Friday, April 26, 2024

Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place, Vancouver B.C.

MacKenzie Ballroom

The morning sessions will provide the foundation for breakout sessions in the afternoon and will include perspectives from across the supply chain and from initiatives that seek to standardize sustainability implementation.

The afternoon will focus on breakout sessions where participants will help identify, shape, and prioritize the actions required to move the fresh produce industry toward harmonized sustainability practices. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input on ongoing sustainability actions, those just getting underway, and identify gaps that the industry should address.

8:00 am– 8:15 am Welcome, agenda overview, and meeting goals
   
8:15 am – 9:00 am A Globally Sustainable Fresh Produce Supply Chain: Challenges, Barriers and Opportunities 
 

Keynote speakers 

9:00 am – 10:00 am 
The State of Sustainability - Efforts Impacting Global Produce Supply Chains
 

Panel

  • Dr. Yogendra Chaudry, VP, Professional Services & Environmental, Social and Governance, SSCI/Eco Canada 
  • Cheryl Sullivan, International Featured Standards (IFS) & PAC Next Consultant
  • Joanna Nathanson, Policy Advisor International Affairs, Sustainability and Communications, Freshfel (European Fresh Produce Association)
  • Erika Luna, Policy Analyst, International Institute for Sustainable Development
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Decoding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting & Investing Trends
 

Panel

10:30 am – 10:50 am
Networking break
   
10:50 am – 11:45 am
Aligning Global Produce Supply Chain Sustainability Practices with UNSDGs – Lessons to date  
 
  • Jacob Lawes, Projects Manager, United Fresh New Zealand, New Zealand
  • Dr. Hans Maurer, Chair, Technical Advisory Group, United Fresh New Zealand, New Zealand
11:45 am – 1:15 pm
Sustainability in Action | Produce sector leaders taking a systems-centric approach to sustainability
 

Lunch and Plenary Session Panel

  • Enhancing the sustainability of the broccoli supply chain
    • Tom Pierce, National Director of Produce Sourcing & Supplier Development, Sobeys
    • Matt Aronson, Chief Revenue Officer, Verdant Technologies
  • Potato supply chain sustainability, John Mesko, CEO, Potato Sustainability Alliance
  • Global Produce Supply Chain Sustainability, Gerd Uitdewilligen, Director International Sales, Copeland
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm
Overview of the Breakout Sessions – Format, goals and outcomes
   
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Taking action towards Harmonized Sustainability Practices for Fresh Produce
 
  • Theme 1 – Environment | Applicable UNSDGs (8): Clean water, affordable energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land.
  • Theme 2 – Social | Applicable UNSDGs (11): No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water, and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation & infrastructure, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, peace, justice, and strong institutions.
  • Theme 3 – Governance | Applicable UNSDGs (8): Gender equality, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, peace, justice, and strong institutions; partnerships for the goals.
3:30 pm – 3:50 pm
Networking break
   
3:50 pm – 4:30 pm
Breakout Session reports
   
4:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Taking action – Next steps and action items
   
4:50 pm – 5:00 pm
Closing comments