Canadian hort industry opens food safety certification program to wholesalers and repackers Wednesday, April 9, 2014 by SUSAN MANN Wholesalers and repackers of fresh fruits and vegetable can now get certified as part of the horticultural industry’s national food safety program, CanadaGAP. Heather Gale, executive director of CanadaGAP, says wholesale and repacking businesses have a food safety program developed by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association previously that “existed as a standard.” But now wholesalers and repackers can get a CanadaGAP audit of their business premises done annually based on the produce marketing association’s standard and then get certified under the CanadaGAP program. “We’ve integrated their requirements from their standard into our certification program and they can now get CanadaGAP certification for repackers and wholesalers,” she says. Similar to the CanadaGAP program, the produce marketing association’s standard has gone through a technical review by the federal and provincial governments “to make sure that what’s in the standard is technically sound,” Gale explains. CanadaGAP is a national, voluntary food safety program of standards and a certification system for the safe production and handling of fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a March 21 CanadaGAP press release. It’s hard to say how many repackers and wholesalers will choose to get certified. Gale says if customers require their suppliers to get certification, then the program is mandatory for them. “We don’t know exactly what the uptake is going to be. It’s driven by the buyers.” With the repackers and wholesalers now having the option to be certified as part of a food safety program, the entire fresh produce supply chain, including farmers and packers, can follow a food safety program and be audited to ensure they’re meeting requirements. Gale says more than 2,400 companies across Canada are certified under CanadaGAP. That number includes fruit and vegetable farmers and packers. The participating companies represent an estimated 75 to 80 per cent of the production across Canada. BF Ottawa think tank predicts recovery for Canada's food manufacturing and service industries PMRA proposes hefty hike in pesticide cost recovery fees
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online