Food Safety Conference

Date: September 23 – 24, 2026

Sold out

Venue: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

CPMA will be hosting its inaugural Food Safety Conference, an in-person event that will bring together industry, government, and academia to discuss food safety as it relates to the North American and global food system.

The target audience includes businesses that use fresh produce, food safety and quality assurance professionals, researchers, and government representatives.

For any questions, please reach out to Jeff Hall, CPMA’s Senior Director, Food Safety & Innovation at [email protected]

Interested in learning more about available sponsorship opportunities? Please reach out to Heather Urban, Director, Market Development, at [email protected]

Time	Item	Speakers
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.	Opening remarks and host introduction	Stephanie Lariviere - Erie James Stephanie Lariviere Regulatory Affairs Manager - Erie James Ltd. Stephanie Lariviere is the Regulatory Affairs Manager for Erie James Ltd. and Sunsation Acres Inc., where she has led international food safety and regulatory compliance for more than 26 years. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Food Safety Committee and has been active in advancing risk-based auditing and global food safety initiatives across the Canadian produce industry. Her volunteer leadership spans multiple Board & Director roles, and has been recognized through numerous industry honours, including Grocery Business Magazine’s Outstanding Women in Produce Award, Greenhouse Canada’s Top 10 Under 40, and the CPMA Mary Fitzgerald Award. Stephanie is passionate about strengthening food safety culture, fostering industry collaboration, and helping shape practical, science-based solutions that support the future success of the fresh produce industry.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Governing in a chaotic world	Chris Moran - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Panel: Food safety on a global stage	Dr. Amy Parks - Dole Amy Parks Director, Global FSQA Governance and Regulatory Compliance - Dole Food Company Dr. Amy Parks is the Director of Global FSQA Governance and Regulatory Compliance for Dole plc., where she leads the development and implementation of a harmonized global food safety strategy across all Dole divisions and oversees the Food Safety program for Dole Fresh Fruit Company. With more than 20 years of experience, she has held various roles supporting multiple sectors of the food industry including Schreiber Foods, Merieux NutriSciences, and McCain Foods. Amy's formal training includes a B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, an M.S. in Food Technology and a Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from Texas Tech University where her research focused on food safety. Amy is passionate about engaging stakeholders at every level to optimize processes, uncover root causes, and drive sustainable improvements in food safety systems. Amy is a member of the GFSI Steering Committee and the Center for Produce Safety Technical Committee. Dr. Larry Goodridge – University of Guelph Lawrence Goodridge Professor - University of Guelph Dr. Lawrence Goodridge is a Professor of Food Science at the University of Guelph, Canada Research Chair in Foodborne Pathogen Dynamics, and Director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety. His research focuses on the detection, surveillance, and control of foodborne pathogens associated with fresh fruits and vegetables. He applies rapid molecular diagnostics, genomics, metagenomics, and whole-genome sequencing to improve pathogen detection and traceability across the fresh produce supply chain. His work includes the development of new approaches for detecting and characterizing important bacterial foodborne pathogens. Through collaborations with government, industry, and academic partners, he works to translate new technologies into practical tools that strengthen fresh produce safety and public health
10:45 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.	Sponsor Message
10:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	CPMA Canadian Food Safety Fund Research Update	CFSF Researchers
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Panel: GFSI Update	Heather Gale – CanadaGAP Heather Gale Executive Director - CanadaGAP Heather Gale is the Executive Director for CanadaGAP and has been involved in the program for the last 25 years. During this time, CanadaGAP has achieved full Canadian Government recognition as well as international acceptance through GFSI recognition. Heather also serves on the Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition Board, the CPMA (Canadian Produce Marketing Association) Food Safety Committee and the IAF Food Working Group. She participates in GFSI activities as a representative on the CPO Forum and is a member of the US-Canada GFSI Local Group and the Benchmarking and Harmonization Working Group. Rebbecca Anderson – GlobalGAP Rebbecca Anderson Senior Technical Expert - GLOBALG.A.P. North America, Inc. Rebecca Anderson is GLOBALG.A.P.’s technical expert, liaison, and trainer for the North American market. She has more than 15 years of food sector experience, including certification body program management, auditing, agriculture, food service, and teaching. She holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science from California Polytechnic State University and an MBA in Sustainable Solutions from Presidio Graduate School.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Destination Inspection Services & Grade Standards	Luc Mougeot – Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) Luc Mougeot President & CEO - DRC (Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation) Luc Mougeot started his career more than 35 years ago with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in various roles and increasing responsibility. He was recruited by the DRC (Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation) as Vice-President of Operations 15 years ago. He currently is currently the DRC's President and & CEO.
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Sustainability & Food Safety	Dr. Tracy Shinners-Carnelley – Peak of the Market Dr. Tracy Shinners-Carnelley Vice President Research, Quality & Sustainability - Peak of the Market Ltd. Tracy leads the potato research and quality programs at Peak. She has a passion for working closely with growers and the industry on crop protection and production issues, both provincially and nationally. Tracy is the current Chairperson of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, and Vice Chair of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada’s Crop Protection Advisory Group. She has a B.Sc. Agriculture from Dalhousie University and a PhD from the University of Alberta (Plant Science); and in 2020 was appointed Adjunct Professor (Faculty of Graduate Studies) Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University.
3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.	Break
3:10 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.	Panel: Food safety - A North American Perspective	Ken Hall - Fresh Point (Sysco) Ken Hall Regional Food Safety Director - Freshpoint 30-year food industry veteran with experience in quality and food safety programs across a number of industry categories, including baked goods, snack foods and produce. Gloria Terhaar - PCB Global Trade Management Gloria Terhaar Regulatory Analyst - PCB Global Trade Management Since her start date in 2007, Gloria Terhaar has forged an impeccable reputation working in multiple roles as a Trade Compliance Supervisor and a Regulatory Analyst at PCB. She has in-depth knowledge of documentation and regulatory requirements relating to imports into Canada and can interpret trade and policies to provide guidance relative to import compliance procedures. Ms. Terhaar ensures that our company’s practices operate within government rules. She prepares, reviews, and files regulatory documents and provides support in regulatory matters.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Cocktail Hour

