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Millions in replant money for Okanagan fruit growers only a small part of the solution

This week’s announcement that the province is kicking $70 million more into agricultural replant programs is welcome news, especially for the wine industry.

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New Kelowna bakery serving authentic European bread

Alchemy Bread Company is a locally owned bakery with a mission to bring authentic European bread to Kelowna. And their new permanent location at Polene Bakery & Bistro is doing just that from Bernard Avenue. 

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Farmland values drop in Okanagan and stay flat Thompson-Nicola: report

The selling price of Canadian farmland grew by 11.3% last year.

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BC to provide $70M in support for devastated fruit and wine industry

The BC government has put $70 million towards helping fruit growers replant crops and become climate resilient after devastating cold weather.

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Oliver winery receives highest honour at Canadian Wine Industry Awards

Oliver's Burrowing Owl Estate Winery took home the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction during the 2024 Wine Industry Awards ceremony last night.

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This Okanagan farm can grow softball-sized peaches. This year they'll rely on vegetables

One of the first indicators of how bountiful a fruit harvest will be in British Columbia comes months before any peaches, apricots or nectarines start fattening on trees.

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Kelowna's only traditional English restaurant closes its doors

Kelowna's only traditional English eatery has shuttered with the owners blaming tough economic times.

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'Clean slate' to reshape BC wine industry after climate-related catastrophes

The heart of British Columbia's wine industry is reeling after suffering a litany of climate-related hits, resulting in two years of crop losses in the southern Interior.

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No shortage of places to enjoy tacos and burritos in Kamloops

There will soon be three more places for Mexican food lovers to stop for a bite at in Kamloops, two on the North Shore and one out in Valleyview.

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Okanagan apple growers consider marketing commission to sell their fruit

While Okanagan apple growers didn't experience the same kind of killing damage that January’s cold snap dealt to grapes and soft fruit, the industry has been struggling for years with low prices.

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Farm Credit Canada offering helping hand to hard hit Okanagan fruit and grape growers

While it’s not a cash handout, Farm Credit Canada is offering some easing of payments to Okanagan growers hit by January’s deep freeze.

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High-tech farming coming to 200 acres of Okanagan orchard

The City of Kelowna is partnering with a tech company to bring drones and robots to the local agricultural industry.

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iN PHOTOS: Orchard expansion in Okanagan stirs fears a key wildlife corridor will be harmed

KELOWNA, British Columbia (AP) — Just below the fog line hanging over the central Okanagan Valley, rows of saplings for a cherry orchard expansion span the eastern stretch above Highway 33 on the outskirts of Kelowna in Canada's wine country.

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iN PHOTOS: Have a look inside state-of-the-art fruit packing plant in South Okanagan

Okanagan-Similkameen regional district politicians got a chance to have a look inside the new, state-of-the-art fruit packing facility in Oliver recently and shared some of the photos.

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BC Government lays out plan for devastated fruit, food producers

The BC Government can't say how much, if any money will be set aside specifically for fruit growers that sustained heavy losses for the third year in a row, but it's going to help them prepare for more wild changes in weather in the future.

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Fruit growers face tough decisions on foreign labour after losses

The Okanagan fruit industry is heavily dependent on thousands of temporary foreign workers in order to get the crop growing properly and harvested.

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Dreaming of summer peaches? Some gardening tips for growing a peach tree in many climates

I planted my first peach tree last June, five months before Pantone named Peach Fuzz the 2024 color of the year. How serendipitous!

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Kelowna's Olympia Greek Taverna rises from the ashes today

One of Kelowna's favourite restaurants, Olympia Greek Taverna, is set to reopen for takeout and delivery orders today.

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Penticton chamber asks for more thought on travel bans ahead of wildfire season

Businesses in Penticton are asking the provincial government to avoid economic hardship caused by unnecessary travel bans this wildfire season.

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Innovative bottle design saves tons of glass a year at Summerland winery

With carbon footprints and organic produce being at the forefront of most consumer’s minds, one Okanagan winery is going the extra mile to make sure its practices are sustainable.

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Importing grapes may save the Okanagan wine industry

Okanagan grape growers and winery owners – who are often the same people – are looking for innovative ways to keep the industry alive despite losing the entire 2024 crop to this winter’s deep freeze.

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Popular Kamloops macaron maker opens brick-and-mortar bakery

A well-known macaron maker in Kamloops got the keys to a storefront location earlier this week and the next big step for her growing business.

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Growing grapes in Okanagan is 'like Russian roulette' these days: winemaker

It’s clear that the 2024 wine grape crop has been destroyed by cold weather throughout the Okanagan.

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Passionate chef brings healthy from scratch meal options to Kamloops

A Kamloops chef who's passionate about health has launched a new business and is offering nutritious and delicious whole food meals.

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Up to 80% of Okanagan peach crop wiped out by winter cold snap

The cold snap in the southern Interior earlier this winter wiped out roughly three-quarters of stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums and nectarines.

