Following a review of its manufacturing footprint, Lassonde is transitioning certain operations at its Kelowna facility, specifically beverage packaging, to other facilities within its Canadian network, including Calgary, Toronto and Rougemont. Approximately 80 employees will be impacted by this decision. The transition will take place in phases through December 2026.

“This was a tough decision to make, and we fully understand how difficult it will be for our employees, their families and the communities impacted,” says  Isabelle Nadeau, director of communications, Lassonde Industries. “We want to be clear: Lassonde will keep producing snacks and processing apples at the Kelowna facility, and we will continue buying local apples. The Okanagan valley produces among the best apples in the world, and we are keeping them as part of our supply chain. We will also be reaching out shortly to the BC Fruit Growers’ Association to answer questions and reiterate our plans. As a proudly Canadian company with more than a century of history, Lassonde will continue to invest in and strengthen its Canadian manufacturing network."

The BC Fruit Growers' Association (BCFGA) is deeply concerned by the decision of Lassonde Industries to end Sun-Rype’s beverage packing operations at its Kelowna facility — the same plant that the association helped found in 1946 as BC Fruit Processing Ltd. to capture value from Okanagan-grown fruit.

“We acknowledge that apple processing and snack production will continue, retaining approximately135 jobs at the site,” says Deep Brar, president, BCFGA. “However, the relocation of juice packing operations to facilities in Alberta, Ontario and Québec represents a potential significant loss of local processing capacity — and raises serious questions about the long-term outlet security for BC tree fruit growers.

Without sufficient local juicing capacity, process-grade fruit that would otherwise have moved through these channels now has limited alternatives. In the near term, that could mean increased volumes directed to lower-value uses — or worse, landfill.”

BC growers are already navigating a globally competitive market, rising input costs, labour pressures, and increasing climate volatility. 

The BCFGA remains committed to working with industry, government, and community partners to secure processing outlets for BC-grown fruit and to build a more resilient, locally anchored supply chain.

Source: Lassonde Industries April 16, 2026 news release, BC Fruit Growers’ Association April 17, 2026 newsletter