When Ontario Agricultural College student Allison Leroux started her own pop-up pizza shop in her third year of studies, it wasn’t just a business decision – it was the result of years spent learning, volunteering, and connecting with others over food.
Leroux, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology and a minor in Agriculture, didn’t grow up on a farm; she grew up in Mississauga. As the daughter of pizzeria owners, she feels lucky to have always been surrounded by food and had many experiences that connected her to where it came from.
That all continued to grow when she arrived at the University of Guelph.
“Mostly because of the pandemic, it took me a bit to get involved with the OAC,” says Leroux. “But even though I wasn’t from a farming background, everyone was so welcoming. It’s the kind of place where people will pull you in and lift you up.”
Leroux dove into the OAC community, joining several student clubs and executive committees including Junior Farmers, FoodTalk, Dairy Science, Women in Agriculture, College Royal and more. She also volunteered in the broader agri-food world – from Indigenous and community gardens to veterinary clinics, to music events that celebrated Canadian and rural heritage.
“Studying at OAC was the perfect fit for me because it brought together everything I care about: animal health, sustainability and food systems,” says Leroux. “Understanding how food is produced, from the soil to the plate, gave me the knowledge and confidence to turn my passion for food into something tangible and community-driven.”
Agricultural education laid path to entrepreneurship
Leroux didn’t wait until graduation to put her education to work. In December 2023, she combined her love of food, agriculture, and community and launched Crowded Table Pizza, a pop-up, farm-to-table pizza business. The passion project is grounded in everything she had learned inside and outside the classroom.
Inspired by her parents’ pizza business and her own experiences in pizza competitions, she created a business model rooted in sustainability, community and storytelling.
“My family owned a pizzeria, and I grew up around ovens and dough,” she says. “By the time I started university, I had also grown up gardening, working at barns and farms, and attended many restaurant industry conferences. But OAC taught me where ingredients really come from. I wanted to make pizza that didn’t just taste good – it told a story. I wanted people to bite into a slice and know who grew the tomatoes or raised the beef.”
Her pop-up events, held at farmers’ markets, breweries and even directly on farms, celebrate this connection. She sources ingredients from the growers around her and proudly points customers to their stalls.
“It’s about creating a table where everyone belongs. That’s what good food, good music, and good communities do. They bring people together.”
Building community through music and food
That same spirit of food and community shaped her other lifelong passion: music. Leroux plays fiddle and was drawn into jam sessions and folk festivals that, like agriculture, welcome everyone to the table. “There’s no competition in a jam, just shared joy,” she says. “It’s the same in agriculture. You find mentors, friends and this deep appreciation for tradition and innovation.”
Her volunteer and community-building efforts were recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement, “I’ve always believed in giving back, in any way possible. I encourage anyone to get involved in their school and/or broader communities – if there’s something you’re interested in, try it at least once.”
Throughout my life, I developed a passion for cultural, environmental, and agricultural heritage conservation, and this award has inspired me to further pursue these goals.” says Leroux. “It’s a reminder that what I’m doing matters, and that I want to keep growing, both as a business owner and community member.”
After graduating, Leroux plans to keep expanding Crowded Table Pizza, travelling to new farms and events to build new connections through food and music.
“Being a student at OAC showed me that agriculture isn’t just about crops and animals – it’s about people,” she says. “And if you love food, community and learning, this is the place for you. Just show up, be open and the rest will come.”
Discover more about the inspiring journeys of our graduates and how the University of Guelph shaped their paths