Media Releases
New CEO Joins FICBC
December 21, 2011
Chilliwack, BC, December 21, 2011 – Following its launch earlier this year, the Food Innovation Centre of BC has selected its new CEO, Mike Leslie. Mr. Leslie has more than 25 years in the food industry, with experience in both the domestic and international markets. His background includes management and board positions and he has worked with food processors on a wide range of products.
BCFPA Delighted With Announcement from Ministry of Jobs
October 21, 2011
Abbotsford, B.C., October 21, 2011. “We are delighted with the announcement of the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation on the steps they are taking to further encourage business immigrants to invest in B.C. through the BC Provincial Nominee Program,” Nico Human, BCFPA CEO says. “We are particularly pleased to see that the BC PNP’s Entry Level and Semi-Skilled pilot will now become a permanent program. This is something we fought hard to get into place, and to hear that it will now stay in place is truly heartwarming.
See the attached file for the full Press Release.
Enhanced program promotes investment and jobs
October 13, 2011
From the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
VICTORIA – The provincial government is taking steps to further encourage business immigrants to invest in communities in regional B.C. through the BC Provincial Nominee Program.
This is one of a series of steps as part of a commitment in ‘Canada Starts Here - The BC Jobs Plan’ to attract more entrepreneurs from other countries to help create jobs regionally.
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides accelerated permanent resident status to entrepreneurs and qualified workers based on labour market and economic development priorities.
See the attached file for the full release.
BC Food Processors Association Announces 2011/12 Executive Committee
July 26, 2011
Vancouver, B.C., July 26, 2011. The BC Food Processors Association is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee for 2011/12 consists of:
- Dave Eto, President and Board Chair, Premium Brands
- Peter Higgins, First Vice-Chair, Purdy’s Chocolates
- Davis Yung, Second Vice-Chair, Fresh Direct Produce Ltd.
- Robin Smith, Past Chair, BC Dairy Foundation
- Chris Ball, Secretary, Reliance Insurance
- Pieter Vanderpol, Treasurer, Vanderpol Food Group
- Stan Rogers, MTAP Steering Committee Chair, Superior Freeze Dry
Food Processing Companies Honoured by the BC Food Processors Association
June 13, 2011
Abbotsford, BC, June, 2011.
Vanderpol Food Group received the BC Food Processors Hall of Fame Award at FoodProWest on Thursday June 9th, 2011. The Leadership Award went to Yves Potvin of Garden Protein International, and the Rising Star Award to Vikram Vij of Vij’s Inspired Indian Cuisine, while Sunrise Soya was awarded the Sustainability Award. Two new awards were added this year: Bill Vanderkooi of Nutriva Group received the Innovation Award, and the Member of the Year Award was awarded to KPMG.
Hall of Fame Award:
The Vanderpol Food Group is a family owned group of companies specializing in food ingredient processing, customization and creation. Specializing in all things egg and dairy, and provide nutritional and functional products to the food industry. Their passion has always been to Make Good Better. Their logo, inspired by the infinite configurations of the Chinese Tangram, is symbolic of the endless possibilities that exist to create and innovate. With this belief in mind, Vanderpol Food Group’s passion is to lead the changing demands of the food industry – from ideation to commercialization. Vanderpol Food Group joins Avalon Dairy Ltd., Purdy’s Chocolates and Freybe Gourmet Foods in the BC Food Processor’s Hall of Fame.
Other finalists for the Award were:
• Duso’s
• Gizella’s Pastry
This Hall of Fame Award was sponsored by Reliance Insurance Agencies.
Leadership Award:
Yves Potvin created North America’s first veggie dog in the 1980s and continues his innovative journey today with Gardein™, an award-winning line of healthy and delicious meat-free foods. Following the success and sale of his first company, Yves Veggie Cuisine to the Hain Celestial Group, Potvin founded Garden Protein in 2003 to create Gardein™, a center of the plate option which has redefined the protein alternative category. Available in 12,000+ stores, it has received many accolades including Shape Magazine's Best Snack Award and Natural Health Magazine's 'Good Food' Winner. Gardein™ has been featured in the past year on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Ellen deGeneres Show, and on Good Morning America. Potvin was recognized as one of Canada’s top 40 under 40 by the Financial Post magazine, and also named Pacific Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Agriculture and Food.
