Industry Day & AGM
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8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The GrandWay Events Centre, Elora, ON |
The 2026 Meat & Poultry Ontario Industry Day & AGM on May 12, 2026 at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora, ON will bring industry professionals together for a full day of learning and strategic discussion. Designed for processors, producers and supply-chain partners, the event focuses on practical education, regulatory updates and emerging trends shaping Ontario’s meat sector. Attendees can expect sessions that support operational improvement, strengthen workforce knowledge and encourage informed decision-making. This annual gathering reinforces MPO’s commitment to helping businesses stay competitive, connected and prepared for what’s ahead.
Contact Laura Shantz at [email protected] for more details.
Meat 2026 Speakers
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
This session delivers mental health and wellness strategies tailored to the meat processing industry. Attendees will participate in meaningful discussions and gain practical tools to support workplace well-being. By prioritizing mental health, businesses can strengthen employee morale, engagement, and productivity while building more resilient teams.
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Kristy Cork
Specialized Consultant – Healthy Workplaces In her role, Kristy understands that to thrive, workers need to be supported by an integrated approach that considers both physical and psychological safety.
Kristy is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), and a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor (CMHA). She continues to advance her education, pursuing a Degree in Psychology through Athabasca University. Seeing the positive impact of her work, reducing the risk of mental harm for workers, is what keeps her motivated and inspired. |
Second Harvest
Second Harvest will focus on their mission to rescue surplus food, combat food waste (a $58 billion problem in Canada), and fight hunger through national food redistribution, advocacy, and research, highlighting key findings from studies like "The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste.”
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Maureen Kirkpatrick Director of National Foodraising Maureen Kirkpatrick - Director of National Foodraising at Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. In her role, Maureen works with food businesses across the supply chain to help recover surplus food and connect it with front-line charities and community partners. Her work focuses on building awareness and donor support to keep good food where it belongs: on plates and out of landfills.
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Cyber Science Lab
The Cyber Science Lab (CSL), based at the University of Guelph, is dedicated to enhancing the security of Canada’s agricultural systems. As technological advancements drive efficiency and innovation in agriculture, the sector also becomes increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats such as data breaches, ransomware, and operational disruptions. The presentation will cover work the CSL lab has done to protect agricultural systems and seek input from attendees on how they support farmers and agribusinesses in better preparing for cyber threats and protecting critical infrastructure that supports the nation’s food supply.
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Dr. Vidushi Agarwal
Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Vidushi Agarwal is a postdoctoral researcher associated with the Cyber Science Lab at the University of Guelph, where she contributes to research in cybersecurity. She works alongside experts in cybersecurity science to support initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing cyber threats.
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MNP Digital
AI is moving fast, and this panel breaks down what it means for meat processing - from operational efficiency and inventory management to costing, supply chain coordination, pricing and more. Panelists will explore where AI is already being applied in livestock and beyond the plant, along with additional opportunities for processors. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of tools, costs, practical use cases, and the direction AI is taking within the industry.
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Mark Juhasz Senior Manager, Business Development Mark Juhasz works with agri-food and processing organizations on innovation, market insight and growth strategies at MNP. With more than 20 years of experience across the agrifood value chain and a strong background in applied research, he brings a practical perspective on how new technologies like AI can support business and supply chain performance.
Panelists:
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2025 Event Overview
The Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO) Industry Day & Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora, Ontario. The event brought together members of the meat and poultry sector from across the province for a day of valuable insights, industry updates, and networking opportunities.
Recognized as one of MPO’s most popular educational events, this year’s Industry Day delivered a dynamic program highlighted by an extended lunch, allowing attendees to connect and collaborate with peers and colleagues from across the supply chain.
A key highlight of the day was a presentation by renowned food industry expert Peter Chapman. With nearly two decades of experience at Loblaw Companies and a broad understanding of the entire supply chain—from retail merchandising to producer support—Peter offered attendees a unique and practical perspective on the Canadian food landscape. Since founding SKUFood in 2007, Peter has worked closely with producers, processors, and retailers to enhance their understanding of consumer needs and retailer priorities.
In his keynote address, “Getting More Ontario Meat & Poultry into the Shopping Cart,” Peter shared actionable insights and strategies to help Ontario businesses increase visibility and sales within the retail space. His deep passion for supporting industry success and his engaging delivery were appreciated by all in attendance.
MPO thanks everyone who attended and contributed to making the 2025 Industry Day & AGM a success. We look forward to continuing to support and connect the Ontario meat and poultry community in the year ahead.
Recognized as one of MPO’s most popular educational events, this year’s Industry Day delivered a dynamic program highlighted by an extended lunch, allowing attendees to connect and collaborate with peers and colleagues from across the supply chain.
A key highlight of the day was a presentation by renowned food industry expert Peter Chapman. With nearly two decades of experience at Loblaw Companies and a broad understanding of the entire supply chain—from retail merchandising to producer support—Peter offered attendees a unique and practical perspective on the Canadian food landscape. Since founding SKUFood in 2007, Peter has worked closely with producers, processors, and retailers to enhance their understanding of consumer needs and retailer priorities.
In his keynote address, “Getting More Ontario Meat & Poultry into the Shopping Cart,” Peter shared actionable insights and strategies to help Ontario businesses increase visibility and sales within the retail space. His deep passion for supporting industry success and his engaging delivery were appreciated by all in attendance.
MPO thanks everyone who attended and contributed to making the 2025 Industry Day & AGM a success. We look forward to continuing to support and connect the Ontario meat and poultry community in the year ahead.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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