• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Country Life In BC Logo

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915

  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Search

Primary Sidebar

Current Issue:

MAY 2026
Vol. 112 Issue 5

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for free weekly FARM NEWS UPDATES

Loading form…

Your information will not be
shared or sold ever

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

23 hours ago

UBC's Wine Research Centre brought together a dozen graduate students at Tantalus Winery in Kelowna on April 30 to share their latest research on viticulture and winemaking. Topics ranged from heat and drought stress on vines to natural yeast classification and cover crop pairings. The day opened with a vineyard tour highlighting sustainable practices already underway at the wine#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

UBCs Wine Research Centre brought together a dozen graduate students at Tantalus Winery in Kelowna on April 30 to share their latest research on viticulture and winemaking. Topics ranged from heat and drought stress on vines to natural yeast classification and cover crop pairings. The day opened with a vineyard tour highlighting sustainable practices already underway at the winery.

#BCAg
View Comments
  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

6 days ago

Saskatchewan's Monette Farms, with nearly $1.1 billion in liabilities, has been granted creditor protection under the CCAA while it restructures. Rapid expansion into produce and cattle dragged earnings well below projections. The farm's BC cattle operation — and a planned West Kelowna winery — hang in the b#BCAge.

#BCAg
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Monette Farms wins creditor protection

www.countrylifeinbc.com

Monette Farms’ rapidly expanding produce business was a key factor in its decision to seek protection from creditors last week, according to court documents. Saskatchewan-based Monette Farms was…
View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

1 week ago

A new national beef code of practice is open for public comment until June 12. Developed by NFACC and the Canadian Cattle Association, the draft addresses pain management, weaning, nutrition, lameness and end-of-life care.

#BCAg
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

New beef practices open for comment

www.countrylifeinbc.com

A new national code of practice for beef producers is open for public comment. “The public comment period is an important opportunity for producers across Canada to review the draft code and provide...
View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

2 weeks ago

The BC Ministry of Health has approved $4.25 million for the BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, administered by the BC Association of Farmers Markets, for 2026. The funding is even with last year, and follows on $12 million provided in 2022-24. The funding is a cornerstone of BCAFM, providing eligible low-income, pregnant and senior individuals with $27 a week for purchases of locally grown produce at more than 100 participating farmers markets in 92 communities across BC. Funding has increased seven-fold since the program launched in 2012.

#BCAg
... See MoreSee Less

The BC Ministry of Health has approved $4.25 million for the BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, administered by the BC Association of Farmers Markets, for 2026. The funding is even with last year, and follows on $12 million provided in 2022-24. The funding is a cornerstone of BCAFM, providing eligible low-income, pregnant and senior individuals with $27 a week for purchases of locally grown produce at more than 100 participating farmers markets in 92 communities across BC. Funding has increased seven-fold since the program launched in 2012.

#BCAg
View Comments
  • Likes: 1052
  • Shares: 390
  • Comments: 133

Comment on Facebook

It provides for more than produce. It includes, eggs, meat and honey!

Good program. Additionally, I toured the Kelowna Food bank yesterday. They are serving about 12,000 people a month. Lots are working people.

I have seen people at the Saanichton markets asking if vendors take the coupons and being embarrassed when the vendor says no. Are there signs that are placed on the tables so people know who is part of the program and who is not?

You would have a slim choice of meat if you only get $27.00 .

“While it’s unfortunate that programs like this are necessary, I’m grateful they exist to support families and local farmers.”

Food stamps?

This should be made a little more accessible, especially for seniors

What exactly is this and how does it work? I've never heard of it before. How does this get applied to us who it's intended to help?

Christy Sakai its a week and if you to the markets you can get a small bag of carrots 5bucks, a few potatoes, usually a bag of apples are 5 bucks, and in summer you have fruit choices. Yes doesn't seem like alot but it could be stretched at the markets and remember its a week so really ypu going to use the whole bag of carrots in a week, probably not so you have something for the next week. Heads of lettuce 5 bucks. Every little bit does help when it comes to supporting local farmer and family.

This program has helped me afford local produce, as a senior. I am grateful for the assistance and eat a healthier diet.

I have been a working poor and 🙏👍for recognizing the people who deserve a bit of help as they are doing the best they can 😘👍

This sounds a little more complicated to enroll in than it needs to be. A lot of people probably never heard of it, I only did because I read this post.

It is illegal for me to grow a garden . We can all afford to eat if we can grow.

How does a senior apply?