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Don’t count Okanagan wine industry out just because this year’s crop is gone

Lovers of Okanagan VQA wines may already be noticing declines in their favourite flavours in local liquor stores.

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Okanagan grape harvest wiped out for 2024

Five days of extremely cold weather in January killed just about every wine grape bud in the Okanagan.

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January deep freeze devastated BC Southern Interior cherry crop

Cherry growers in the Southern Interior fear a deep freeze earlier this year will greatly reduce cherry crops this coming season.

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Liquor agency tight-lipped on why Okanagan wines will soon disappear in Alberta

The Alberta government agency responsible for liquor and cannabis is tight-lipped about why it has chosen to suddenly cut out most if not all, BC wines from its shelves.

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Beloved Kelowna soup and sandwich shop offers new tasting experience

A popular soup and sandwich restaurant in Kelowna is offering something fun, delicious and innovative, and soup lovers might want to check it out.

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Alberta’s attack on Okanagan wines may open other doors for the industry

Alberta delivered a harsh blow to Okanagan wineries last month by banning them from selling in its liquor stores if they also ship wines directly to customers.

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Alberta government won't stock BC wines that sell direct to consumers

EDMONTON - An interprovincial wine war is fermenting after Alberta's liquor wholesaler told vintners in British Columbia that it won't stock their products in retail stores unless they stop shipping it directly to consumers.

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Drastic changes needed as Okanagan wine industry faces 'existential crisis'

The Okanagan wine industry urgently needs to re-invent itself on a scale not seen for decades, according to a wine industry consultant.

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Coffee and sustainability: How coffee shops in Kelowna are changing the game

The coffee scene in Kelowna is being redefined by a few roasters who are putting quality coffee and sustainability at the forefront of their businesses.

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The face of farming is changing in West Kelowna

Jennay Oliver is one of West Kelowna’s most prominent farmers, known for her dedication to the local community, quality produce and maintaining her 105-year-old family-owned farm.

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Kelowna farmer wants to grow dandelions and other plants

Dandelions may be the bane of those who don't want to see them in the lawns and gardens but a Southeast Kelowna orchardist and farmer wants to grow them for their roots and leaves.

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Domes and diversity keep West Kelowna winery busy during industry's dark days

Just because a quarter of the Okanagan wineries are up for sale doesn’t mean it’s tough times for them all.

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Warm up with these hot chocolate festivals in Kamloops, Okanagan

Hot chocolate festivals are heating up in Kamloops and the Okanagan where foodies can sample unique, chocolatey creations at restaurants and cafes for a whole month.

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iN VIDEO: Nearly 25% of Okanagan wineries are listed for sale

Devastating winter vine kills are just part of the reason why more than 50 wineries are for sale in the Okanagan – about one-quarter of the total number.

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Frigid Arctic air delivers another blow to Okanagan wine industry

There’s a good chance that the frigid temperatures this past weekend were even more harmful to Okanagan grape vines than last winter.

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Cold snap expected to wield another devastating blow to Okanagan wine industry

With an Arctic front forecast to descend on the Okanagan this week it could do massive damage to already hard-hit grape vines.

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Okanagan growers and gardeners nervous about coming cold snap

This is not the way it’s supposed to be.

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Some restaurants in Okanagan, Kamloops hope you'll 'dine around'

Dine Around BC is returning this year with dozens of dining options in Kamloops and the Okanagan as restaurants face the traditionally slow time of the year following the holidays.

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Kamloops couple joins non-alcoholic beverage trend with new mocktail business

Kamloops residents can now easily access, experience, and enjoy a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages thanks to a couple who saw a gap in the market and worked to fill it.

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Winter garlic? It's still growing in bizarre Kamloops, Okanagan winter

Garlic has started to grow in Kamloops and the Okanagan due to an unseasonably warm start to the winter, leaving many gardeners wondering if a cold snap will kill the bulbous flowering plants and ruin this year’s harvest.

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Why there may not be any Okanagan ice wine this winter

While the warm winter to date is not good for ice wine it’s not actually the reason why there may not be any produced in the Okanagan this season.

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Add an old English twist to your holiday cocktails with sloe gin. Here are 4 recipes

LONDON (AP) — Sloe gin is a festive old English drink that's especially well-suited to the winter holidays. You can drink it over ice, try it in a cocktail, or forage for sloe berries and make a home batch.

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An old cookbook from Merritt gives a glimpse of the past for some new holiday recipes

If you’re looking for a new holiday recipe you might want to try some historical cookbooks.

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Vernon cook finds community love for the flavours of Ethiopia

A Vernon woman has been cooking authentic Ethiopian foods and sharing it with friends and family for several years, and this year she expanded the fresh food offerings to the greater community.

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Okanagan’s first Asian-style self-serve ramen bar

A Vernon bubble tea shop recently introduced a novelty lunch option, a self-serve ramen bar.

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Survey says eggnog the holiday beverage of choice in BC

Not everyone will agree, and it may even spark arguments, but according to a recent survey, British Columbians say egg nog is their holiday beverage of choice.

