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“Our priority from the beginning has been working with growers to ensure they are receiving as many of the services the co-op provided as possible, including food-safety certification, access to storage and bins, and connecting with packing houses. This is why we set up an emergency table with the sector to work together on solutions. We are monitoring the court process closely and will continue to support growers in finding alternative arrangements for their harvest.”
The province noted that since the co-op announced its closure, more than 73,000 bins of apples had been shipped to packing houses, and that 120 of the 179 apple-growing co-op members had been connected with packing houses.
“The Okanagan has a rich history of farming and food production, highlighted by our delicious tree fruit, and it’s so important that we continue to support B.C. growers,” Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, said.
“It has been a difficult time for fruit growers with the closure of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. I have had numerous conversations with fruit-tree growers, and I continue to advocate for those impacted. Many growers are being connected to packing houses and other services and we will continue to collaborate on solutions going forward.”
Orchardists who have not made arrangements with a private packer can receive some support from the province by calling the AgriService B.C. line at 1-888-221-7141, or by visiting the tree-fruit support website set up by the Minister of Agriculture and Food.
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