Time	Item	Speakers
9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.	Host Introduction	Robin Maile, Gwillimdale Farms Robin Maile Food Safety & QA Manager - Gwillimdale Farms Ltd My career began in grocery retail, where I spent 13 years developing and leading food safety programs across the organization. Here I was responsible for strengthening food safety culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, implementing quality systems, and supporting operational excellence across multiple locations. In my current role at Gwillimdale Farms, I lead Food Safety and Quality Assurance initiatives with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of product quality, customer satisfaction, and compliance. I am passionate about building a strong food safety culture, driving continuous improvement, managing audits and certifications, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver safe, high-quality products from farm to consumer.
9:05 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	CFIA Update and Question Period	Pamela MacDonald - DG, Food Operations Food Safety and Science Branch, CFIA Pamela MacDonald Director General, Food Operations - Canadian Food Inspection Agency Pamela MacDonald is the Director General of the Food Operations Directorate. Throughout her career, Pamela has held a variety of progressively senior positions across the organization, including Food Safety Inspector, Inspection Manager, Director of Operations for Northeastern Ontario, Senior Director of Ontario Operations, and Executive Director of Inspection Support Directorate. As Director General, Food Operations, Pamela provides strategic leadership for the delivery of CFIA's food inspection and regulatory activities. She works closely with internal and external partners to advance a modern, risk-based approach to food oversight while promoting consistency, collaboration, and operational excellence across the Agency's food inspection programs.
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.	CPMA Overview	Sue Lewis - Vice President, Marketing & Events
10:10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.	Crisis Communication – You’ve just hit the news, now what?	Amy Philpott - Philpott PR Amy Philpott President - Philpott-PR Solutions LLC Amy Philpott is the founder of Philpott PR Solutions LLC, a public relations firm specializing in food safety risk communication. With over 20 years of experience, Amy helps food and agricultural companies and industry organizations use effective risk communication across traditional and digital platforms to build stakeholder trust, protect public health, and preserve brand integrity. She also trains executive leadership and crisis response teams to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Amy co-authored the 2022 Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Safety Risk Communication Framework and authored three of the six associated guidelines.
10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.	Sponsor Message
10:50 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.	Break
11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.	U.S. FDA / Regulatory Update	Dr. Jennifer McEntire – Food Safety Strategy Jennifer McEntire Founder & President - Food Safety Strategy, LLC Dr. Jennifer McEntire is the Founder of Food Safety Strategy, LLC, which helps companies ‘gut check’ their food safety thinking- to validate or challenge it, so they can confidently implement and defend their programs. With a Ph.D. in food safety and nearly 25 years of food and beverage association experience in Washington DC, she combines her background in food microbiology and regulatory insights to help food companies and the associations that represent them assess and pragmatically manage food safety risks in order to protect public health. She held previous food safety leadership positions with the International Fresh Produce Association, Grocery Manufacturers Association, The Acheson Group and the Institute of Food Technologists.
11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement - Update & Test / Learn Program	Dr. De Ann Davis – Western Growers Association De Ann Davis SVP, Science - Western Growers De Ann Davis, PhD, DABT is the Senior Vice President, Science at Western Growers Association. Western Growers members grow, harvest and ship over 50% of the nation’s fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. Dr. Davis has more than 30 years of experience in the development and execution of technical global programs, including food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. At Western Growers, De Ann leads a team of scientists that advance industry capabilities, respond to government policy and programs, develop technical tools, and conduct research in the areas of food safety, regulatory affairs, data science, climate resiliency and environmental performance. Tim York – Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Tim York CEO - LGMA Tim York is the CEO of California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. The LGMA was formed in 2007 to protect public health in lettuce and leafy greens. Mr. York joined the LGMA in 2020. Prior to the LGMA, Mr. York worked with Markon, a food service produce purchasing company.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.	Panel: Food Safety & Mexico Update	Georgina Felix – Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Georgina Felix Director of Operations and Foreign Affairs - Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Georgina Felix is the Director of Operations & International Affairs of the Fresh Produce Association (FPAA). Georgina has been with the FPAA for over 20 years working on Interinstitutional public relations with foreign and local governmental agencies and grower’s associations abroad. Prior to joining the FPAA Georgina worked at the Mexican Agriculture Department.
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Retail Discussion - Let's talk about audits.	Avery Bruenjes – Retail Council of Canada Avery Bruenjes Director of Regulatory Affairs - Retail Council of Canada Avery Bruenjes is the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Retail Council of Canada, where her portfolio includes overseeing federal files related to food safety and supply, as well as privacy and data protection, product safety, and supply chain efficiencies. Avery works alongside RCC’s federal and provincial teams to ensure that the concerns of the retail industry are heard at all levels of government.
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	How to protect food safety in a shifting geopolitical world?	Cameron Prince – The Acheson Group Cameron Prince Managing Director - The Acheson Group Canada Well known former Senior VP of CFIA, now a food regulatory and safety consultant for the past 1O years with the Acheson Group (TAG)
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Event Wrap Up	Hugh Bowman - Global Citrus Hugh Bowman President - Global Citrus Group Inc Hugh Bowman is an experienced leader in the global agriculture and fresh food sector, currently serving as CEO of Global Citrus Group Inc., which sources and supplies citrus, avocado, and exotic fruits to North American markets through grower relationships and farm investments based on various factors like product variety and harvest timing. He has held senior roles such as President of Canada Operations at Misionero Vegetables Ltd, COO of Bayshore Vegetable Shippers Ltd., and President of Ippolito Group. With over 30 years in produce industry operations and an MBA from the University of Guelph, Bowman has expertise in vertical integration from farm to fork and has collaborated with major North American retail, wholesale, and foodservice companies; he has also held leadership positions in various agricultural and produce marketing associations.