members on a wide range of critical issues.”
OPMA Outstanding Achievement Award
The OPMA Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the produce industry through their efforts to improve the quality and distribution of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside the province of Ontario.
This year, the award was given to Dr. Martin Gooch, CEO of VCM International.
AS noted by his nominator “Dr Martin Gooch … has been the leader in our industry in covering the food waste crisis. His research has spanned many years and goes into detail on the causes of food waste, along with some reasonable solutions that will help our industry reduce waste … Recently, Dr Martin Gooch released his updated findings jointly with Second Harvest. I believe this is a significant area of focus for our industry. We should recognize Dr Gooch for his work, motivate him to continue his research and continue to gain momentum in our industry.”
OPMA Lifetime Achievement Award
The OPMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual who dedicated many years of their lives to improving the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, was awarded to the late Sal Sarraino, CEO from Fresh Taste Produce. Sal’s sons, Julian and Christian, accepted the award on their father’s behalf.
Adam Donikian, National Procurement Manager for Produce at Sobeys, presented Sal’s family with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He noted that Sal, who was born in Toronto in 1962 grew up working in his family’s stores downtown and “fell in love with the produce business.” As the family business transitioned from retail to importing, Adam said “Sal enjoyed working hard to improve the availability of fresh produce into Canada and the northeast US, but he especially loved citrus – and was passionate about bringing in the best citrus fruit to Ontario.”
In 2000, after a series of mergers and acquisitions, Sal created Fresh Taste and the business continues today.
Adam noted: “I like many others were in shock and crushed hear of the passing of Sal. This news that spread quickly throughout the produce community, from coast to coast in Canada and around the world as well. When I expressed my condolences to the family – they mentioned received messages from over 50 countries sending their condolences and support – demonstrating how much of a lasting impact Sal had. Sal had the foresight to leave the company in great hands with his two sons Julian and Christian to carry on the family business.”
OPMA Women’s Produce Network (WPN) Committee Awards
2024 marked the second year for the OPMA Women’s Produce Network Committee Award which was created to recognize women who have contributed to the produce industry’s growth and development. This award was open to women in all departments/positions within a produce organization that is a member of the OPMA, and is sponsored by Taylor Farms, Wonderful Sales, and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).
This year, two winners were selected by the OPMA Women’s Produce Network Committee (WPN), one for a woman in her first few years working in the produce industry, and the other for a woman who has been working in the industry for several years. These nominees were then approved by the OPMA Board of Directors.
Winning the award in the junior category this year is Jessica Wynne, Sustainability Specialist and Sales Associate from Pfenning’s Organic Farms. Her nominator noted “in addition to providing outstanding customer service, Jess embodies the principal of innovation and continuous improvement.”
Some of Jessica’s achievements include managing the redistribution of over 324k lbs of fresh healthy produce in 2024, arranging for food to be delivered to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Community Fridge KW, and the local community food centre in Stratford, creating a new recycling partnership with Terracycle for previously un-recyclable items, and ensuring lasting biodiversity on Pfenning’s farmlands by the creation and restoration of three wetlands.
The senior level winner for the OPMA WPN Award is Jennifer Hatton, Quality Control Manager at Sobeys. According to her nominator “Jennifer Hatton is a remarkable nominee … due to her outstanding contributions with the OPMA WPN and the Sobeys organization … In 2020 (when Jennifer returned to Sobeys) she brought with her a significant background of experience in quality control.”
“Jennifer has increased the trust and reputation of the Sobeys quality program both within the Sobeys organization (Headquarters & stores), as well as with suppliers. She has achieved this by improving collaboration and communication between all key stakeholders … and understands how important produce QA consistency is to both the internal and external stakeholders as well as the Canadian consumer,” noted her nominator.
The 2024 OPMA Women’s Produce Network Award also includes a grand prize of free registration to the Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference held by the IFPA in Carlsbad, CA in April 2025, as well as round-trip transportation and accommodations.
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About the Ontario Produce Marketing Association:
The Ontario Produce Marketing Association is a member-funded, not for profit organization whose mission is to connect people and information from field to plate. To become a member of the OPMA, please visit the website at https://theopma.ca/prospective-members/
For more information contact:
Mary Haurilak
Communications and Member Services Manager