Mississauga, Ont. – More than 1,500 food and beverage processing companies from across Canada have come together to launch a new national organization that will be based in Ottawa.

Called Food & Beverage Canada (F&BC), the new organization said in a statement that it’s tagline is “United to nourish the world.”

The F&BC’s co-chair, Daniel Vielfaure, says the new organization is about seizing new opportunities. “This is Canada’s agri-food century,” he says in the statement. “Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers can play a pivotal role in feeding the world, while growing jobs and economic sustainability for communities in rural and urban Canada.”

F&BC says it plans to work with governments to “effectively shape public policy and industry actions.”

Issues

The new organization also says there are some leading issues it plans to support:

• Ensuring smart regulations that serve the public interest while maintaining a competitive environment
• Building a healthier, more sustainable and ethical food system
• Promoting innovation in food and beverage manufacturing processes and practices
• Creating global trade opportunities for products
• Protecting and informing consumers while enabling consumer choice
• Providing skilled jobs and rewarding employment for Canadians

Who is F&BC

The statement says the organization is made up of seven regional food and beverage manufacturing associations from coast to coast, and leading industry and stakeholder members.

The founding board of directors includes:

• Co-chair: Michael Burrows, CEO of Maple Lodge Farms
• Co-chair: Daniel Vielfaure, managing director of Bonduelle Americas Long Life
• Vice-chair, Sylvie Cloutier, CEO of the Consel de la transformation alimentaire du Québec
• Secretary: Rosemary MacLellan, vice-president of Strategy & Industry Affairs at Gay Lea Foods
• Treasurer: Joe Makowecki, president and CEO of Heritage Frozen Foods
• Director at large: Rory McAlpine, senior vice-president of Government and Industry Relations at Maple Leaf Foods