FPC’s Board of Directors are a group of experienced executives who are owners, and investors in established Canadian food manufacturing companies.

FPC has a long, and proud history of representing the Canadian Food Processing industry.

Italian hoagie sandwich with turkey, cheese, and lettuce on a white plate, with side salad of cherry tomatoes and greens, glass of water in background.

History

The genesis of Food Producers of Canada began in 1949 with the Canadian Food Processors Association (CFPA) which later 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 increased globalization.

In 2002 the organization was renamed Food Processors of Canada, then in 2021 it rebranded  to Food Producers of Canada to better reflect the Canadian reality.

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 affecting Canadian competitiveness. FPC actively works to remove barriers to our member’s growth and investment. We are focused on market access, competitively priced inputs, and outcome-based policies.

FPC is a collaborative leader in the Canadian association space and has built strong partnerships throughout the entire food value chain. FPC is dedicated to advancing the interests of Canadian food businesses both domestically and internationally utilizing a broad assortment of tools and support.

Close-up of a sliced sandwich with ham, pickles, and tomato on toasted bread.

Board of Directors

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    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.

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    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.

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    John Allard

    John Allard is a seasoned leader in the food industry with a passion for food and wine. As the former 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.

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    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.

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    John Kelly

    Treasurer


    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.

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    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. goes here

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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!

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    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.

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    Denise Allen

    President, CEO, Ex-Officio


    Food Producers of Canada

    Denise is a transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience across various sectors and public companies, having held executive positions in Sobeys, Sears, and the NorthWest Company. Denise is a seasoned board director, and is the Chair of Cape Breton University (CBU) Board of Governors. Denise is an active member in her community and chairs various municipal committees.

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    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.