SAN FRANCISCO, CA - In our previous discussion, Amy Gates and I discussed what Silo offers to the produce industry. Now, we turn to the many ways in which Silo seeks to differentiate itself from other solutions providers.

“After decades in this industry—from working on early DOS-based systems at Apio to leading large-scale software deployments across the produce supply chain—I’ve seen firsthand what operators expect from modern technology,” Amy tells me. “They want speed, clarity, and partnership. They want tools that simplify complexity, not add to it. And they want technology that actually lowers cost, improves efficiency, and adapts to the realities of their operations.”

That, as Amy says, is where Silo stands apart.

“Silo is built on a modern cloud architecture with mobile-first experiences and embedded AI capabilities. This gives customers real-time visibility, faster processing, automated workflows, and predictive insights that legacy systems simply can’t provide.
More importantly, modern infrastructure means fewer servers, fewer manual workarounds, and far lower long-term maintenance costs. Agility for us is about innovation — but it’s also about reducing overhead,” she explains.

Agility isn’t the only factor that Silo keeps in mind. The company wants to deliver a solution that is affordable, offering customers smart technology that drives cost reduction.

“Our modular platform and flexible pricing allow customers to implement only what they need—without the heavy licensing, consulting, or upgrade fees common in legacy ERPs,” Amy notes. “And, because AI and automation reduce manual labor, errors, double entry, and compliance risk, Silo directly helps companies lower operational costs. Technology should pay for itself, and our architecture is designed to make that possible.”

Technology should also be accessible, Amy reminds me, and that’s another way Silo delivers value to its customers: with transparent data and ready access to experts.

“This combination of transparent data and human accessibility is a major differentiator in an industry where support often feels distant or transactional,” Amy says.

Silo’s unified platform, which encompasses ERP, labor, and financial workflows across growers, packers/shippers, labor contractors, distributors, and multi-facility operations, is an ecosystem of tools that means lower technology costs, smoother workflows, and far fewer points of failure.

“Technology only creates value when it fits how the industry actually works. We don’t expect customers to adapt to rigid software—we work with them to ensure the system reflects their real operations,” Amy concludes. “This partnership-driven approach is built into our platform, our onboarding, and our support model.”

We’ll check back in with Silo regarding opportunities in 2026. You won’t want to miss it!

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Oppy has been named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ yet again. Marking the fourth time the company has earned this national recognition, Oppy is officially inducted into Waterstone Human Capital’s Hall of Fame.

This annual program recognizes best-in-class organizations whose cultures enhance performance and create enduring competitive advantage. Oppy is one of just 11 organizations chosen in its category for 2025.

“These awards recognize the very best in high performance corporate culture — those leaders and organizations that have built and nurtured performance-driven cultures and that are at the forefront of culture best practices,” said Marty Parker, president and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital, Canada’s leading cultural talent advisory firm, in the recent release. “This year’s winners actively craft high-performance cultures and serve as an inspiration for others who want to do the same.”

Previously awarded with this distinction in 2016, 2019 and 2022, Oppy will celebrate its 2025 win at the Waterstone MacKay Canada’s Most Admired Summits and Awards Celebration in Toronto on March 31, 2026. The company will debut a feature video highlighting how its culture fuels the success of its people and partners.

“Culture is the foundation of everything we do at Oppy: How we collaborate, innovate and ultimately deliver for our growers, customers and each other,” said Oppy’s Vice President of Talent & Culture and Chief People Officer Satri Alpine. “Being welcomed into the Hall of Fame is an incredible honor and a testament to the collective effort of our people, who bring our values to life every day.”

As the premier grower, producer, sales, marketing and distribution company in North America, Oppy is known across the industry for its expect the world from us promise. This commitment is powered by a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Oppy Chairman, President and CEO John Anderson, who has long championed culture as the organization’s guiding force, added, “A healthy culture is the gauge of an organization’s long-term success. At Oppy, we’re united in our goals, equipped to achieve them and committed to keeping ourselves strategically and culturally on track. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Recipients of the Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ award are evaluated across key performance areas including vision and leadership; recruitment and hiring for culture add; people development and talent management; cultural alignment and measurement; DEIB; corporate social responsibility; and organizational performance.

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) held their annual joint-advocacy event, Fall Harvest 2025, this week in Ottawa. The event, held every November, brings together produce industry leaders, Parliamentarians and government officials to discuss critical issues impacting the produce supply chain and Canadians’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

This year’s edition kicked off on Monday, November 24, with a panel moderated by David Coletto of Abacus Data, featuring Members of Parliament Dave Epp, Yves Perron, Gord Johns, and Kody Blois (CPMA 2023 Produce Champion), who discussed fresh produce policy priorities on Parliament Hill. Following the panel, David Coletto provided an overview of Canada’s current political landscape, and Steve Verheul, Principal, GT & Company Executive Advisors, and Canada's former chief negotiator of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), addressed industry members on Canada in the evolving trade environment.

