LEAMINGTON, ON - We always look forward to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show and the abundance of industry innovations it brings into the spotlight, and this year is no different! As attendees prepare for another exciting showcase, Highline Mushrooms’ Janis Deschenes, Sales Manager, Retail, Wholesale and Foodservice, gave us a glimpse of what to expect from the mushroom maven.

Emerging as a star of this year’s showcase is Highline’s bilingual-labeled Stuffed Mushrooms, part of its Fresh Gourmet Series.

“These products were developed with today’s shopper in mind,” Janis explains. “Consumers are increasingly looking for fresh items that offer both convenience and elevated meal experiences, and stuffed mushrooms fit perfectly into that space. They’re easy to prepare, versatile for entertaining or weeknight meals, and they give retailers an opportunity to introduce value-added innovation within the mushroom category. From a retail perspective, these products are Built to Sell, Built to Supply, and Built for Margin, which is exactly what buyers are looking for as they continue to evolve the produce department.”

CPMA provides a valuable platform for growth by bringing together the entire Canadian produce industry in one place and creating a naturally collaborative environment.

“Many of the conversations we have at CPMA go beyond just products—they’re about category growth, innovation, and long-term partnerships. It’s an opportunity to sit down with retailers and talk about where the category is going, what shoppers are looking for, and how we can work together to grow mushrooms,” Janis explains.

“For us at Highline, CPMA is a great opportunity to reconnect with long-standing retail partners, meet new buyers, and share what we’re investing in as a company—both from a product innovation standpoint and from a production standpoint,” Janis continues. “It’s also an important moment to showcase the strength of the Canadian produce industry, while continuing to build relationships that extend across North America. Many of our retail partners operate in both markets, so it’s a great environment to discuss category growth from a broader perspective.”

The CPMA show comes at an exciting period of growth for Highline Mushrooms, as the company is bringing its Farm of the Future in Leamington, Ontario, fully online this year, representing the next chapter of mushroom growing in Canada.

“By integrating advanced growing technology, automation, and data-driven systems, the Farm of the Future will allow us to deliver greater consistency, improved forecasting, and scalable supply for our retail partners,” Janis tells me. “At the same time, we’re continuing to drive category growth through our rebrand and through solutions that help retailers grow the mushroom category. From packaging and merchandising strategies to value-added innovation like our Fresh Gourmet Series, our focus is on creating programs that attract shoppers, introduce new meal occasions, and increase basket size.”

Don’t miss the Highline Mushrooms booth at this year’s CPMA show, and keep reading ANUK for more exclusive insights in the lead-up to the event!