Shana Girard checks Lapins as they come from the stem


separator on the


cherry line of Keith and Jan Carlson in Summerland. The Carlsons have operated their own packinghouse for cherries since 1999.


SUSAN MCIVER Different routes from tree to table


A look at the various ways successful orchardists feel are best tomarket their produce. By Susan McIver


H


ow British Columbia growers choose to get their fruit to customers depends primarily on the type of fruit, size of operation and the desired degree of control. The Okanagan Tree Fruit Co- operative, which handles the majority of B.C.’s fruit crop, provides an all-inclusive service from on-farm pick up, sorting and sizing to storing, packaging and delivery.


“Dealing with the packinghouse is best for me. For any operation of substantial size—15 to 20 acres or more—time becomes a critical factor,” said Cawston apple grower Rob Dawson.


Dave Powell, who operates a 30-acre orchard in Summerland, agrees. “How could I grow the apples and market them as well?”


The OTFC packs and sells


approximately 255,000 of the 295,000 bins of apples (86 per cent) produced annually in the province,” said Gary Schieck, chief executive officer. The OTFC sells apples to numerous international and domestic markets. The cooperative handles 11,000 bins (85 per cent) of the BC pear harvest each season.


There is a greater variation in the percentage of soft fruits, including cherries that go to co-op packinghouses. “Over the past three years, the OTFC has handled 11 to 16 million pounds of


8


soft fruit annually. This is estimated to represent 40 to 45 percent of production,” Schieck said. The OTFC sells cherries within Canada, the U.S. and select European and Asian countries.


All other soft fruits are sold almost exclusively within Canada. The OTFC also offers horticultural consultation and technology required to keep pace with market requirements. Cawston Cold Storage, owned by a group of five growers, provides organic producers with services similar to the OTFC.


“We grow it, pack it and sell it—the complete service—and also provide horticultural consultation,” said Billy Potash, who, with Dan Taylor, saw the need for a packing and marketing facility


for organic fruits and vegetables close to 20 years ago.


At least 85 percent of CCS fruit is sold within Canada, with most of the remainder going to the U.S. The company sells approximately 13,000 bins of apples and pears and 1,000 half-bins of soft fruit each year. Under the brand name of Nature’s First Fruit, CCS is the largest and most comprehensive supplier of organic fruits and vegetables in Canada.


Fairview Orchards Fruit Packers in Oliver is one of the larger private packinghouses used by conventional growers.


Serving 40 growers, Fairview packs approximately 5.5 million pounds of apples and about one million pounds of peaches, plus a small amount of apricots


Everything you need, carried in stock: - Stock corrugated produce boxes - Handi-paks - Customizable boxes and labels


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2010


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