The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) announces the appointment of two new Board members at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 7, 2023. The newly elected Directors will serve three-year terms from 2023 to 2026.

The Directors joining the OPMA’s Board are Daniel Baldin from Longo’s and Steve Roberts from Vineland Growers Cooperative.

Daniel is a results-driven Senior Category Manager with a strong focus on strategic development, marketing and leadership. Most notably, he executed and managed the launch of the first conventional Fairtrade Banana program in North America. He also has experience working with the OPMA as a committee member on the member advisory committee for three years.

Steve Roberts has been in the fresh produce industry for the past 13 years with experience working for several organizations. He was nominated for the CPMA “Passion for Produce” program in 2013 and has worked on committees such as the Safe Food for Canadians Act. Steve was part of the OPMA’s Strategic Planning Committee and played a role in developing the 2023-2025 strategic plan.

The two Directors retiring from the Board are: Steve Dimen From Ippolito Fruit and Produce and Michael Wexler.

Adam Donikian from Sobeys, the 2023/2024 OPMA Chair, congratulated the new Board members and thanked the retiring Directors for their years of service to the association and the industry.

“The next year will be pivotal as we execute the first year of our new strategic plan. On behalf of the board and staff we look forward to supporting the membership with a number of initiatives that will help them meet their business goals,” said Donikian.