The produce industry leader joins five other inductees in the 2025 class, with the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association recognising his transformation of Oppy from modest fruit distributor to globally respected marketing company
Oppy chairman, CEO and managing partner John Anderson has been inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, recognising his ”extraordinary impact” on Canada’s agriculture and food industry over the past 50 years.
The announcement was made by the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association (CAHFA), which annually celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding, lasting contributions to agriculture.
Anderson joins five other inductees – Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, Gaétan Desroches, Joe Hudson, Dennis Laycraft and Dr Peter Sikkema – in the 2025 class.
The induction ceremony took place on Saturday 8 November in Victoria, British Columbia.
“Every year we welcome inductees who have made impactful contributions across so many segments of Canada’s agriculture industry,” said CAHFA chair Phil Boyd.
“As our industry continues to innovate and advance, it’s important to reflect and recognise the lifetime contributions these individuals have made to strengthening the world-class agri-food industry we enjoy in Canada.
”Our 2025 inductees reflect groundbreaking work in primary production, value-added and food retail, policy making, commodity organisations, cooperatives, research and extension,” he explained.
The CAHFA recognises Anderson for his journey from warehouse associate to CEO of Oppy, described as ”a powerful testament to his work ethic and ingenuity”.
Under his leadership, Oppy transformed from a modest fruit distributor into a globally respected produce marketing company with strong Canadian roots.
His forward-thinking approach has helped shape sustainable farming practices, improve grower livelihoods and elevate the profile of Canadian-grown produce, it said.
“Being inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame is a great honour,” Anderson shared.
”It’s a privilege to call Canada home and an even greater privilege to have been a part of advancing its agriculture community over five decades.
”Thank you to the association for this distinction,” he added.
In honour of Anderson’s induction, the CAHFA commissioned a custom portrait by Maria Gabankova to commemorate his lifelong contributions to Canadian agriculture.
