FPC’s Board of Directors are a group of leaders, owners, investors in some of Canada’s longest standing and established food processing companies.

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

History

Food Processors 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 to better reflect the Canadian reality.

Always supporting our investors. In 2017 FPC welcomed Denise Allen as its President & CEO.

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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

Strategic Priorities

Dedicated representation on key issues and policy

  • Policy and legislation strategy
  • Action on regulatory issues
  • Consult with Government on issues and programs

Focus on Canadian business competitiveness

  • Non tariff trade barriers
  • Outcomes based policy
  • Competitively priced inputs
  • Skills and labour

Business Development

  • Domestic and international market access
  • Networking, education, research, program development
  • Promotion of high quality, processed foods

Personalized Membership Service

  • One on one counsel on issues and opportunities
  • Strategic alliances and network access to partnerships
  • Information sharing and newsletters
  • Advancement on skills and education

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

Robert K. Irving

Board Chair
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.

Denise_Allen

Denise Allen

President, CEO, Ex-Officio
Food Processors 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.

george paleologou

George Paleologou

Vice Chairman
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.

Irv_Teper

Irv Teper

Treasurer
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.

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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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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Paul Eckert

President
Eckert Machines Inc.

Paul’s father, Jim, was an area manager with responsibility for several plants of a major national canning company, before changing to the machinery side of the industry in 1961. In 1974, Paul joined the company and started in service, installations and R&D, and helped in the development of better ways to harvest or process a variety of vegetables and fruits. In 1985, Paul and Jim purchased the company from its American parent and changed the company name to Eckert Machines.

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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 Processors of Canada
and serves on the board and executive of the FPC.

Blair shier

Blair Shier

President & CEO
JD Sweid Foods

Blair has been the President and C.E.O. of JD Sweid Foods for in excess of 15 years. JD Sweid is one of the largest further processors of beef and poultry in Canada with operations in BC and Ontario. Prior to joining JD Sweid, Blair spent 20 years in the beer industry in Canada with Molson in a variety of senior leadership positions.

John Omstead

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.

henry lacobelli

Henry Iacobelli

President
Sun-Brite Foods Inc.

Henry started Sun-Brite Foods Inc in July of 1973 and processed 39,000 cases of product. In 1997 Sun-Brite purchased Unico Inc as its first foray into the branded business. In 2006 Sun-Brite purchased Primo Foods Inc and now owned 2 of the major Mediterranean brands in Canada. Today Sun-Brite’s group of Companies employ over 400 fulltime employees which increases to 700 during seasonal production.

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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.

James_Crosby

James Crosby

President
Crosby's Molasses Co. Ltd

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.

Michael Leahy

President & CEO
Leahy Orchards Inc.

Michael brings a lifetime of experience in both food processing and farming. He is the 2nd generation to lead Leahy Orchards Inc and 4th generation to run the Leahy Farm in Franklin Quebec. He has sat on the Board of Directors for the CTAQ and as Chairman of the FPC. Under Michael, Leahy Orchards has become a major processor of apple ingredients and private label applesauce in North America.

John Heimbecker

Vice President
Parrish & Heimbecker

Bio coming soon.

Mary DeSouza

Member Services and Events Coordinator
Food Processors 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 is currently pursuing studies in project management.