May 19, 1925, Montreal - A group of fruit and vegetable wholesalers meet in the Montreal Fruit Auction to discuss organizing their industry. The wholesalers were faced with the challenge of improving services - but had thus far not been able to act as a homogeneous group. The needs for an organization that could act and speak on behalf of the industry was evident on this fateful day. The result was a pioneer industry association called the "Eastern Canada Fruit and Vegetable Jobbers", the seed of the latter-day CPMA.

1920's -1999

  • 1925-1968 - Leslie Franklin Burrows, First Secretary/Treasurer of ECFVJ/CFWA 
  • 1940’s – The Association opens Traffic Offices in Toronto and Montreal 
  • 1965 - Name changed to the Canadian Fruit Wholesaler’s Association
  • 1972 - Formation of the Fresh for Flavour Foundation
  • 1969-1983 Bill Daman, Third Secretary –Treasurer/First Executive Vice President of CFWA
  • 1989 - The Canadian Wholesaler’s Association changed its name to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • 1994 - Amalgamation the Fresh for Flavour Foundation into CPMA - Reach For It! promotional program launched
  • 1997- CPMA Co-Founds the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education
  • 1999 - Launch of a new promotional campaign: “5 to 10 a day!” 

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    2000's - 2011

  • 2000- CPMA, Co-Founds the Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition and helps launch the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC).
  • 2002 - CPMA supports development and launch of Can Trace Data Standard: the foundation to the global standard for traceability
  • 2004 - Formation of CPMA’s Grower Shipper Committee and CPMA’s  North American Trade Committee 
  • 2006 - CPMA asked to serve as First Chair for IFPS and IFAVA. 
  • 2006 - CPMA announces the release of the Canadian Nationally Coordinated Retailer Assigned PLUs
  • 2008 - CPMA launched our On-line Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Labelling Tool and Freggie Fridays In-School Program
  • 2009 - CPMA partners with PMA and United Fresh Produce Association to launch the North American Produce Traceability initiative
  • 2010 - CPMA’s Passion for Produce created as a program to provide rising stars within the produce industry the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the supply chain through mentorship and participation in various events
  • 1983-2011 - Dan Dempster, Executive Vice President/President of CFWA/CPMA, succeeded by current President, Ron Lemaire 

    • 2011's - Present

  • 2011 - First Fall Harvest Event, providing a platform for meeting with government officials
  • 2011 - CPMA successfully rebrands itself
  • 2013 - CPMA launch of the new Online Community Portal and Podcast for Produce
  • 2013 - First National Health Summit, hosted by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, in collaboration with the Canadian Public Health Association
  • 2014 - Launch of Half Your Plate consumer campaign
  • 2015 - CPMA celebrates 90th Anniversary!