CPMA names 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has recognized Sam Silvestro with its 2023 CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Silvestro has worked in the industry for 40 years, currently serving as an executive consultant for national brands.

Previously, he held senior roles at Sobeys and Walmart Canada, including special projects manager, director of produce and director of merchandising. 

[Read more: “Talking produce with CPMA chair Sam Silvestro”]

Silvestro has also been involved in a number of government committees on food safety and import and export of food products and also served on several boards including CPMA and Ontario Produce Marketing Association. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Sam on the CPMA Board and experienced, firsthand, his passion and dedication to advance our industry,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA president, in a statement. “As CPMA’s Chair in 2016- 2017, Sam helped the Association to develop new educational tools for our members and created a role dedicated to identifying food safety knowledge gaps within the industry. He also helped us launch the fruit and vegetable policy statement to increase Canadians’ fresh produce consumption.” 

Silvestro will be presented the award alongside other industry members and businesses on April 27 at CPMA’s Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.