Features Business Policy
Canadian Produce Person of the Year at CPMA

April 29, 2013, Ottawa, Ont – The Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) 88^th Annual Convention and Trade Show took place recently in Toronto, Ont., including the awarding of the Canadian Produce Person of Year Award.

The award was presented to Jane Proctor, vice president of policy and issue management with the CPMA, by Shannon Shuman of The Packer (Vance Publishing).

Born and raised in Nova Scotia and educated at St. Francis Xavier University (1983), Jane began her professional life as an English teacher. In 1985, Jane joined CPMA. In the 28 years since then, she has worn many hats, among them:  receptionist, administrative assistant for the Fresh for Flavour Foundation, Reach For It project officer, marketing coordinator and currently vice president of policy and issue management (2008).

In I998, Jane began to support the association’s standardization and technology efforts and soon found herself in the position as information technology manager, handling such issues as efficient consumer response, electronic data interchange, retail coding, case coding, and reusable containers. In 2002, Jane became director or industry technology and standardization and in 2003, she joined industry leaders to develop best practices for global traceability initiatives, legislative activity, and lot number and traceability definitions.  

“Jane Proctor is one of those unique individuals who has dedicated her life to a vocation, not just a job,” said CPMA president Ron Lemaire. “Being recognized by this industry as the Produce Person of the Year is well deserved recognition for the contributions she has made over the past 28 years to better the market in Canada, and around the world.”

Jane served as the first chair of the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), as the first chair of Can-Trace for the entire Canadian agri-food constituency and, since 2009, has led CPMA’s government issue management working group and advocacy efforts. Jane also leads CPMA’s Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) efforts and is widely known as a global expert on coding and produce traceability.

“It is a tremendous honour to be in the company of the past recipients, many of whom I know and who are such inspirational leaders in the industry,” Jane shared. “I really believe that this award belongs not just to me but to everyone who has guided and supported me throughout my career, including my family and the countless people I’ve had the privilege to work with.”