September is
SOS Apple Fest
month in the
South Okanagan
& Similkameen

We’re sending out an SOS because local farmers really need everyone’s help. In recent years there have been devastating weather events, wildfires, and recently the BC Tree Fruits Co-op closed down, causing more chaos and uncertainty for our farmers and orchardists.

Penticton Farmers’ Market can’t ‘fix’ these problems, but we wanted to offer everyone at least the chance to do something to help, so here’s what you can do:

  • Individuals

    Buy locally-grown apples and then post on Instagram or Facebook how you enjoy them. Tag @PentictonFarmersMarket & #SOSAppleFest and we'll share to our thousands of followers to try to get a buzz going throughout September and beyond

  • Restaurants

    Add menu items that use locally-grown apples and tell us about them. Tag @PentictonFarmersMarket and #SOSAppleFest in posts on Instagram or Facebook, and we'll share to our followers and add you to a map on our website

  • Businesses

    Whatever type of business you are, think of a way to use or share locally-grown apples (maybe give them out to customers!). Let us know on Instagram or Facebook by tagging @PentictonFarmersMarket and #SOSAppleFest, and we'll share

  • Teachers

    Can you come up with ways to get locally-grown apples into the classrooms? We know that many of you are very creative with lesson plans. Tag #SOSAppleFest & @PentictonFarmersMarket on Instagram or Facebook so we can share your ideas

  • Orchardists & Farmers

    If you are selling locally-grown apples, drop us an email or tag #SOSAppleFest & @PentictonFarmersMarket on IG/FB. Tell us what varieties, when, and where. Be as specific as possible and we'll add you to our, "Where To Find Local Apples," map

  • SOS Apple Fest Day

    Our market on Saturday 28th September will be a big apple-themed event. There will be lots of apple varieties for sale, as well as apple juice, ciders, spirits made from local apples, plus baked goods, preserves, and crafts that celebrate this wonderful fruit

Let’s all do our bit to help our local orchardists and farmers.

They are our neighbours and the people who grow our food.

Right now they need our support more than ever, so let’s make SOS Apple Fest a time to buy lots of locally-grown apples and more generally just buy locally-grown or raised food whenever possible.

Wherever you shop, ask for locally-grown. If they don’t have locally-grown, ask why not.

Retailers like to keep their customers happy, so if enough push for locally-grown, this is what retailers will sell.

We may not have the power to fix all the problems our farmers are facing, but we can make things a bit better by choosing their produce whenever we can..