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OFVGA program manager appointed as chair of the Ontario Produce Marketing Association

The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) announced the appointment of its new board chair and two new directors at its annual general  meeting (AGM) held on June 10, 2025 in Toronto. The newly elected board chair will serve a one-year term as chair and the new directors will each serve three-year terms.

The members of the Board’s 2025-26 executive include Dan Tukendorf (Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA)) as chair, Dustin Wellman (Wonderful Sales) as vice chair, Steve Moffatt (North American Produce Buyers) as treasurer and Amanda Knauff (Taylor Farms) as immediate past chair.

New board chair Dan Tukendorf brings expertise, a strong commitment to the produce industry and the promotion of local food to the role. He has been a member of the OPMA Board of Directors since June 2021 and most recently held the position of vice chair.

“Since being elected as a director on the OPMA Board in 2021, I have had the opportunity to work with the board of directors and members that represent a diverse group of organizations across the produce sector value chain.  I look forward to continuing to work with the OPMA’s Board, staff and members on its mission of connecting both industry and consumers with produce related information from field to plate,” noted Dan.

“The dynamic produce sector is used to operating under an ever-changing supply and demand environment caused by various factors such as weather or transportation issues. However, under the current state of trade uncertainty and disruption it is even more important for the OPMA to keep the industry updated with timely information and to bring stakeholders across the produce sector together.”

At the AGM on June 10, it was noted that two directors would be departing the board in 2025. The OPMA board thanked Madison Hopper from Equifruit and Adam Donikian from Sobeys for volunteering their time toward the industry and the association.

Two new directors were elected to join the OPMA’s Board: Janis Deschenes from Highline Mushrooms and Cindy Tsen from Sobeys Ontario.

Janis is the Canadian Account Manager for Highline Mushrooms and has been at Highline Mushrooms since 2023. Prior to that she was an SQF (Sales Quality Food Program) practitioner for over 10 years, and is skilled in strategic project coordination, team development and stakeholder communication. Fluently bilingual, Janis is also a past CPMA “Passion for Produce Alumni” (2013), and has been involved in the QPMA (Quebec Produce Marketing Association) for several years.

Cindy is the National Produce Sourcing Manager at Sobeys Ontario, and has over 20 years’ experience in the retail industry, and recently participated in the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s 2025 Passion for Produce program. Cindy has also been an active member of the OPMA’s Women in Produce Network (WPN) Committee, helping plan events such as the WPN Summit held in March of this year.