CPMA Education and Training

Available courses

Produce Basics Certificate

These modules have been developed through industry consultations, an industry working group, and the CPMA Education Committee.

The activities and content in these modules is intended to be broad and cover a range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be expected of a produce professional beginning their career in the industry.

In many cases activities have been designed for you to reflect on your own situation and company so that your learning experience is tailored to your environment.

At the end of this module individuals must successfully complete an exam to receive their Produce Basics Certificate.

This course is available for purchase from the CPMA.

Non-CPMA Member Price:$225 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.

CPMA Member Price

1-5 Participants $150 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.
6-10 Participants $125 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.
11-25 Participants $100 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.
More than 26 Participants $75 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.

For more than 5 participants, please contact us for pricing and enrollment.

Payment Info

Please click here to access a secure form to arrange for payment and input your participant information. There is a 1-2 day processing time when paying with a credit card. Learners will not be enrolled in their program until the payment has been processed. Please be prepared and authorized to provide the following information for each participant: First Name, Last Name, Title, Email, and Phone.

Produce Essentials Credential

Prerequisites: Produce Basics Certificate

Course Description:

The Produce Essentials Credential recognizes individuals who have an in-depth working knowledge of the produce industry.

This program consists of five modules that are core to the produce industry including:

Sustainability & Social License	The concepts of sustainability and social licence are interpreted and applied within produce industry operations.
Sales & Marketing	The business of produce is explored including how business deals and relationships are developed and maintained in the produce industry.
Production Practices	From fields to greenhouses and beyond this module examines production practices specific to various growing environments.
Produce Supply Chain Logistics	The complexities of moving a living, breathing product from the field to the fork are examined across the supply chain.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance	Ensuring safe, quality produce is examined as a foundational requirement for the produce supply chain.

Each module ends with a multiple choice exam.

Payment Info:

CPMA Member Price: $250 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.

Non-CPMA Member Price: $500 (plus applicable taxes) per participant.

The Produce Essentials Credential:

Once an individual has completed all of the required courses they can apply to receive their credential.

Produce Essentials Credential Checklist:

Produce Basics Certificate
Completed Produce Essentials Modules
3750 workplace hours primarily related to produce

Produce 101

Apple Produce 101 is a standalone course for individuals who have little or no experience in produce. This course has introductory information on different categories of produce, basic handling techniques, proper storage, and rudimentary food safety information.

Produce Talks: The CPMA Podcast

Produce Talks

Produce Talks is the monthly CPMA podcast that is distributed through the CPMA website, iTunes, and several other podcast directories. Each month we explore topics that affect the produce industry such as exploring innovative approaches, insights into a sector of the industry, new and emerging technologies, or trends that may influence consumer choices.

Past episodes are available to CPMA members through the CPMA Community website.

Suggest a topic for Produce Talks

The Social Side of Produce – Part 1

Social media is no longer a side of the desk product, and is now usually either embedded or is the entirety of a company’s communication strategy. This month on produce talks we touch base with those responsible for social media from several CPMA member companies to discuss the changing landscape of social media, different strategies they are employing and best practices. This month’s guests include:

Cathy Gomez, Markon Cooperative Inc.
Heather Klein, Peak of the Market
Kara Badder, NatureFresh™ Farms.
Yumiko Hayashi, FreshPoint Vancouver

Play the Podcast

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, NatureFresh™ Farms.

Remember, if you have an idea for a podcast we want to hear from you.

You can subscribe to the podcast.

CPMA Webinars

CPMA webinars focus on topics that impact the businesses of CPMA members and the produce industry. CPMA works with a number of organizations to find speakers who are able to provide CPMA members with the best information possible.

Suggest a topic for a future webinar

Getting Value for Your Membership Webinar Recording AvailableTirez profit de tous les avantages en votre qualité de membre

Recorded October 15, 2015

Are you getting the most out of your CPMA membership? Join Lyse McClelland CPMA Membership Manager and some of our members as we delve into all CPMA has to offer.

Label reviews, education initiatives, government advocacy and the Annual CPMA Convention & Trade Show are just some of your member benefits. We invite you to join us to learn more about CPMA and how you can make the most of your membership. Access the recording by clicking here.

Additional webinar recordings are available through the CPMA Community Area.

Traceability and Produce Identification

Developed in partnership between CPMA, PMA, GS1 Canada, GS1 U.S., and United Fresh. These modules provide an in-depth explanation of traceability and product identification in the produce industry.

Produce Identification e-Learning Module

Traceability e-Learning Module.

To assist industry in an understanding of the basics of produce traceability, please click theFresh Facts for Industry: Produce Traceability document.