Times-Chronicle Staff

A lack of workers this summer has prompted Okanagan cherry and apple farmers to abandon some of their crops.

That’s why the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) says farms are desperate to find labour.

The worker shortage is the result of COVID-19 impacts on international travel and a reduction of travel options within Canada.

As a result, the tree fruit industry and the Ministry of Agriculture are asking local workers to consider helping with the harvest so that food waste is reduced.

A new web portal (bcagjobs.gov.bc.ca has been launched by the Ministry of Agriculture to help the link between local workers and farms.

“Local food is so important to food security, and increased use of the portal will help growers get the crop harvested in this year of COVID-19 challenges,” said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham.

Cherry producers have reported to the BCFGA they are finding that the labour shortage is causing them to run out of time in harvesting a variety.

Late season cherry varieties are being harvested in the Okanagan and Similkameen in August.

The early apple variety Sunrise will start harvest in the next week in the South Okanagan and move to the North Okanagan later in August.  Late season apples (such as Gala, Ambrosia, McIntosh and Spartan) are harvested from September to November.

Tree fruit harvest is typically by piece rate and minimum rates allow workers with good hand-eye coordination and the ability to carry out the physical work to achieve income significantly in excess of minimum wage.

“The harvest work is physical and rewarding,” said Pinder Dhaliwal, president of the BCFGA. “Practically, the work requires the ability to go up and down ladders and to lift weights of up to 30 pounds. Harvest work often starts early in the day to avoid the intense heat of the day,” Dhaliwal elaborated in explaining what is required of the work.

COVID-19 safety training is required this year.

“A first step in retaining local workers is that the workers recognize, before starting, the physical nature of the work,” said Glen Lucas, general manager of the BCFGA.

Lucas said BCFGA staff can provide on-farm orientation to fruit harvesters before the work starts; this is proven to increase worker retention. Interested workers may also call the BCFGA’s labour manager, Ron Forrest, at 778-363-3620 to find jobs.