Inaugural Kelowna Apple Fest gets underway
Kelowna videographer launches festival to support reeling apple growers
Just a couple weeks away from apple harvest, orchardists in the Okanagan were handed yet another devastating blow in what has already been a challenging year.
BC Tree Fruits Cooperative closed down, leaving over 300 small farmers without a way to distribute the fruit they grow.
Kelowna videographer and social media influencer Jason Chan at @justjason decided he was going to do something to help.
In conjunction with the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters Market, Jason has launched the inaugural Kelowna Apple Fest which takes place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 8 as a way to support local apple farmers during this critical time.
“Starting with the @kelownafarmersmarket on Aug. 31st, where you can come out, buy local apples, and take part in apple-themed activities. But we need more than just your attendance,” said Jason in a video on his JustJustin Instagram page.
He asked Kelowna restaurants and businesses to put apple items on their menus or hotels offer apples in the rooms, or businesses to buy apples for staff and customers.
“Even small actions can make a difference.”
And businesses, fruit stands, restaurants and more listened to the plea and got on board.
Currently there are around 40 businesses and counting that will offer apple specific dishes or drinks or support apple farmers in some way or other, said Jason.
Mother Love Kombucha is one of those. She has created a special apple kombucha using apples from Nancy’s at the East Farm Stand in Kelowna.
Last week Little Schack Farm asked local growers to to send apples for their Community Support Agri (CSA) boxes. Every farmer that was asked jumped on board and 500 pounds of apples went out in the boxes last week.
Even Denim on the Diamond is getting onboard.
Hatching Post Brewery has caramel apple sour cocktails on special and has created a smoke pork belly with apple sauce. Angel Share is doing an apple dessert.
Grand Delta Hotel has an apple centre piece and offering apples at the coffee shop. Ramada is offering apples to their guests. Red Bird Brewing has an apple pizza and Oak +Cru is doing an apple feature menu.
To check out all the businesses participating click here.
Jason said he is trying to organize a concert by donation but that is in its early stages of planning so stay tuned.
The biggest thing that Jason has done is spread awareness about how important our local farmers are to our food supply.
Without the co-op, many small farmers are left with tough choices—selling their fruits for next to nothing or letting them rot because they can’t afford to harvest, said Jason who has met with many farmers since starting the idea for Kelowna Apple Fest.
The farmers he has spoken to are the same farmers who have been hit hard by frost this year, losing entire crops of peaches and nectarines.
Check out Jason’s video here.
The best way we can continue to support our local growers is buy from the farmers’ markets, buy from your local fruit stand. Buy BC at your local grocery store.
For more information and how you can participate check out kelownaapplefest.com.
