History
Food Producers of Canada was created in 1949 as the Canadian Food Processors Association (CFPA) and merged with the Canadian Frozen Food Association (CFFA) to become the Food Institute of Canada (FIC) in 1989. The Food Institute was the strategic response to expected changes that would come with globalization. As expected, the domestic food processing industry began to change shape with many multinationals moving decision-making and production south.
However, Canadian investors filled the void and in 2002 the organization was renamed Food Processors of Canada and then to Food Producers of Canada in 2021 to better reflect the Canadian reality.
Always supporting our investors. In 2017 FPC welcomed Denise Allen as its President & CEO.
Mandate
FPC’s mandate is to advocate on behalf of Canadian owners and leaders of food based companies. FPC offers dedicated representation on key issues, advice on regulations, and policies, which affect Canadian competitiveness, and we actively work to remove barriers to our Member’s growth and investment. We are focused on market access, competitively priced inputs, and outcomes based policy for our Members. FPC is a collaborative leader in the Association space.
Based in Ottawa, we consult with stakeholders and strategic partners to advance the interests of food based manufacturers in Canada, and raise awareness for our industry’s contribution to the Canadian economy.
Strategic Priorities
Operational Agenda
Advocate and lead industry strategy and policy discussions on behalf of Canadian leaders, owners, and investors of food-based companies.
One on one support for issues and technical solutions.
Advance the business interests of members through research, development, strategic partnerships and government relations.
Increase public awareness on key issues affecting Canada’s largest manufacturing employer.
Meet the FPC team
Irv Teper
Board Chairman
Concord Premium Meats Ltd.
In 1987 Irv joined a large land development and house building client as CFO and General Manager. In 1993, he became a Partner and Co-Founder of the Concord Group of Companies and today he is the Managing Partner.
Denise Allen
President, CEO, Ex-Officio
Food Producers of Canada
Denise is a transformational leader with an emphasis on strategic planning and operations. She brings more than 18 years of experience in business strategy, budgeting, operations planning, and execution of a variety of commercial programs and initiatives across some of Canada’s largest, and oldest retailers.
Robert K. Irving
President
Cavendish Farms
Robert K. Irving has been President of Cavendish Farms since 1980. Cavendish Farms is a family-owned company that produces quality frozen potato and appetizer products for the North American and international food industry, supplying customers in the retail, and restaurant sectors. Cavendish Farms operates four potato processing plants – two on Prince Edward Island, one in Lethbridge, Alberta, and one in Jamestown, North Dakota. They also operate a fifth plant specializing in appetizer products in Wheatley, Ontario.
George Paleologou
President & CEO
Premium Brands Operating LP
George Paleologou is President, CEO and Director of Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, an investment platform focused on acquiring and building specialty food and food distribution businesses in partnership with talented entrepreneurial management teams.
John Allard
Treasurer
Laminacorr
John Allard is a seasoned leader in the food industry with a passion for food and wine. As President and General Manager of Fleury Michon America (FMA), he focused on continuous improvement and culinary excellence. He spearheaded a strategic realignment of the company's prepared meal business, encompassing airline catering, the retail market, and food service. Additionally, John coordinated the integration of FMA after its acquisition of Marfo in the Netherlands, where he also held the position of COO. In late 2023, John turned his focus to leading Laminacorr, a company renowned for its cutting-edge corrugated plastic extrusion products, including applications in the food industry.
Peter Luik
President
Dare Foods Limited
Peter is a long-time Canadian food industry leader and advocate for the maintenance of Canadian manufacturing. He joined Dare Foods as President on October 1, 2012. He was also the President and CEO of Heinz Canada from May 2005 to September 2012, COO beginning in June 2004.
John Kelly
President
Food To Market Inc.
John Kelly, is co-founder and past President (1989-2010) Sr. VP R&D and Technical Sales (2010-2014) Otter Valley Foods Inc., in Tillsonburg, Ontario. He is also the past Chairman of the Food Producers of Canada and serves on the board and executive of the FPC.
John Omstead
President
John O Foods Inc.
