Studying engineering and finance in university, Luis started his career at Oppy in 2015 when he joined the export team at the Santiago, Chile office. He’s since moved to accounting as financial controller. “The most important part of my job is preparing financial reports with the team in a timely manner,” Luis explained. He … Continued
Born and raised in Shanghai, China, Joan currently resides in BC’s Lower Mainland. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in interactive arts and technology, Joan worked in the packaging industry for 14 years in both structural and graphic design. “Packaging has always been my passion,” she shared. “It’s difficult to know where to start in … Continued
Born and raised in White Haven, Pennsylvania, Danielle currently resides in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the University of Phoenix and began her career as a general manager in the hospitality industry before joining Oppy in 2002 as a business development representative. Danielle is a part of the Oppy boomerang club, having left Oppy in … Continued
Hot on the heels of Senior Vice President of Sales and East Coast General Manager Brett Libke’s Capitol Hill appearance, Executive Director of Operations and Logistics Stewart Lapage joined representatives from across the Canadian fresh produce community on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for CPMA’s Fall Harvest event in mid-November. With the guidance of the Canadian … Continued
We all know how the right fuel for our bodies affects our everyday function, and how produce is at the center of that. But no one knows it better than professional athletes who depend on nutrition to progress their performance, and in turn, their craft. That’s why we’re partnering with Emeline Bennett, a Ski Cross … Continued
After a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many transformations, advancements and innovations amidst time gone by, the produce industry reunited for the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) first-ever Global Produce & Floral Show while reigniting business and friendships. With over 180 grower and retailer meetings, committee discussions, panels, presentations, media interviews and … Continued
At the end of September Senior Vice President of Sales and East Coast General Manager Brett Libke represented Oppy and the produce industry as a whole at the annual Washington Conference. Organized by The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), this event brought industry members together for three days to make their voices heard on key … Continued
Born and raised in Chile, Denise moved to Canada in 2017 and currently resides in BC’s Lower Mainland. She studied agricultural engineering at the Universidad de Chile earning a diploma in agroecology. Prior to Oppy, Denise worked as a quality control inspector, food safety certifier and organic certifier. Notably, she was a food safety certifier … Continued
Through its long-standing partnership, Oppy and the Japan Fruit Growers Cooperative have brought Japanese mandarin oranges into Canada for nearly 140 years. The tradition of sharing these oranges dates back to the first Japanese immigrants who came to Canada in the late 1800s. It was customary for them to receive packages from their families in … Continued
Born, raised and currently residing in Chile, Alexia studied agricultural engineering. Alexia began her career as a quality controller at The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and resettled families in southern Chile for a hydroelectric company. She also worked in marketing for a seed company before joining Oppy in 2014 as a category coordinator, … Continued
Sustainable business practices are at the heart of Oppy’s work — which is why our 20-year partnership with Divemex, who also holds those same values, has continued to flourish. At the end of August, Executive Director of Greenhouse and Canadian Category Development Aaron Quon, Grower Relations and Greenhouse Category Manager Albert Caudillo, Category Director of … Continued
Born, raised and currently residing in BC’s Lower Mainland, Myles studied business administration at Simon Fraser University. He started working for Oppy right after graduating six years ago, where his passion for the produce industry began. He was hired as a contractor in the Vancouver sales department and eventually earned a full-time position as a … Continued
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced its 2022-23 board of directors to take stage at The Global Produce & Floral Show this October which includes leadership of the executive committee and its next chair-elect for 2023-24 — assuming both roles is Oppy’s own Chairman, CEO and Managing Partner John Anderson. John is a … Continued
We are excited to share information about a few of our innovation projects and sustainability initiatives led by Senior Manager of Innovation and Sustainability Garland Perkins. Check out the video to learn about how we are using robots to fight powdery mildew, utilizing artificial intelligence for predicting yield in grape production and progress we are … Continued
Born in San Felipe, Chile and currently residing in Arizona, Pablo studied agriculture at the University of Aconcagua in his hometown. Pablo’s passion for our industry began when he worked in the quality department at Del Monte Fresh Produce for ten years and then at Decofrut before being hired by Oppy in January 2020. Pablo’s … Continued
