MATT PETERS PRESIDENT
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome back to the OFVC! It has been a long 2 years since many of us have seen each other. Our last OFVC happened just before the initial lock-down and was the last time our farming community was able to truly get together. Now we’re back in ’22 and this really feels like a kick-off to the long-awaited “return to normal”. We warmly welcome many valued members of our community through various virtual components, and it is extra exciting to physically see our wonderful community of farmers, industry, researchers and extension back in Niagara Falls to reconnect! However you decided to take in this year’s premier horticultural event, thanks for your continued support! The value presented by a physical trade-show has never been more evident as the face-to-face conversations had on the floor have always proved to be difference makers as we continue to strive to improve our respective businesses. Thanks for the overwhelming support from industry to get back to OFVC so you can share what you’ve been busy working on. Same goes to researchers, extension and organizations who have continued their important work to drive innovative ideas and support growers through many new layers of bureaucracy. We are all looking forward to hearing and seeing the fruits of your labour.
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We have all endured a lot over the last 2 years, and the OFVC team wish to give a huge THANK YOU to all facets of the Canadian fruit and vegetable community for working long, hard hours to continue feeding Canadians fresh, healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables while balancing family and community health. I would be remiss to not give a special shout-out to those in the health care industry who have done the same to help keep our citizens healthy. The OFVC board/committee plus Niagara Falls Convention Centre staff, hotel staff and many contractors have put in a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure the OFVC is a fun, informative, inclusive and above all, safe event so please make sure to give them a ‘thank you’ for their efforts when you get the chance. Now it’s time to celebrate our collective toils, and to reconnect and learn as we prepare for another bountiful growing season in Canada! Cheers! Matt Peters PRESIDENT
