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Okanagan apple growers consider more rallies

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Okanagan apple growers consider more rallies
Okanagan apple growers will decide soon whether to
continue their protest against low prices.

May
3, 2010, Kelowna, B.C. – Okanagan apple growers will decide soon whether to
continue their protest against low prices.

The
group has staged rallies in Kelowna and Abbotsford, where it's sold the fruit
at 12 cents a pound.

Apple
growers say that it’s the amount they received for last year’s crop even though
the cost of production was 22 cents a pound and the average price in grocery
stores is $1.29.

Fred
Steele, one of the protest organizers, says the movement is gaining a lot of
momentum.

A
Facebook group dedicated to the cause has 3,000 followers and members of the
public have shared their concerns about the industry with political
representatives.

Joe
Sardinha, president of the BC Fruit Growers Association, says it’s promising
that the public understands just how much trouble the sector is in.

“We’re
in awe of the fact that the response was so good,” he said. “It has been
reported very positively and is winning a lot of attention and loyalty from
consumers.”

Growers
sold 5,000 pounds of apples in two hours at the Kelowna protest, and even more
in Abbotsford.

Apple
growers say they would like to get at least 33 cents a pound for their stock.

A
decision on whether to continue the protest is expected this week.