Other finalists for the Award were:
• Richard Harris, Golden Boy Foods
• Bill Vanderkooi, Nutriva Group
• Joe Zallen, Que Pasa Foods
The Leadership Award was sponsored by KPMG.
Rising Star Award:
The Rising Star Award celebrates a processor who has demonstrated innovation, shown leadership in industry and the community. Vikram Vij opened Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, BC in 1994 with the premise that there is no such thing as a typical Indian curry. Vij’s blossomed quickly and won its first award from Vancouver magazine for Best Asian restaurant in March 1995. In February 2004, Vikram and wife, Meeru opened Vij’s Rangoli, a café and retail store that serves as a casual companion to Vij’s. Vikram maintains the same vision today as he had 16 years ago, when he first opened Vij’s: to be the unappointed ambassador of India and share his native cuisine and culture with the world.
Other finalists for the Rising Star Award were:
• Jonathon Markham, The Chai Company
• Ian Walker, Left Coast Naturals
The Rising Star Award was sponsored by Revenue Services Group.
Sustainability Award:
The Sustainability Award recognizes a processor which has demonstrated energy conservation and sustainability in their operations. Sunrise Soya committed to purchasing of core ingredients within North America, cutting supply chain emissions. Sunrise manufacturing plants recycle all of their wastes – from bean bags to soy pulp residues, resulting in 40% reduction in land disposal pickups. As part of Sunrise Soya's efforts to conserve energy, Sunrise plants have effectively reduced water usage by 5%, electrical usage by 7% and natural gas usage by 8% on an annual basis.
Other finalists for the Sustainability Award were:
• Libra National
• Que Pasa Foods
The Sustainability Award was sponsored by BC Hydro.
Innovation Award:
The Innovation Award recognizes a processor which has demonstrated innovation in any aspect of the company (e.g. processes, technology, ingredients, human resources, culture, engagement, sales and marketing, product development, health and safety, research and development).
Bill Vanderkooi, of Nutriva Group was raised on a local dairy farm in Abbotsford. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with Master of Science in Animal Science, specializing in dairy
cattle nutrition and physiology. He contributed to the launch of the Clearbrook Grain and Milling dairy feed program in 1994 and became more involved with the family farm in Abbotsford, milking 80 cows at the time. For 15 years, Bill was involved in growing the Clearbrook Grain dairy feed business and family dairy farm and led the expansion with operations in Saskatoon and milking a total of 800 cows on 3 farms. In 2000, Bill started Nutritech Solutions, a specialty feed ingredient business with a focus on distribution and product development. In 2008, the Vanderkooi family farm business was re-organized and a succession plan was completed.
Bill was recognized for his work with the Nutriva Group of companies, especially the Bakersview EcoDairy as well as Vitala milk and eggs.
Other finalists for the Innovation Award were:
• Greg Blake, Daiya Foods
• Yves Potvin, Garden Protein International
The Innovation Award was sponsored by Grant Thornton.
Member of the Year Award:
The Member of the Year Award recognizes a BCFPA Member (processor or associate) that has demonstrated a high engagement level in BCFPA activities and made a contribution to industry efforts. KPMG excelled by supporting the BCFPA on many fronts including bringing in more than 15 new members to the organization, as well as several young Board members. KPMG is also always ready to support industry and association activities including facilitating the BCFPA’s strategic planning sessions, making boardrooms available, and much more.
Other finalists for the Member of the Year Award were:
• Purdy’s Chocolates
• Reliance Insurance Agencies
The Member of the Year Award was sponsored by the BC Food Processors Association.
The awards were presented at FoodProWest, the premier annual gathering of BC food processors. The event included a Professional Development Day, then the New Trends and Innovations Welcoming Kick-Off Reception, followed by the Main event on the next day.
During the event, attendees networked and browsed the trade show with over 15 exhibitors.
