Dear Editor:
This letter relates to the BC Tree Fruits Co-operative and the recent announcement the packinghouse in Osoyoos will soon be closing.
As a former “snowbird” and now a permanent resident in Osoyoos, I was horrified to think the retail store and the packinghouse was going to be closing down in Osoyoos.
In the Aug. 16 edition of the Osoyoos Times, there was an article about the packinghouse’s management opinion on the front page.
The next week (Aug 23) on the third page (in its totality at least) was the point of view of the farmers.
I have been away for over a week when I saw this and wondered if “the people” have been thought of at all in this decision-making process.
I have an issue with the timing as this is all to start taking place effective Sept. 9 for the residents in Osoyoos.
It appears that the Co-operative has indeed done due diligence with the view of the northern farmers and board members, but forgot about the farmers in the south and the residents, both permanent and long term seasonal.
Yes we do have to rely on our snowbirds to keep churches alive here.
People in small communities like Trail, Castlegar, Midway and Bridesville to the west in this southern region all do two things:
1. They gather all their supplies with friends and rent units with kitchens in them so they can preserve all the fruits as each season comes along to stock up for the winter. With the retail store, it was easier as three units had at least three types of fruits going at the same time. This is a “working holiday.”
2. They travel and get their fruit and return home if it is close enough to spend days canning (preserves and jams or jellies)
These residents brought in business for the hotels and motels in the area.
No matter where I stayed as a snowbird almost every person I talked to visited the retail store (as opposed to the grocery store).
The smell of apples in the halls either dehydrating or being made into applesauce was wonderful. As a permanent resident in Osoyoos, I have shopped around.
The Fernandes Fruit Market is not the best in price and as a local in the area, I am purchasing things in bulk for the winter.
I have found my favourite places at the farmers’ stalls. They need to have the support of the people who live here as it is hard work and we love our fruit and fruit growers in this valley.
Can something be done in all the decision making to provide for the residents in the southern valley who will miss the retail outlet?
My suggestion is a truck delivery system set up to have pre-ordering by internet and pickup at the small park beside town hall in Osoyoos for residents to come and get what they order (cases of large quantity or pounds/kilos of fruits) available at the back of a truck once a week at set time(s).
Business is business, but where is the actual support for the southern farmer with limited funding to get things to Oliver? Again where is the support for the lower Okanagan residents in access to fruit that is fresh, ripe and costs less than the grocery store?
In this day and age, I fully understand that the almighty dollar is the bottom line, but it’s very upsetting that this is being allowed to happen at the expense of local residents (permanent or snowbirds) and the group of small and diversified farmers.
Karen Woods
Osoyoos, B.C.