The Vancouver office came together with their families to enjoy a sunny summer day on July 24. Oppy staff of all ages gathered at the office to enjoy games, a gardening site, arts and crafts, cookie station and so much more! Delicious food was served from Burgeraholic, a nice cool treat from Crema Ice Cream … Continued
A huge congratulations to this year’s class of 40-Under-40 award winners, which includes Oppy’s very own Category Director of Tropicals Eric Ziegenfuss! Produce Business annually spotlights rising entrepreneurs and leaders who have shaped the produce industry in a very short time, and paving the way for what comes next. Something Eric is no stranger to. … Continued
Over 5,700 participants took part in this year’s RBC Race for the Kids to raise money for childhood cancer and mental health initiatives at BC Children’s Hospital. This year a fundraising record was set for the event with over $1.25 million raised! Oppy’s own Senior FRUP Manager David Cheung is vice president on the BCPMA … Continued
Born, raised and currently residing in the Toronto, Ontario, Susanne is a jack-of-all-trades with a degree in fashion merchandising and design, certified in yoga instructing and is currently enrolled to become a certified dog handler. Susanne began her career as a fashion buyer in her hometown, eventually moving into a public relations role, where she … Continued
Every year the Eastern Produce Council (EPC) invites promising industry up-and-comers to join its leadership program which delivers valuable knowledge through classroom and field experiences. Newark Sales Representative Stephen Sanders participated in 2019, and inspired his co-workers Business Development Representative Kate Watson and Sales Representative Krystal McCusker to join this year. The EPC leadership program … Continued
Born in Washington, DC and currently residing in a suburb along Lake Michigan, Ryan studied food marketing at Saint Joseph’s University and has a MBA from Salve Regina University. Ryan’s passion for our industry began when he was a 15-year old working in Genuardi’s Family Market’s produce department and serving as a merchandising intern for … Continued
After a three-year hiatus, produce pals from around North America were once again in one city to celebrate the industry in a monumental CPMA. With a theme of reconnection, a sold-out show floor held over 270 exhibiting companies and a record number of attendees for a week of networking, learning and building business in Montreal. … Continued
Born, raised and currently residing in the City of Angels, Madie studied agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University. She participated in the Produce Marketing Association — now known as International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) — Center for Growing Talent Career Pathways Program in 2017. Madie has held a variety of jobs in the food service … Continued
Growing up in an army family, Deb lived all across Canada, finally calling the Lower Mainland of BC home, where she graduated from Simon Fraser University with a bachelor’s of arts degree in archaeology. She began her career in tourism, working across a variety of sectors in roles ranging from senior contract administrator to project … Continued
With 2022 in full swing and our teams full steam ahead, we are so proud to announce that Oppy has been chosen as one of BC’s Top Employers for 2022. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Oppy has been recognized as one of the best employers in British Columbia — the province we first … Continued
Born and raised in Hong Kong, China, Eric came to Canada in 2006 to attend the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He began his career in Vancouver as a bookkeeper, gaining experience over multiple industries including travel, education and real estate, along with working at an agency … Continued
Shifting its annual fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation to an online format for the first time in 2020, offering primarily bingo, pledge forms and raffles, Reception Services Supervisor Victoria Vancek and members of the fundraising committee stepped it up big time for the 2021 edition, raising an incredible $21,560. “Although this year continued to … Continued
Born and raised in Chile, Lino lives in its capital city Santiago where he received two graduate degrees in planning and strategic control, and business management — and is now an agronomist engineer who specializes in growing and agribusiness. Beginning his career at Oppy in quality control, Lino has managed categories from apples, grapes, kiwi … Continued
Though he retired this past summer, former Executive VP and COO Doug Grant is still making waves in the industry following his 26-year legacy at Oppy. At a virtual town hall last month, PMA and Center for Growing Talent honored the winners of their suite of awards, recognizing excellence across the trade — with Doug … Continued
Studying economics and business management at the University of Nevada-Reno, Dean started his produce career in 1994 as an intern at Stamoules Produce Company, “and the rest is history,” he said. He worked in various produce sales and marketing roles at Bonipak Produce Inc, SunFed, US Fresh and more, until joining the team in 2016 … Continued