BC Tree Fruits: The Apple Turns 75

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 20, 2011) - Apples, cherries, peaches, and many other fruits grown in the Okanagan are blowing out their candles as BC Tree Fruits celebrates a milestone birthday. Seventy-five years ago, on July 21, 1936 a group of dedicated farmers came together with a goal to provide the finest tree fruits worldwide. From that first planted seed grew a co-operative of 800 producers that continues today.

The BC Tree Fruits name and iconic leaf logo are a welcome and familiar sight, synonymous with the finest tree fruits to be found on and from the earth. More than just trademark apples, BC Tree Fruits are celebrating the other fruits they produce annually including: pears, cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and prune plums. Each piece of fruit with the trademark leaf logo on it signifies it was grown under BC Tree Fruits strict quality control that has been implemented through the generations of local farmers.

"We're proud to be a leader supplying fresh delicious BC Tree Fruits products throughout Western Canada and thank our loyal consumers for their growing support over the past 75 years," stated Rick Austin Director of Sales and Marketing for BC Tree Fruits.

To celebrate the anniversary, BC Tree Fruits will be hosting a reception in the Okanagan orchard's back door amongst growers, supporters, families, politicians and media. The event will be hosted in conjunction with the Kelowna museum and held at the Laurel Packinghouse on August 4th, 2011. The Kelowna Museum will have a photo exhibit showcasing BC Tree Fruits and the growers throughout the decades.

BC Tree Fruits will be celebrating the 75^th anniversary for the 2011-2012 tree fruit production and harvest seasons. Additional events for the public and industry in particular during the anticipated apple harvest and apple month in February will be taking place.

About BC Tree Fruits:

BC Tree Fruits, one of the largest apples shippers in North America is part of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative, is owned by over 800 local grower families. The organization markets and distributes a variety of BC-grown fruit including apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, prune plums and blueberries. BC Tree Fruits' head office is based in Kelowna, B.C.