OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - Celebrations are in order, as the Canadian Produce Marketing Association announced the recipient of its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the fresh produce industry and will be presented to Murray Driediger, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Fresh Vegetables.

Driediger’s achievements span over a 40-year career, which started at his family’s business, Driediger Bros. Farms, in 1979. As Managing Partner, Driediger transitioned the company from focusing on growing fruit for processors to one focused on growing for the fresh market. Over time, he developed a supply network of over 40 growers and a distribution network for six fruit commodities throughout North America.

Since then, Driediger has held various senior roles within the industry. Serving as BC Vegetable Marketing Commission’s General Manager, he helped guide significant expansion in the root crop and greenhouse sectors. In 2005, he moved into the role of President of the Golden Eagle Group, one of the largest agriculture operations in Canada covering 4,800 acres.

He then joined BC Fresh in 2007 as President and CEO where he has remained for the past 17 years. During his tenure, he transitioned the company from an on-farm distribution model to a central distribution network resulting in two warehouse expansions in the last 14 years. The company has grown sales exponentially under his leadership and now markets and distributes an expanded produce offering from 60 farms, consisting of 8,000 acres and 95,000 tons in annual produce sales.

“Murray has been a prominent figure in the produce industry from his time working on the family farm to leading BC Fresh. His dedication to advancing the sector has truly left a lasting impact,” says Ron Lemaire, CPMA President. “As a CPMA Board member for 10 years and past Chair of the Leadership Committee, Murray actively supported various initiatives. Notably, he championed the Freggie children’s program and advocated for enhanced financing tools for the industry, including the establishment of a financial protection mechanism for produce growers and sellers, now recognized as Bill C-280. His commitment to the industry’s growth, governance, and well-being has been commendable.”

Driediger has served on several boards, including CPMA, the North American Tomato Trade Working Group, the Canada-US Potato Committee, the BC Strawberry Growers Association, and many more. To read more about his decorated career, click here.

Murray will be presented with this award alongside other industry members and businesses at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show’s Awards Brunch on Thursday, April 25.

Congratulations to Murray Driediger on this well-deserved recognition!