CPMA Calls for Industry-wide Action to Reduce Food Loss and Waste

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is stepping up efforts to address one of the fresh produce industry’s biggest challenges, launching a series of initiatives aimed at reducing food loss and waste while creating new economic opportunities across the supply chain.

The association recently announced a coordinated strategy focused on industry collaboration, targeted investment and policy development designed to reduce waste and recover more value from fresh fruits and vegetables. According to CPMA, the initiative recognizes that food loss and waste is not only an environmental concern but also a significant business issue affecting growers, shippers, retailers and consumers alike.

“Food loss and waste is one of the most complex challenges facing our sector—but it is also one of the most important opportunities,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA president. “By working together across industry and government, we can reduce waste, unlock new value, and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s fresh produce industry.”

As part of the effort, CPMA highlighted findings from its recent report, A Systems Analysis of Food Loss and Waste in Canada’s Produce Sector. The analysis found that nearly half of all food produced in Canada is lost or wasted annually, with fresh produce among the categories most affected. Approximately 41.7% of that lost product is considered potentially edible and recoverable, representing both an economic opportunity and a chance to improve food security.

Lemaire said the report demonstrates that food loss and waste should be viewed as more than an environmental issue.

“Our work clearly shows it is also a system-wide economic inefficiency—one that affects business performance, food affordability, and the long-term sustainability of our sector,” he said.

The study identifies several key contributors to produce waste, including the perishable nature of fresh products, supply chain complexity, cosmetic standards and consumer purchasing behavior.

To address those issues, CPMA is encouraging greater investment in cold-chain infrastructure, standardized measurement systems, innovation and improved policy coordination.

Beyond research, the association has launched a series of Food Loss and Waste Use Cases highlighting successful industry initiatives already in place. The examples include surplus management programs, partnerships with food rescue organizations, investments in packaging and logistics, shelf-life extension technologies and efforts to create alternative markets for surplus or cosmetically imperfect produce.

CPMA is also calling for closer collaboration between industry and government to support practical solutions. Among its priorities are expanded investment in cold storage and transportation infrastructure, incentives for food donation and value-added processing, harmonized date labeling, consumer education and policies that recognize the role packaging can play in reducing waste.

Moving forward, the association plans to continue collecting and sharing best practices, support pilot projects focused on waste reduction and value recovery, and strengthen partnerships across the produce supply chain. By bringing together growers, distributors, retailers, policymakers and solution providers, CPMA hopes to turn food loss and waste from a costly challenge into a long-term opportunity for the fresh produce industry.