Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - Karen Davidson

The Johnston family who operate Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery near Bala, Ontario has invested in a new packing line to improve quality of fresh cranberries, a niche product representing 10 per cent of their entire harvest.

Friday, October 25, 2024 - Karen Davidson

It’s a complicated journey from picking apples in the orchard to final packaging for the retail customer. One of the components is applying a price look-up (PLU) sticker to bulk fruits. That seemingly simple step may change as the global industry strives towards industrially compostable PLU stickers.

Friday, September 27, 2024 - Karen Davidson

Butternut squash growers Tracy and Pete Gubbels survey their crop near Mount Brydges, Ontario, pointing out that contracted tonnage fell 60 per cent in 2024. The processing vegetable sector is vulnerable to not only climate change but overseas competition.

Sunday, August 25, 2024 - Karen Davidson

Jocelyn Gibouleau, Les Productions Margiric, is testing iceless broccoli, thanks to an innovation of Verdant Technologies. The HarvestHold Fresh sheet contains 1-MCP, packed at the bottom of each box to slow down the respiration rate. Matt Aronson, Verdant Technologies and Tom Pierce, Sobeys, join him in the field in Laval, Québec to track broccoli from the field to a Sobeys distribution centre and store.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - Karen Davidson

Sukhdeep Brar, a second-generation cherry, peach and apple grower, is learning another skill: standing up for his tree fruit industry in the face of climate change. Battered by several years of extreme weather, Brar is helping to rally the 180 members of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association in his role as vice-president.

Monday, May 27, 2024 - Shawn Brenn

Shawn Brenn, chair, OFVGA, cites a long list of barriers that are pinching growth in the horticultural sector. They include: carbon taxes, high interest rates, regulatory challenges at all levels.