Building Canada’s Food Workforce: Parliamentary Reception

Jennefer Griffith

Event Host

Executive Director - Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC)

A true driving force in Canada's food and beverage sector, Jennefer Griffith is widely recognized for her visionary leadership in workforce development. As Executive Director of Food Processing Skills Canada, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives, consistently empowering businesses with cutting-edge programs and providing individuals with the essential resources to not just advance, but truly excel in their careers.

Mike Timani

Event Host

President - Fancy Pokket Corp.

Chair - Food Processing Skills Canada

Mike Timani is a native of Lebanon and was born in Venezuela. He arrived in Toronto during the Lebanese civil war. He is president and CEO of Fancy Pokket Corporation in Moncton which was established in June 1989 in a 1,000 sq foot facility with three employees. Today, the bakery consists of 45,000 sq. ft. and employs 80 people. Fancy Pokket is the largest producer of pita bread, bagels, tortilla wraps and flatbread in Atlantic Canada. Mike constructed a 58,000 sq. ft. dedicated Gluten Free facility in Lancaster County, South Carolina which produces a variety of gluten free products. The new facility began operations in August 2019.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

About this event

Food Processing Skills Canada is pleased to invite Members of Parliament, Senators, government officials, industry leaders, educators and partners to an evening reception focused on Canada’s food workforce and the future of food and beverage manufacturing.

The reception will mark the launch of FPSC’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan and provide an opportunity to share insights from our latest Labour Market Outlook, highlighting the workforce opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s largest manufacturing employer.

Guests will have an opportunity to connect with leaders from government, industry and education and discuss how collaboration can strengthen Canada’s workforce, enhance food security and improve the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Please confirm your attendance by Wednesday, September 16, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of meaningful conversation and collaboration as we work together to build Canada’s food workforce.

Evening Program

5:30 p.m. – Guest arrival and networking
6:00 p.m. – Welcome from the Chair of the FPSC Board of Directors
6:05 p.m. – Remarks from Jennefer Griffith, Executive Director
6:15 p.m. – Recognition of Parliamentarians and guests
6:30 p.m. – Networking reception

Please note that on-site parking for the reception is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed. Valet parking may be available on a space-available basis at a rate of $60; however, attendees are encouraged to use nearby public parking facilities, including the Rideau Centre, York Street or George Street lots.

Event Details

// Match "9:00 am - 4:00 pm ET" const eventDate = new Date('2025-08-26'); // Event date in local time (we'll build full UTC below) // Eastern Time on August 26, 2025 is in EDT (UTC-4) // Construct a UTC time representing the EDT time const utcHour = hour + 4; // EDT is UTC-4, so +4 to get UTC const utcDate = new Date(Date.UTC(2025, 7, 26, utcHour, minute)); // August = 7 // Format to user's local time zone

Related Events

FoodAbility 6×30: Disability: Don’t Overthink It

What you learn:

Recognize how visible, non-visible and episodic disabilities may affect people differently—without making assumptions about their abilities, performance or potential.
Use respectful, confident and job-focused communication when discussing disability-related needs and workplace adjustments.
Apply an ability-focused approach to workplace adjustments that supports people in doing their best work without lowering performance expectations or changing the essential requirements of the job.

FoodAbility 6×30: Beyond the Recipe – PART 2 — KEEP the Talent

What you learn:

Recognize how neurodivergent employees may communicate, process information, respond to their environment and approach their work differently.
Identify workplace practices and management approaches that may unintentionally limit employee performance, contribution and retention.
Apply practical approaches to flexibility, workplace adjustments, communication and management that support different ways of working without changing the essential expectations of the job.

FoodAbility 6×30 Beyond the Recipe: PART 1 — SEE the Talent

What you learn:

Identify elements of job postings, candidate screening, interviews and skills assessments that may unintentionally overlook neurodivergent talent.
Recognize how differences in communication, behaviour and interview performance can affect how a candidate’s abilities and potential are perceived.
Apply practical, ability-focused changes that give candidates more ways to demonstrate their skills, strengths and potential.

- Custom Research Requests

Building Canada’s Food Workforce: Parliamentary Reception

Jennefer Griffith

Mike Timani

Chair - Food Processing Skills Canada

About this event

Event Details

Related Events

FoodAbility 6×30: Disability: Don’t Overthink It

What you learn:

FoodAbility 6×30: Beyond the Recipe – PART 2 — KEEP the Talent

What you learn:

FoodAbility 6×30 Beyond the Recipe: PART 1 — SEE the Talent

What you learn:

Building Canada’s Food Workforce: Parliamentary Reception Agenda

September 23, 2026 5:30 pm

Download or View Online