John Omstead is the 4th generation of a family with a storied history in the food business since 1911. In 1989 John ventured out on his own to start Family Tradition Foods (FTF). In the fall of 1995 John acquired the largest Green Giant processing plant located in Tecumseh, Ontario. In 2010 John sold his vegetable processing companies and began to focus solely on his fresh-water lake-fish processing and aquaculture businesses.
Eben James
President & CEO
Trenton Cold Storage Inc.
Eben joined Trenton Cold Storage (TCS) Group in 1986 and in 2000 became its President and CEO. He was educated at both the University of Western Ontario and the Schulich School of Business at York University, graduating in 1986 with an Honours Business Degree and an MBA. Since 1986, Eben has worked for the business his grandfather founded in 1902, now leading it into its second century under the leadership of the third generation of the same family.
James Crosby
President
Crosby Foods Limited
James Crosby is the 5th generation of the family to serve as President of Crosby Molasses Co Ltd. Founded in 1879, Crosby’s is an independent, family-owned business based in Saint John, NB. While molasses continues to be the mainstay of the business, Crosby’s has an ever-expanding line of branded and private label syrups and dry blended products, exported internationally and to markets across Canada.
Paul Roach
President & CEO
Belmont Meat Products Limited
Paul joined Belmont Meats as President and CEO in January 2015. With more than 29 years in the food and consumer products industry, Paul has established a solid reputation as a proven business builder with extensive experience across a number of key sectors of the food industry including meat, dairy, soup, bakery and natural foods. Prior to joining Belmont, Paul was President of Baxters Canada from 2008 to 2014.
Maurizio Zinetti
Founder & President
Zinetti Foods Inc.
Maurizio Zinetti is the Founder and President of Zinetti Foods Inc., in Surrey, B.C. Started in 1985, today Zinetti Foods employs over 100 people and produces branded and private label products distributed by major retailers all across North America.
Chad Parsons
CEO
Inovata Foods
Chad Parsons joined Inovata Foods in 2012 and held various positions before being appointed to CEO by Inovata Foods' board. He leads the Inovata Foods team in their mission of creating wholesome and convenient meals that bring families and friends together. Chad is passionate about this mission and is proud that the Inovata Foods team is able to partner with many preeminent retailers in offering their consumers quality private label frozen entrees.
Mahendra Bungaroo
Group CFO & CAO
Upper Crust
An experienced leader with a successful track record of managing teams through significant changes to strategically drive business forward towards growth and cost reductions. Finance Executive with extensive North American finance and supply chain, administration, and accounting experience in food, retail/wholesale distribution, manufacturing, construction, and public accounting.
Jamie Falcao
VP New Business Development, Strategic Sourcing & Industry Relations
Reuven International Ltd.
Having worked in the Poultry business since a teenager, I have over 35 years of experience and grateful to have worked in almost all aspects in the Poultry business whether it was Sanitation, Distribution, Driving, Manufacturing Operations, Supply chain, Sales, Procurement, and Industry relations. I bring a unique experience knowledge base to all things in the Poultry / supply management Industry. Having spent the last 10 years doing Industry relations and procurement and finding unique solutions for industry with my current role keeps me busy and interested!
Darren McFadgen
President, and Co-owner
McFadgen's Bakery Ltd.
Darren McFadgen is President and Co-owner of McFadgen's Bakery Ltd, a third- generation family bakery established in 1948. Located on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, McFadgen's Bakery Ltd has four facilities producing high quality baked goods for the Canadian market.
McFadgen's Bakery Ltd produces Fruit Cakes, Loaf Cakes, Pound Cakes, Birthday Cake Pieces and Plum Puddings for various National and Regional banners across Canada. As well as their cake lines, McFadgen's Bakery Ltd also manufacturers a line of cookies and cake donuts for the Atlantic Canada market.
Mary DeSouza
Member Services and Events
Food Producers of Canada
As member services coordinator Mary keeps members updated on critical issues affecting the industry, monitors engagement in addressing them, and helps members find company-specific solutions to protect their interests. Mary also organises FPC’s annual members’ conference. She has worked at the FPC for over a decade. Prior to FPC, Mary held office manager positions in the mining and eco-tourism sectors; and pursued voluntary fundraising and social development work in Central and South America. Mary holds a Program Management certificate from Algonquin College.