The Keynote Speaker, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers since 1991, John Scott spoke on the theme of “Retail Trends in the Food Industry”.
The day concluded with a lively Industry Leaders Forum. Bill Vanderkooi of Nutriva Group, Vikram Vij of Vij’s Inspired Indian Cuisine, and Richard Harris of Golden Boy Foods shared an insight in their worlds as leaders of their companies.
Photographs, videos and more are posted http://www.bcfpa.ca/node/548.
“We are delighted with the fabulous work of all nominees, finalists and recipients of our awards”, said Dave Eto, BCFPA President and Chair of the Board. “They all are worthy and totally inspirational. We are delighted that we could honour them in this way.”
“This is the third year of FoodProWest,” added Nico Human, BCFPA CEO. “We are very happy to see the event grow into a two-day event. It is also a fundraiser: Proceeds of the event are used to leverage funding for industry projects that will benefit the entire industry. The event therefore not only celebrates the industry and brings its participants together; it also raises funds for the betterment of the industry as a whole.
“We are already working on FoodProWest 2012,” Human added. “The provisional date is June 6-7, 2012. Please pencil the date in immediately!”
Western Canadian Functional Food & Natural Health Product Network to Join the BC Food Processors Association
May 24, 2011
The Boards of the Western Canadian Functional Food & Natural Health Product Network (WCFN) and the BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA) are happy to announce that, after the dissolution of the WCFN, its BC members will be accommodated within the BCFPA.
"We are pleased to be able to partner with the BCFPA,” said Kelley Fitzpatrick, WCFN Board Chair. “The synergies between the two organizations will provide value to both sets of members and significant opportunities for joint developments”.
“The BCFPA is happy to welcome past WCFN members as new BCFPA members,” said Dave Eto, BCFPA Board Chair and President. “We will help give them a single voice and a place to help build the industry. We look forward to enhancing the BCFPA's involvement in the areas of functional foods and natural health products and to work with high caliber people of the WCFN Board.”
“We plan to form a special Working Group/Committee for this group,” added Nico Human, BCFPA CEO. “These new members will not only have full access to the BCFPA membership package, they will also be able to rub shoulders to share best practices and more and to help build this important part of the industry”.
“We welcome them with open arms and will do all we can to make the transition as painless as possible,” Human added. “An inaugural meeting to get the process underway is planned for September. Please sign up with Adam Ford (adam@bcfpa.ca or 604-504-4409) to make sure that you receive an invitation to this event.”
BC Food Processors Association Partners with Food Processing HR Council
February 25, 2011
February 2011. The BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA) and the Food Processing HR Council (FPHRC) are pleased to announce a strategic alliance for the delivery of FPHRC training courses to the BC food processing industry. This partnership was created with the recent launch of the BCFPA Professional Development Program aimed at strengthening BC’s food processing industry by enhancing the competence of individuals employed within BC companies.
The delivery of FPHRC training courses will offer BC companies and employees an enhanced opportunity to participate in nationally recognized and industry validated training courses. The training will be offered in open sessions as well as available for in-house scheduling. Nico Human, BCFPA CEO, comments “the FPHRC training courses offer us proven content clearly linked to the food industry. Instructors will be chosen for their industry knowledge and facilitation expertise. We’re working with BCFPA associate member and training consultant Barbara Adams and are excited about launching these courses as early as March 2011. This partnership with FPHRC is a win-win for all parties concerned.”
Johanna Oehling, FPHRC Executive Director, agrees. “We are excited to make our partnership with the BC Food Processors Association ‘official’. The BCFPA has been most supportive during the forming of the FPHRC. We have worked well together on an ad hoc basis until now and we know this partnership will help grow the industry as a whole.”
“An additional component that needs mention,” Human adds, “is the Professional Development Day that we can now add to our annual premier event FoodProWest. It will be on June 8 this year, so FoodProWest will stretch over the two days of June 8 and 9, 2011. We are very happy with this growth.”
BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA) Wins BC Hydro Power Smart Award
October 29, 2010
Abbotsford, BC, October 2010. The BCFPA was named a 2010 Power Smart Excellence award winner at the BC Hydro Power Smart gala on October 26 in the Vancouver Convention Centre. The annual awards recognize energy conservation leadership from organizations in the commercial, government, industrial and retail sectors. BCFPA was recognized as the winner of the Power Smart Conservation Partner award.
Since 2008, BCFPA has worked with BC Hydro and Willis Energy to enrol food processors in the BC Hydro Energy Manager Program. More than 45 BC food processor companies have benefited from this valuable free program to date.
“The BC Food Processors Association is proud to be recognized and to be a partner with the Power Smart program. We really appreciate the work of Kymm Girgulis, the BC Hydro Food Processing Industry Specialist,” said David Eto, BCFPA President, after the awards ceremony. “Our members are benefiting from this free program. We will continue to sign up processors.”
“This program is a real win-win for both us and BC Hydro,” Nico Human, BCFPA CEO added. “It helps our sector to be more energy efficient; it helps BC Hydro and its customers to be more environmentally responsible and it helps us all to take better care of planet earth. Hats off to BC Hydro for creating this great program! Kudos to Donna Brendon—BCFPA’s Membership Manager—who has worked hard with BC Hydro and Willis Energy to make this program the great success that it has become! We are delighted with the partnership.”
More information on the program can be found at www.bcfpa.ca (see the BC Hydro Power Smart link on the title page).
BCFPA Announces New Executive
August 11, 2010
Abbotsford, BC, August 11, 2010. At the June 6 BC Food Processors Association Annual General Meeting, Robin Smith announced that he has decided to step down as President and Board Chair of the organization.
“I have always said that, when the time is ripe, I will step down,” Smith said. “The BCFPA is today in the fortunate position to have a suitable and most capable candidate who can step up to fill the position. We also have an experienced CEO who can support the new guy. The time has come.”
“Robin has done a tremendous amount to lead the BCFPA,” Nico Human, BCFPA CEO said after the announcement. “He is an astute tactician, people person and is especially politically very savvy. I will miss working so directly with him, but we will make sure that his expertise is still harnessed; he has agreed to stay on the executive and Board. He is not going anywhere. His role will just change.”
On July 26, at its first meeting after the AGM, the BCFPA Board elected Dave Eto as its new Chair and President.
Pieter VanderPol, who has served for many years on the Executive, has also decided to “make room for the next generation”. His position as Secretary will be filled by Chris Ball.
Gay Hahn, serving as Past President on the Executive, will now be replaced by Robin Smith.
“Gay was the Founding President of the BCFPA,” Human said. “She will remain a driving force on our Board and will continue to lead the very important Advocacy Committee. We are blessed with many capable leaders.”
The BCFPA executive for 2010/2011 is as follows:
President and Board Chair: Dave Eto
First Vice President: Vacant
Second Vice President: Stan Rogers
Treasurer: Jorgen Rohweder
Secretary: Chris Ball
Past President: Robin Smith
For the full BCFPA Board, with biographies and photographs, please visit www.bcfpa.ca/about/directors
Eto said. “My predecessors worked diligently to carve a path that established the BCFPA as a significant contributor to the Food Industry. We have a solid foundation to build from and I look forward to the challenge of continuing the growth of the industry and serving our members.”
Food Processing Companies Honoured by the BC Food Processors Association
June 8, 2010
Abbotsford, BC, June, 2010. Avalon Dairy Ltd. received the BC Food Processors Hall of Fame Award at FoodProWest on Friday June 4th, 2010. The Leadership Award went to Dave Hood of The Original Cakerie, and the Rising Star Award went to Thomas Haas of Thomas Haas Fine Pastries & Desserts Ltd. while Nature’s Path Foods Inc was awarded the Energy/ Sustainability Award.
