OTFC given a rough ride


New faces on board as growers voice discontent with how new co-op has been operating.


By Judie Steeves C


hange was in the air at this fall’s annual general meeting of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co- operative, not only because the first president of the new amalgamated co-op didn’t run for re-election, but also because of dissatisfaction due to economic conditions.


Some 300 growers and guests turned out to the five-hour meeting in Peachland Oct. 27, with the 165 members voting out two of the three incumbents running for re-election and replacing them with growers calling for more changes. Some took that out on senior management and the board, while others were less specific. President Jim Elliot reminded growers the board is themselves, fellow growers. He also advised them there are some disgruntled employees of the packinghouse, and suggested that growers be careful how seriously they take every story they hear from those who work there. “Morale is at an all-time low throughout the industry,” he commented.


Closure of some facilities and a reorganization to improve efficiency within the packinghouse have combined to create some uncertainty and dissatisfaction, he said. Elliot reported to members on the crop year, food safety and fruit quality expectations, and the future of the OTFC.


He said the co-op is working toward consolidating its assets and reducing its debt so that facility upgrades can get underway. The OTFC operates under a 10-member board, with five elected from the southern half of the Okanagan Valley and five from the north for three-year terms. Elected this year to represent the northern half was Karmjit Gill of Kelowna, while Kirpal Boparai and


12 JUDIE STEEVES


A portion of the large crowd that gathered in Peachland for the annual meeting of the recently-established Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative.


Colin Pritchard, also of Kelowna, tied for the second northern post on the board.


Defeated was incumbent Steve Day, along with Brian Porter, both of Kelowna. Elliot, of Oyama, did not stand for re-election. In the south, Ron Vollo of Summerland was re-elected, and Darshan Jassar of Penticton unseated incumbent Claude Moreira of Osoyoos.


The other board members are Sam DiMaria of Kelowna, Malcolm Mitchell of Winfield, Philip Patara of Kelowna, Nirmal Dhaliwal of Oliver,


Jack Machial of Oliver and Rob Dawson of Cawston.


Immediately following the annual general meeting of the OTFC, board members voted Pritchard onto the board, so Boparai was defeated in his bid for a seat.


Board members later elected Dawson as president, while Mitchell was elected as vice-president representing the north and Machial vice-president representing the south.


Growers also learned about plans for modernizing the packinghouse infrastructure.


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Winter 2011-12


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