To support local growers, people from various industries around Kelowna have teamed up to create a new way of celebrating harvest season, and they're calling it 'Apple Fest.'

Kelowna-based videographer, Jason Chan 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ perhaps better known by his popular Instagram account 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ is one of the people behind the idea for Apple Fest.

After nearly nine decades of consistency, the sudden closure of BC Tree Fruits (BCTF), has left more than 300 growers in the Okanagan 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ with apples that are nearly ready for harvest 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ without a space to store their produce. 

To stop apples from rotting, Apple Fest was created. 

From August 31 until September 8, the Okanagan is invited to support local farming by purchasing locally grown produce.

Twenty-five restaurants cafes, businesses and shops in Kelowna will be participating in the festival by selling locally-grown apples in creative ways. Expect to see apples in entrees, ice cream and cocktails during the week of fruity fun.

After three devastating growing seasons and now the closure of a BCTF, who is a large buyer, processor and storage facility, farmers are struggling. The news of the BCTF closure prompted Chan, Kelowna Farmers Market, and local producers to take action.

BCTF acted not only as the primary buyer for many farming families but also as an important storage facility that slowed the decay of fruits, offering a grace period for negotiations between the coop and buyers. These storage facilities also allowed farmers to have their fruits on tables around the world months after being harvested. 

"Once an apple is harvested from a tree, you have a couple of days to get it in proper cooling," said Jennifer Deol of There and Back Again farms in Kelowna. 

Deol said that with the loss of the BCTF sales negotiation network and storage facilities, many farmers are being forced into hasty mid-season contracts for less money than they were expecting, or are letting their fruit go to waste in the field because they can91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t afford to harvest.

Throughout the week, the Kelowna Farmers Markets will serve as the central hub for the Apple Fest activities. People can buy locally-grown apples from the Kelowna Farmer91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s and Crafters' Market on Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Landmark District and on Sunday mornings on Bernard Avenue.

Also participating are the Penticton Farmers Market on Saturdays, the Vernon Farmers Market on Mondays and Thursdays, and the Peachland Farmers and Crafter's Market on Sundays.

A full list of participating locations and times is available at