Avalon Dairy Ltd. began as a small dairy in Vancouver in 1906. The company has flourished under President Gay Hahn. Gay was one of the first to recognize the emerging demand for organic milk. Avalon now offers a full line of organic milk products including milk, whipping cream, eggnog, yogurt and soon, sour cream. The company still markets milk and cream in recyclable glass bottles. While maintaining the original dairy on Wales St. in Vancouver, Avalon Dairy recently opened a 50,000 square foot processing plant in Burnaby. Avalon Dairy Ltd. joins Purdy’s Chocolates and Freybe Gourmet Foods in the BC Food Processor’s Hall of Fame.
This award was sponsored by KPMG.
Beginning in 1979 as an industrial bakery producing desserts for local restaurants, Dave Hood has led The Original Cakerie to become the largest privately owned dessert manufacturer in Canada. The company now distributes its frozen desserts throughout North America. The company recently opened a large new plant in London ON. Last year’s winner was Peter Joe, Sunrise Soya Foods.
Other finalists for the Award were:
• Brian Brousson, Silver Hills Bakery.
• Joe Zallen, Que Pasa Mexican Foods
The Leadership Award was sponsored by Revenue Services Group.
The Rising Star Award celebrates a processor who has demonstrated innovation, shown leadership in industry and the community. Thomas Haas and his wife Lisa founded Thomas Haas Fine Pastries & Desserts Ltd. in 2000. Starting with a storefront in North Vancouver, Thomas Haas Chocolates now has a factory and a new retail location in Kitsilano. Originally from Germany, Thomas is an award winning pastry chef and comes from a long line of pastry chefs.
Other finalists for the Rising Star Award were:
• Peter Springmann, Country Prime Meats, and
• Bill Vanderkooi, Nutriva Food Group
The Rising Star Award was sponsored by Reliance Insurance Agencies
The Energy/Sustainability Award recognizes a processor which has demonstrated energy conservation and sustainability in their operations. Arran Stephens and Jyoti Stephens accepted the award for Nature’s Path Foods. Jyoti is Nature’s Path Foods’ Director of Sustainability and Stewardship. Nature’s Path has re-packaged their cereals in boxes that are 30% smaller but with the same volume of cereal. Jyoti works across company departments to help manage sustainability goals and reduce the unnecessary use of resources.
Other finalists for the Energy/ Sustainability Award were:
• Vantage Foods and
• Sunrise Soya Foods
The Rising Star Award was sponsored by BC Hydro.
The awards were presented at FoodProWest, the premier annual gathering of BC food processors. The event included a breakfast keynote by David Ian Gray, DIG 360, sponsored by Meyers Norris Penny. A breakfast buffet featured Nature’s Path cereals. The morning included breakout sessions on Certificate of Recognition (Food Industry Occupational Safety Association); Packaging Trends (IDEON Packaging) and Alternative Financing (RBC Royal Bank). During the day, attendees browsed the trade show with over 25 exhibitors.
A highlight on the lunch plate was a skewer of Gardein Chick’n Scallopini (Garden Protein Int’l). With over 25 years in food processing, the keynote speaker, Yves Potvin (Garden Protein International)—perhaps the highlight of the day—candidly shared the triumphs and disappointments he has enjoyed over the years of building (and sometimes selling) food companies.
The day concluded with a lively Industry Leaders Forum sponsored by the Premium Brands Group. Gay Hahn of Avalon Dairy Ltd., Lloyd Bernhardt of Ethical Bean Coffee Co. and Arran Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods shared an insight in their worlds as leaders of their companies.
“We are delighted with the caliber of people who participated and the stature the event has achieved”, said Robin Smith, BCFPA President and Chair of the Board. “Avalon, Nature’s Path, Dave and Thomas are worthy and inspiring winners. We are delighted that we could honour them in this way.”
“This is the second year of FoodProWest,” added Nico Human, BCFPA CEO. “We built it out of the successful BCFPA Professional Development Day. We are very happy to see the event grow; up to 235 participants from around 120 in 2008. Our proceeds of the event are used to leverage funding for industry projects that will benefit the entire industry. The event therefore not only celebrates the industry and brings its participants together, it also raises funds for the betterment of the industry as a whole.
“We are already working on FoodProWest 2011,” Human added. “The provisional date is June 3, 2011. Please pencil (or “Blackberry”) the date in immediately!”
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