Nature Fresh Farms is proud to announce that their director of business development, Ray Wowryk, is the recipient of this year’s Ontario Produce Marketing Association Lifetime Achievement Award. 

According to OPMA’s website, the award is given to an individual that has over many years demonstrated untiring efforts to improve the quality and distribution of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside the province of Ontario through innovation, cooperation, and hard work. 

“It’s an honor to present this well-deserved Lifetime Achievement award to Ray. He has dedicated his life to the produce industry and although it is a small token of appreciation, it is meaningful to him,” said Matt Quiring, shared sales director. “When Ray joined us at Nature Fresh Farms about 10 years ago, we didn’t think he would want to stay so involved on a day-to-day basis, but I know now that he will continue to be involved as long as he is – in his words – continuing to have fun. A big congratulations to my friend and mentor Ray Wowryk.” 

Wowryk has been a part of the industry over the past 45 years, in every level of produce from warehouse-labor to sales and procurement, to fresh imports and exports. Committing countless volunteer hours and being a prominent member of various organizations demonstrates that produce is not a career for Wowryk but a passion that extends outside of his profession. 

Every year four prestigious awards are presented at the OPMA Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. However, this year the awards were again announced virtually during OPMA’s virtual Gala on December 2nd. Congratulations to Ray for earning this recognition. 

About Nature Fresh Farms 

Continuously expanding, Nature Fresh Farms has become one of the largest independent, vertically integrated greenhouse vegetable farms in North America. As a year-round grower with farms in Leamington, Ontario, Delta, Ohio, and Queretaro, Mexico, Nature Fresh Farms prides itself on consistently delivering exceptional flavor and quality to key retailers throughout North America, while continuing to innovate and introduce more viable and sustainable growing and packaging solutions.