AFPA is a non-profit organization representing all segments of the $28 billion food and beverage industry including growers, processors, retailers, food service buyers and suppliers since 1974.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build the competitive advantage of our members through quality training, effective promotion and by being the representative voice of members and the Alberta food processing industry.
Staff
Bianca Parsons
Executive Director
bianca@afpa.com
+1 780 243 2372
Melody Pahsko
General Manager
melody@afpa.com
+1 403 201 3657
Meghan Rennick
Project Manager
meghan@afpa.com
+1 780 232 2422
Sheldon Wolfe
Office/Technical Program Advisor
sheldon@afpa.com
Board of Directors
Eric Haak (Chair)
Sunrise Bakery Ltd.
Louis Bontorin
Calgary Italian Bakery
Brian Espiritu
Foothills Creamery
Scott Exner
MLT Aikins LLP
Tim Hill
Sani Marc Food & Beverage
Dietrich Kuhlmann
Kuhlmann’s Market Gardens & Greenhouses Ltd.
Anis Muhammad
Byblos Bakery
Andrew Polturak
Sunrise Bakery Ltd.
Michael Poynton
BDC
Joe Swiston
Wow! Factor Desserts Ltd.
Kelleen Tait CPA, CA
MNP
Paige Rey (Vice Chair)
Wolfe Honey Ltd.
Nominations for the 2024/2025 AFPA Board are now closed. Nominees will be voted on at the upcoming AFPA AGM, June 14th in Edmonton.
Stan Ballard Apprenticeship Fund
Established in 1986 to support educational activities for Alberta apprentice chefs, each year SAIT, NAIT and Lethbridge College award scholarships to second-year students enrolled in the Culinary Arts program. Alberta’s apprenticeship and industry training was added later on and is now also able to offer a scholarship to a worthy apprentice in the culinary field.
The scholarship fund was created to recognize the achievements of Stan Ballard (1927–2023), who retired from Burns Foods in 1986, following 41 years of service with Burns and with the food processing industry. Stan was one of the founders of the Alberta Food Processors Association. Stan did much during his career to promote the Alberta food industry, particularly in the food service sector.