Fall Harvest 2025 included meetings with Parliamentarians and government officials focused on addressing three challenges impacting the produce supply chain:

• Trade and investment to fuel the Canadian produce supply chain: As part of a highly integrated North American produce supply chain, the Canadian fruit and vegetable sector is impacted by the ongoing volatility caused by tariff threats. Industry representatives emphasized the importance of making agriculture and food production a national priority by advocating for a North American free trade agreement, accelerating market diversification, and making strategic investments in trade, transportation, and food-system infrastructure.
• Building a workforce that works from farm to plate: The produce industry relies on workers who come to Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). CPMA and FVGC representatives called on the Government to ease the administrative burden of these programs by preserving the SAWP as a distinct labor stream and streamlining government processes for compliant TFWP employers.
• Reducing red tape for a competitive Canadian produce supply chain: To enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s fresh produce industry in the global marketplace, the industry urged the government to reduce red tape through measures such as addressing audit burden across programs, creating an enabling regulatory environment for new products, and eliminating duplicative reporting requirements under the Federal Plastics Registry.

“Canada’s fresh produce industry is one of the most competitive sectors globally and a significant driver of Canada’s economy,” said Steve Bamford, CPMA Chair, in the recent release. “According to the Conference Board of Canada, the industry contributed $18.6 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supported more than 187,400 jobs across the country. As we face growing challenges across the supply chain, collaboration with the Government is essential to implement policies that advance and strengthen our industry.”

FVGC President Marcus Janzen stated, “Canadians’ access to food remains vulnerable in the face of ongoing tariff threats, labor shortages and regulatory measures that are trade barriers. Our meetings with Parliamentarians and government officials this week gave us an opportunity to address these key issues and highlight concrete actions that the government can take to view policy through a food lens and prioritize food security across the country.”

As part of the advocacy effort, CPMA and FVGC hosted a reception for Parliamentarians and their staff, attended by over 200 people.CPMA and FVGC thank all sponsors, Parliamentarians, and participants for making Fall Harvest 2025 a success. For further information, please visit our website.

MUSKEGO, WI - Snack time is in session! As consumers flock to the grocery store in search of better-for-you options, Jackson’s Food Company is ensuring retailers have what they need to meet demand. With two delicious lineups—Super Veggie Straws and Sweet Potato Chips—the brand is rapidly gaining momentum in the snacking space while keeping veggies at the forefront of all snacking occasions.

“Since the beginning, Jackson’s has always cooked our snacks in better-for-you avocado oil and never industrialized seed oils. Avocado oil provides a fresh taste and superior crunch to all our snacks,” shares James Marino, Chief Executive Officer. “Both product lines are crafted with non-GMO, gluten-free, and plant-based ingredients, appealing to health-focused consumers and those looking to indulge in tasty snacks without compromise.”

Made from only four real ingredients—yellow peas, brown rice, cassava, and sweet potato—Jackson’s Super Veggie Straws offer an irresistible snack that satisfies kids and adults alike. Available in 5 oz bags at retail, the real-veggie veggie straws are fried in premium avocado oil and seasoned to perfection. The brand’s collection of flavor-forward varieties includes:

• Sea Salt
• Cheddar
• Ranch

Also increasing opportunities in the snacking space is Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips, which are made from premium sweet potatoes and are offered in classic Sea Salt, spicy, and lightly seasoned varieties, including:

• Carolina BBQ: Made with tasty vinegar and Carolina mop sauce seasoning, these sweet and tangy chips cure BBQ cravings
• Spicy Jalapeño: An irresistible mix of real jalapeño and savory hints of onion and garlic
• Farmhouse Ranch: A better-tasting and dairy-free version of a classic. The perfect complement to our crispy, crunchy sweet potato chips
• Cheddar & Sour Cream Wavy Cut: Infused with the bold essence of Cheddar and the creamy tang of sour cream, this flavor redefines snacking as a super experience

Jackson’s offers a wide variety of sizes to meet the needs of shoppers and various merchandising needs. This includes:

• 1 oz multipacks of single-serve bags
• 2.5 oz shareable bags for retail check out and convenience store applications
• 5 oz traditional snack aisle size
• 16 oz club-size bags

Helping lead the charge for veggie-forward snacking options, both Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws can be merchandised in the perimeter of the produce department, keeping health-conscious snacking top of mind for consumers.

“Our chips and straws are cooked in premium avocado oil and seasoned to perfection, offering an exceptional taste experience that stands out from conventional snacks,” James adds. “All our products are non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and free from top 9 major allergens, expanding the customer base to include those with dietary restrictions.”

Rounding out the brand’s comprehensive snacking portfolio are its crave-worthy Kettle Potato Chips, which are also cooked to crunchy perfection in avocado oil. The lineup is currently available in flavors such as Sea Salt, Barbecue, Sea Salt + Vinegar, and the newest addition, Dill Pickle.

Snacking is one space that will continue to see strong demand, no matter the season. Broaden your assortment and meet those better-for-you needs with these enticing snack lineups!