Agreement will help secure the future of Okanagan & Similkameen Farmers
July 18, 2023, Kelowna, British Columbia – The Star Group, BB #:134817 via its Consolidated Fruit Packers (CFP) division, announced today it will partner with Harker’s Organics, a fifth generation, family-owned farm and organics wholesaler, to market and distribute high-quality certified organic Okanagan and Similkameen tree fruit across Canada and to international export markets.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with such a tremendous partner in Harker’s, as well as with their talented and dedicated growers,” said Dariel Trottier, President of CFP. “The market for high-quality organics is strong; people around the world are looking for delicious, BC-grown fruit and we are very pleased to be adding Harker’s top-quality produce into the mix.”
The marketing and distribution partnership will focus on Harker’s apples, pears, squash, potatoes and stone fruit.
“With distribution centres in all three western provinces and the added capabilities of Star’s expert teams, this partnership will allow us to drive far more business impact for our customers and create efficiencies for our farmers,” said Harker’s owner Troy Harker. “Together, working as one team, we will bring our sectors and knowledge together, placing our customers on the best path for success in domestic tree fruit supply, adding security to the Canadian food system.”
“This collaboration supports our mandate to create economically sustainable agriculture and business practices by creating a secure, sustainable food system. This will help ensure the future of multi-generational organic farms,” said Sara Harker, co-owner of Harker’s Organics. “By partnering and benefitting from Star’s expertise, advanced technologies and expansive logistics infrastructure we believe we can enhance the value, consistency and time-to-market that customers have come to expect from our team of amazing growers.”
The two organizations will begin working together for the 2023 growing season.
“Our core values are passion, persistence and teamwork,” continued Trottier, “and we truly believe these values are shared by the whole Harker’s family. We look forward to working together to bring their exceptional produce to customers across Canada and around the world.”
About The Star Group
The Star Group strives to be the most innovative team in produce with an unwavering commitment to value and taste. With positions in all aspects of the fresh produce industry including imports, primary production, value-add, logistics, distribution and marketing, The Star Group distributes fruits, vegetables and prepared foods across Canada and around the world. Consolidated Fruit Packers, a division of the Star Group, partners with growers in the Okanagan Valley area, providing the very best in B.C fruit to domestic and international markets. The Star Group was founded in 1989 and now employs more than 800 in offices in Canada, the US and Mexico.
About Harker’s Organics
Located in Cawston, the heart of the Organic Farming Capital of Canada in British Columbia’s stunning Similkameen Valley, this fifth generation family farm and wholesaler is owned and operated by Troy and Sara Harker. They offer a number of value-added entities on their farm with an organic fruit market, bistro, winery and cidery and some new exciting agritourism ventures. Their passion to support the entire industry forms the core of their business practices, creating value added entities and bringing healthy and delicious fruits to markets around the world while showcasing this incredible region.
