Exhibit 5.1





                                                             March 24, 2003

The Andersons, Inc.
480 West Dussel Drive
Maumee, Ohio 43537


                           Re:    The Andersons, Inc.
                                  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am general counsel to The Andersons, Inc., an Ohio Corporation (the
"Corporation"), and have advised the Corporation in connection with the proposed
registration by the Corporation of $8,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
6.0% Ten-Year Debentures and $12,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.0%
Five-Year Debentures (collectively, the "Debentures"), pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on March 24, 2003 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act") (such Registration Statement, as amended or
supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement").

         For purposes of the opinions contained in this letter, I have examined
and relied upon such corporate proceedings, documents, records and matters of
law as I have deemed necessary or appropriate for the expression of the opinions
contained herein (including, without limitation, the Corporation's Indenture
between the Corporation and Fifth Third Bank (the "Trustee"), originally dated
October 1, 1985, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated August 14,
1997 (the "Indenture")). In addition, for purposes hereof, I have assumed with
your permission and without independent investigation that all factual
information supplied to me for the purpose hereof is complete and accurate and
that no changes will be made in the definitive form of the documents I have
reviewed in draft form which would impact my opinions.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I hereby advise you that in my
opinion when, as and if (i) the Registration Statement shall have become
effective pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, and (ii) the
Debentures shall have been issued in the form and containing the terms described
in the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the resolutions of the
Corporation's Board of Directors (and any authorized committee thereof)
authorizing the foregoing and any legally required consents, approvals,
authorizations and other order of the Commission and any other regulatory
authorities to be obtained, the Debentures when issued pursuant to the
Registration Statement will be legally issued, and will constitute binding
obligations of the Corporation.




         My opinions as herein expressed are subject to the following
qualifications:

         (a) my opinions are subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or
other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights from time to time in effect and to general principles of
equity;

         (b) provisions in the Indenture and the Debentures deemed to impose the
payment of interest on interest may be unenforceable, void or voidable under
applicable law;

         (c) requirements in the Indenture and the Debentures specifying that
the provisions thereof may only be waived in writing may not be valid, binding
or enforceable to the extent that an oral or implied agreement by trade practice
or course of conduct has been created modifying any provision of such documents;

         (d) I express no opinion as to the enforceability of the
indemnification provisions of the Indenture and the Debentures insofar as said
provisions might require indemnification with respect to any litigation against
the Corporation determined adversely to the Trustee, or any loss, cost or
expense arising out of the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct or
any violation by such trustee of statutory duties, general principles of equity
or public policy; and

         (e) I express no opinion with respect to indemnification or
contribution obligations which contravene public policy including, without
limitation, indemnification or contribution obligations which arise out of
failure to comply with applicable state or federal securities law.

         I am qualified to practice law in the State of Ohio and do not herein
express any opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the State of Ohio, as
such laws are constituted on the date of this opinion.

         I do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and
accordingly I do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities
or "Blue Sky" laws of the various states to the issuance and sale of the Shares.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I come
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
`33 Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/Beverly J. McBride

                                     Beverly J. McBride