Randeep Kaler’s family owns and operates Peach Hill Farm and Fruit Market on Hwy. 97 just north of Osoyoos. Peach Hill was the first local fruit stand to open this spring. (Keith Lacey photo)
Lovers of fresh fruit are smiling more than usual as numerous local fruit stands have already opened in and around Osoyoos and local cherry producers have already started harvesting one of the earliest crops in the last 30 years.
Erin Carlson, co-ordinator with the BC Cherry Association, said an early and warm spring has brought an early and fast harvest for B.C. cherry growers in the South Okanagan and Similkameen as numerous growers have already begun harvesting their early season cherries.
Several days of rainy conditions gave way to 30-plus degrees temperatures late last week and earlier this week, making for a perfect storm to one of the earliest cherry harvests in the past three decades, said Carlson.
“We’re probably a week earlier than we’ve been in many, many years,” said Carlson. “This is the earliest cherry harvest anyone can remember since the research centre opened more than 25 years ago here in Summerland.
“All of the major varieties of cherries that are grown in the South Okanagan were developed at the research centre in Summerland … and while the majority of varieties are still green and growing, the early season varieties from the United States have hit the market over the past several days, which is very good news for cherry producers across the South Okanagan as we’ll soon be selling our cherries at local markets and grocery stores.”
Cherry producers work very hard to get their fruit ready for early June and favourable weather conditions this spring have the dozens of cherry producers located across the South Okanagan anxious and excited, said Carlson.
“It’s a long winter and they’re all excited about the new season,” she said. “The only problems are that many of the pickers who usually come to our area this time of year haven’t arrived yet and some growers are having a tough time finding enough people to pick their fruit.”
There’s a wide range of cherry pickers who come to the South Okanagan, including many young people from Quebec, backpackers from Europe and even a few older couples who welcome the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and earn a few bucks picking cherries, said Carlson.
Some cherry pickers with many years of experience can earn up to $250 a day, which is well earned in the blazing sun, she said.
Tourism season is in full swing in the Osoyoos and Oliver areas and for many visitors being able to purchase cherries is a big part of the visitor experience, she said.
“We like to think we’re producing some of the very best cherries being grown anywhere in the world,” she said. “People who are visiting the area want the opportunity to taste our wonderful cherries and make them part of their experience of coming to our beautiful part of the country.”
Meanwhile, many local fruit stands in Osoyoos and Oliver have also opened earlier than usual and are doing bustling business.
Randeep Kaler, whose family owns and operates Peach Hill Farm and Fruit Market on Hwy. 97 about five kilometres north of Town of Osoyoos limits, opened her fruit stand on May 26, which is one of the earliest openings she can recall in the 19 years her family has owned Peach Hill.
“We have a very good opening weekend and business has been very good every day since,” she said. “We’ve opened the last week in May the last couple of years, but May 26 is very early. We were the first fruit stand to open in Osoyoos once again this year.”
Peach Hill is selling a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including cherries, asparagus, dry fruit, apple juice, honey, hot sauce, jams and jellies and mixed vegetables, she said.
“All of the items we sell are locally made and produced,” she said. “We’re very happy and proud to support local farmers and businesses.
The Kaler family owns 25 acres of farm land behind their fruit stand and will be producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale over the next five months.
“We’re open for business seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the end of October,” she said. “We’re looking forward to another busy summer of providing quality fruits and vegetables to our regular customers and visitors.”
Anyone looking for work picking cherries is urged to visit the BC Cherry Association website and look under the employment listings.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
