A big, indoor lettuce-growing operation within the South Okanagan has skilled a sudden growth in enterprise.
“Our gross sales have doubled and tripled previously two weeks,” stated Rachelle Peters, normal supervisor at Avery Household Farms.
Avery Household Farms started working in September 2023 after two years of building.
The idea for the enterprise was born through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The founders, Gary and Vicki Peters, went to grocery shops and noticed empty cabinets,” Peters stated.
The farm grows 4 varieties of lettuce.
“Frill, Romaine, Purple and Candy Leaf,” Peters stated.
Nevertheless, getting that lettuce into B.C. shops wasn’t that straightforward.
“One of many challenges is that U.S. imports have been on cabinets for many years, so there are these present relationships,” Peters stated.
A serious shift in shopper habits, nonetheless, has led to an elevated demand for the Okanagan-made product.
“We’re getting inquiries from grocery shops and eating places,” stated Peters.
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The demand stems from looming U.S. tariffs prompting Canadians to throw their assist behind their nation.
“We weren’t anticipating that B.C. and Canada have been going to unite like this, so it’s been actually nice,” stated Erin Wright, farming operations supervisor at Avery Farms.
Avery Farms at present harvests about 1,500 heads of lettuce a day, which represents solely about 10 per cent of its present rising capability.
“This enhance in folks wanting to purchase native, we will likely be at about 45 per cent of our whole capability,” Wright stated.
The indoor farm has elevated its seeding and should have to rent extra workers to fulfill the rising demand.
“We’re shifting just a little quicker than we anticipated however we’re undoubtedly prepared for this,” Wright stated.
Avery Farms lettuce is at present offered at just a few chosen shops within the Okanagan together with Peter’s Impartial Grocer in Kelowna, High quality Greens in Penticton, Belichs AG Meals in Okanagan Falls and IGA areas throughout the Okanagan.
Nevertheless, because of the excessive demand, it doubtless gained’t be lengthy till it’s accessible in lots of extra shops throughout the valley and B.C.
“Over the approaching weeks we will likely be increasing to different retail grocery shops,” Peters stated.
It’s a pattern she believes is right here to remain.
“I feel all British Columbians, given the specter of looming tariffs, now understand how essential it’s to have meals safety in British Columbia,” Peters said.
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