On my smalltown the food bank puts your name in a lottery for this Seniors included in lottery

Here are the general qualifications: Income Threshold: Generally for lower-income households. Some specific, local programs have identified a threshold of $27,000 or less for a single person or under $50,000 per year for a household. Targeted Groups: Participants must be seniors/elders, pregnant individuals, or families with children under 19. Participant Requirements: In addition to income, participants must: Participate in a food literacy program (e.g., cooking, gardening, or food budgeting). Be able to travel to a participating market to shop for themselves. Allocation: Because demand is high, coupons are often prioritized for new participants each year. Important Information: Coupons are not handed out by the BC Farmers' Markets directly. You must connect with a local community partner (such as a food bank, community centre, or neighbourhood house) to apply.

Glad to see this continue. With the increase in cost of living, this program should be increasing, not staying even with last year. Our local food bank is inundated with need.

It’s a great program. Too bad they won’t extend it to Farmstands as well. Some producers can’t make it to market because of work schedules. And there is more than just vegetables out there.

Where do people apply? Thinking of those I know who need this program.

Have you got an email yet?

I wish a person on disability could get the help too :(

What cities have this

I didn’t know that the program existed

Please if you have these coupons do not be embarrassed to use them they are a good as anyone's money to a grower! I would agree it is a slippery slope to have people pay with government coupons but Remember large scale agriculture is subsidized in this country in way that dwarfs this little program. We are all in a sense are paying with coupons at the big supermarket. As a small scale grower grower I can tell you when you see the higher prices at the farmers market, no one is getting rich off you. That is the true cost of food. Yes that should scare you

Excellent work, BC Ministry of Health! 👍👍👍 An amazing program

View more comments

3 weeks ago

KPU researcher Naomi Robert is partnering with Oregon State University's Dry Farming Collaborative to test drought-resilient growing practices across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Working with three market gardeners, the study found tomatoes and zucchini thrived without irrigation. With droughts intensifying across the Pacific Northwest, dry farming offers BC growers practical tools to adapt to a changing climate. The full story appears in our April edition. tinyurl.com/d2fzs#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

KPU researcher Naomi Robert is partnering with Oregon State Universitys Dry Farming Collaborative to test drought-resilient growing practices across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Working with three market gardeners, the study found tomatoes and zucchini thrived without irrigation. With droughts intensifying across the Pacific Northwest, dry farming offers BC growers practical tools to adapt to a changing climate. The full story appears in our April edition. https://tinyurl.com/d2fzs9x6

#BCAg
View Comments
  • Likes: 22
  • Shares: 5
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Subscribe | Advertise

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915
  • Email
  • Facebook

Growers Supply property sold

Deals are being inked on properties owned by the failed BC Tree Fruits Co-op. File photo | Myrna Stark Leader

January 2, 2025 byPeter Mitham

Shukin Orchards Ltd. of Creston is the successful bidder for the Growers Supply Co. property at 754 35th Avenue South in Erickson.

Court documents filed December 30 by Alvarez & Marsal, the court-appointed monitor of proceedings related to the winding down of BC Tree Fruits Co-op, indicate Shukin bid $1.9 million for the property, which had been listed in September for $2.35 million.

Shukin was the sole party to submit an offer on the property, which broker Colliers Canada indicated wasn’t surprising given that Creston is not considered an “active market.”

The property comprises 19.6 acres dominated by an 85,000-square-foot warehouse. The site is zoned for light industrial use as well as agriculture, with the agricultural portion – approximately 11.8 acres – lying within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Alvarez & Marsal’s latest report to the court was silent on prospects for the sale of the cold storage facility on Sexsmith Road in Kelowna leased by Novem Pharmaceuticals Inc. as well as the Oliver packinghouse.

In its report to the court on December 6, Alvarez & Marsal said Novem’s original purchase and sale agreement for the cold storage facility had collapsed.

Novem CEO Colin Davison told Country Life in BC on December 12 that he expected “a revised offer” to be submitted “over the course of the coming days” but declined further comment.

Novem’s lease on the facility runs through April 30.

Alvarez & Marsal reported November 21 that it had yet to receive a going-concern offer for the Oliver packinghouse.

All content on this website is copyrighted, and cannot be republished or reproduced without permission.

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Cherry growers focus on labour

BC Tree Fruits relaunch

Showdown looms over co-op’s surplus

Algoma comes to BC

BC Tree Fruits facility sells

BC orchard sector needs more than sales

New fruit co-op discussed

Co-op assets on the block

BC Tree Fruits shuts down

Stabilization initiative yet to bear fruit

Cherry growers face smaller crop

BC Tree Fruits sells packinghouse site

Previous Post: « ALC members appointed
Next Post: Hort workshops tackle water, pest and disease management »

© 2026 COUNTRY LIFE IN BC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED