Food Banks Canada announces new board members

Food Banks Canada have announced the appointment of Simon Laroche and Vince Barletta to its board of directors.

Laroche, president, Kraft Heinz Canada, brings 14 years of executive experience to the board. He previously served as president of Kraft Heinz Australia, New Zealand and Northeast Asia. 

“Laroche has extensive cross-functional expertise and has focused his career on improving business results while building engaged cultures,” notes a press release. 

READ: The Leaders: Lessons from Simon Laroche, president of Kraft Heinz Canada

Barletta is the president and CEO of Harvest Manitoba and was a member of Food Banks Canada most recent Think Tank, providing input into the development of the organization’s new strategic plan. He brings knowledge of food insecurity and food banking within Manitoba. 

“Barletta has dedicated significant focus to working alongside Indigenous communities within Manitoba on food insecurity solutions within these communities,” states the release.

“With food bank visits reaching close to 2.2 million a month and food insecurity at an all-time high in Canada, we’re grateful for Simon and Vince to help us drive meaningful change,” says Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley. “Our board is composed of exceptional leaders whose collective expertise spans the food industry, food banking, strategy, financial oversight, government policy and more. What unites them together is a deep commitment to our shared vision: a Canada where nobody goes hungry.”

Previous board members David Long, CEO, Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Sylvie Cloutier, CEO, Quebec Food Processing Council are stepping down.