MONTREAL — Ryan Goad, category director for Loblaw Cos. Ltd. in Toronto, received the 2019 Mary FitzGerald award April 4 at the CPMA convention.
Beth Hamilton, Northwest zone manager for Chiquita Brands, which hosts the award with CPMA, said Goad exemplifies the same passion and dedication to the produce industry as Mary FitzGerald demonstrated throughout her 40-year career with Chiquita Canada.
FitzGerald, who died in 2005, is still fondly remembered for how much she enjoyed working with young people, urging them to work hard and be innovative.
Goad, a new father who’s worked with Loblaw for 10 years, lives and breathes fresh produce, Hamilton said.
He understands the entire supply chain, she said, and takes an innovative approach to business, working directly with suppliers to source and develop Canada’s largest private-label grape program under the President’s Choice (PC) label.
He’s also interested in further involvement with the CPMA, she said.
The annual award is given to an innovative Canadian under 40 who works in the produce industry and “has a huge heart.”
Related content
Fyffes VP named Canadian Produce Person of the Year
Hamel wins CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Four companies win product awards at CPMA