Gian Dhaliwall, right, and her son, Ravi, work long hours at the family's Orchard Hill Estate Cidery and Fruit Market in Oliver.


Fruit Market in June 2002. All produce sold at the market is grown by the family.


In 2006, Gian’s older son, Nav, now a physician in Edmonton, spearheaded a new line of ciders and the market’s name was changed to Orchard Hill Estate Cidery and Fruit Market. Cider production was started in conjunction with a project of the Okanagan Similkameen Cooperative Growers Association to help farmers diversify their products.


Ciders have become a major and rapidly growing component of the Orchard Hill business.


In 2012, Gian’s younger son, Ravi, who holds a degree in business administration, assumed the duties of manager.


“I realized what an excellent opportunity my family’s business is. It’s also a big part of me,” he said. Ravi attributes the business’ continuing success to family cohesiveness, hard work and just plain luck.


Last year, Granny’s Fruit Stand in Summerland was given a new lease on life.


Started in 1992 by the Cameron family, Granny’s was leased to various individuals or closed for six years before Derek Lutz took over in May 2013. Based on the warm reception he received last year Lutz is back again and anticipates a long-term arrangement. Learning what customers want was a


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2014


SUSAN MCIVER


Derek Lutz, above, has given a new lease on life to Granny's Fruit Stand in Summerland.


big learning curve for Derek, who has increased production of the more popular types of produce grown on his family’s Summerland farm. He buys what they don’t grow from other Okanagan growers. “It’s important to build good relationships with the best farmers in order to provide customers quality produce,” Derek said.


The congenial atmosphere at Granny’s starts with Derek and includes the friendly faces of his staff.


“I love working here. It’s a fun kind of


summer job,” said Grace Manders, who returned this year to help Derek. Derek attributes much of his initial success to the synergism between the fruit stand and the large associated bakery which is subleased by Swiss trained Markus Hunziker. Markus bakes a tempting array of fruit pies, breads and pastries such as hazel nut swirls and Kirsch (cherry brandy) logs.


Customers can also enjoy soups and sandwiches in a shady patio area.


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