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.

Produce Essentials is now accepting registrations, but learners should note that

modules will be released based on the schedule above.

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

Produce Talks: Between Two Chairs – Part 2

This month on Produce Talks Ron Lemaire, President of CPMA, continues his conversation with Sam Silvestro, Past Chair of CPMA, and Rick Alcocer, the new CPMA Chair, of Duda Farms. In this part of the conversation, Rick outlines the priorities for his upcoming year as chair, and we get to learn just how much CPMA’s first international chair knows about Canada.

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 Available

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.

Upcoming Webinar: Foreign Exchange Risk. What is it and why should it matter to you?

Produce industry professionals have enough on their plate without worrying how exchange rates could cut into profits. In this webinar, we will look at the impact that currency volatility has on produce importers and exporters, and outline key methods for protecting your business.

After the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Assess how currency volatility affects their business and bottom line.

• Identify the tools available to help manage foreign exchange requirements.

• Understand the basics of implementing these tools to create cost certainty and protect profit margins.

About the speaker: Jared Burns is the VP of Corporate Foreign Exchange with EncoreFX and a dedicated member of CPMA. He has 10 years of financial market experience, which he’s chosen to devote to Canadian businesses navigating the waters of international trade. Using a consultative and educational focus, Jared provides members of the international business community with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions in this rapidly changing market.

Date and time:	Thursday, March 30, 2017 1:00 pm EST. (The webinar will run for 45 minutes.)

This webinar is only open to CPMA Members

Receive a notification when a recording is available

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.