Fruit growers in British Columbia, Canada, centered in the Okanagan Valley but with sizeable operations in the Similkameen and Creston valleys and other regions, enjoy natural barriers that have limited the spread of pests and disease and fostered strong regional identities backed up by myriad local packing houses. But in 2007, in order to make the industry more competitive, members of the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association backed a reorganization plan to consolidate the province’s four cooperative packing houses under the banner of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative. The number of packing lines would be cut, and surplus facilities sold. Proceeds […]