PRESS RELEASE: Montreal, November 5, 2019 – The 34th Annual QPMA Oyster Party was held on November 1st at Le Rizz Reception Hall in St-Léonard. The evening’s inviting and friendly ambiance provided the perfect setting for members and partners to take advantage of this unique opportunity to exchange with customers, friends, and suppliers, proving once again that the QPMA is without question the network at the heart of Quebec’s fruit and vegetable industry.
Combining business and pleasure, oysters and a bountiful buffet.
More than 500 guests, including close to 100 members of the next generation, were warmly greeted by board president Pascal Primiano (Super C), event chair Nick Méti (Emballages Marcan), and QPMA CEO Sophie Perreault. Guests were able to enjoy two varieties of oysters to their heart’s content, and a stupendous all-you-can-eat buffet. Guests were welcomed by a signature gin and cucumber cocktail and could enjoy fresh strawberry and cucumber infused water stations throughout the evening. Which is only natural since fruits and veggies are always at the heart of any QPMA networking event.
Special meeting: real-time conference and presentation of financial results
Earlier in the day, the QPMA held a special meeting where Deloitte’s Anne-Isabelle Lavigne presented the financial results to members and highlighted the association’s sound financial management. Chairs of the main committees were also on hand to present their priorities, promising an exciting year ahead full of significant achievements. Ashley Pinto (Loblaws Group), a newly elected director, expressed her delight and pride in seeing one more woman on the board. With her 14 years of industry experience at Loblaws, Ashley will be an undeniable asset in discussions and in weighing the merits of potential projects. Richard Lagacé (Sobeys Quebec), another new director, was able to confirm his determination to become actively involved in the association and to give his all to his new role, particularly through his participation on the golf and government relations committees and by leveraging his extensive experience in the marketing field.
The meeting was also an opportunity for the entire board of directors to acknowledge new QPMA governor Francis Bérubé (Sobeys Québec). His values, his commitment, and his investment in the association’s projects were enthusiastically applauded
Tactix public and government relations advisor Dan Duguay closed the meeting with a real-time conference proposed by the CPMA on “The General Landscape and Issues of Plastic Packaging Used in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry.”
Dr. Juneau new ambassador of the I Love Fruits and Veggies Movement.
Other good news was the arrival of Dr. Martin Juneau as an ambassador (scientific expert) for the I Love Fruits and Veggies Movement. Cardiologist, researcher, and director of prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Dr. Juneau is also a professor at the Université de Montréal faculty of medicine and director of the Centre de médecine préventive et d’activité physique (Epic Centre). This outstanding educator, keenly aware of the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables and convinced of their health benefits, will add even more credibility to the Movement.
The board of directors was pleased to welcome the following new members who were present at the event:
- ALIMENTS HOTCHES
- SMOOTH MEALS
- ALIZÉS COMMUNICATION
- NORTH AMERICAN PRODUCE BUYERS
- SAC FRAICHEUR
Many thanks to all participants and to the instrumental support of our sponsors:
- CANADAWIDE
- PRINCE TRANSPORT
- FINANCEMENT AGRICOLE CANADA
- SAC FRAICHEUR
- LITEHOUSE
- EMBALLAGE MARCAN
- R.PINSONNEAULT & FILS
- MIRABEL
- BELLEMONT POWELL
- VERGER CATAPHARD
- JPL MARAÎCHERS
- S&S FORWARDING
- POLAR PAK
- FERME ROLAND PIGEON ET FILS
- FERME J.OUIMET
- NORSECO
- FERME NOTARO
- C. ISABELLE & FILS
- ML CATANIA
- NATURE FRESH
- GROUPE CONNEXION
- HAPPENING
About the Oyster Party
Ghislain Perron was the man behind the Oyster Party tradition, which started with 50 or 60 participants in a tavern in Anjou and later relocated to its present-day venue at Le Rizz Reception Hall. While the original party was strictly for serious oyster lovers, its format has changed over the years to accommodate more participants, with a gourmet buffet and an open bar. Peter Fogarty (Metro Fogarty) took over organizing the party from 1995 to 2005, when he passed the event on to Pat Calabretta. Pat kept standards high and partygoers happy until 2010, when Stephan Schmekel (Del Monte Fresh Produce Canada) took the helm. In 2014 and 2015, the torch was passed to Chris Sarantis (Canadawide), while Patrick Alain (Metro) ensured the event’s success in 2016. The Oyster Party is now in the very capable hands of event chair Nick Méti (Emballages Marcan).
About the QPMA
The Quebec Produce Marketing Association is a non-profit organization that brings together members from every sector of the fruit and vegetable industry, working in close synergy with them and with its various industry partners. Its mission is to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the activities of its members in the sector.
About the I Love Fruits and Veggies Movement:
The I Love Fruits and Vegetables Movement was launched in August 2018 to raise consumer awareness of the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle. For more information, please visit www.jaimefruitsetlegumes.ca and follow us on social media at hashtag #ILFV.
Facebook
Instagram