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Appetite for young Kamloops entrepreneur's sweet baked treats on the rise

A new baking business is booming in Kamloops, and the father and son team behind it are racing to keep up to demand for their tasty baked treats.

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Holiday fruitcake, yes or no? Kamloops, Okanagan foodies can't agree

Some people love spiced cake and some love candied fruit, but not everyone can agree that eating the two together is delicious.

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Kamloops pubs and nightclubs get New Year's gift from city council

The parties in Kamloops will carry on into the wee morning hours this New Year's Eve.

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Newcomers to Okanagan shocked by Canada's tipping culture

Gas stations and corner stores in Kamloops and across the Okanagan are starting to cash in on a nationwide tipping craze by adding the option to their card machines. This is on top of the substantial tipping percentage expected at most restaurants now.

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Get into the holiday spirit at festive food and wine events in Kamloops, Okanagan

There are many opportunities to gather together to enjoy food, drinks and Christmas treats while the weather is chilly in Kamloops and throughout the Okanagan this coming weekend.

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Meeting high demand for Christmas turkeys challenging farmers in Kamloops, Okanagan

If you want a free run, locally grown turkey for your Christmas table you might want to hustle to get your order in. Some organic farmers in Kamloops and the Okanagan are struggling to keep up with demand.

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Four Okanagan diners make national top 100 list

Four Okanagan restaurants made OpenTable Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants list this year, three in Kelowna and one in Oliver.

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Kootenay teacher wins Great Canadian Baking Show with flavours from his backyard

A school teacher from Creston baked his way to the first prize place on season seven of The Great Canadian Baking Show.

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Bitter reality of the sugar shortage for Okanagan businesses

As the Rogers Sugar refinery strike in Vancouver continues into is seventh week, the future is starting to look a little less sweet for Okanagan bakeries.

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Summerland winery group transitions to renewable natural gas

Okanagan’s Crush Pad Winery group have made the switch to 100% renewable natural gas.

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Poll finds poutine is the Canadian dish of choice in BC

The Québécois delicacy poutine has topped the list of food preferences in BC, according to a recent survey.

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Capitalizing on a trend, Kelowna's first sober bar prepares to open

Two local Kelowna businesses are collaborating to launch SOBAR, the city’s first zero proof wine and cocktail bar, due to open in less than a month.

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iN PHOTOS: Take a look inside this retro 1950s diner near Kamloops

Have you ever wanted to step back in time to the 1950s? Think James Dean, motorcycle clubs, jukeboxes, Rock 'n Roll and burger franchises.

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Peachland's liquor store warned after selling alcohol to a minor

A liquor store in Peachland got off with a warning after an employee was caught selling alcohol to a minor.

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Kelowna brewery boasts best gluten-free brews in Canada

A Kelowna craft brewery apparently makes the best gluten-free beer in Canada since it has won gold, silver and bronze medals at a national competition.

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More than half the Okanagan's restaurants can't make ends meet

More than half of the country’s restaurants and food service businesses are operating at a loss or barely breaking even, but it's an even more dire situation for restaurants in the Okanagan.

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2024 BC Winery Dogs calendar has been uncorked

From greeting guests to scaring away pests – dogs have earned a place for themselves at many BC wineries.

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How some Okanagan wineries are tackling climate change

Climate change presents a whole host of issues for the Okanagan’s wine industry.

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Bartenders take the spotlight as cocktail contest returns to Kelowna

An Okanagan cocktail contest is returning for the first time since the pandemic.

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Penticton brewery wins two gold medals at Canada Beer Cup

Penticton's Tin Whistle Brewing won two gold medals at the Canada Beer Cup earlier this week.

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Kelowna fruit soda manufacturer wins provincial sustainability award

Kelowna-based Farming Karma Fruit Co. has won a provincial beverage industry award for its sustainability efforts.

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Too much harvest? Don't dump it, donate it to those in need in Kamloops, Okanagan

It is harvest time and that means there is an abundance of fruit and vegetables growing in farms, gardens and orchards in Kamloops and the throughout the Okanagan Valley.

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South Okanagan winery scaling back in midst of overwhelming challenges

Oliver’s Covert Farms Family Estate has announced it will be largely scaling back its operations effective immediately.

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Craft beer, gaming and music festivals kick off in Okanagan and Kamloops this weekend

With so many events and festivals happening in Kamloops and the Okanagan this coming weekend there should be something to suit everyone’s interests.

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Why this Kamloops gardener is a big fan of the cucumelon

Lee Hunt is a gardener in Kamloops who grows and produces an uncommon fruit called a cucamelon, and this week she handed out bags of them to people who want to try them for the first time.

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Pumpkin spice eggnog? Kamloops's Blackwell Dairy has you covered

Blackwell Dairy Farm in Kamloops has just released a new pumpkin spice eggnog just in time for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

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Canneries had a short but vital heyday in Kamloops, Okanagan

When you think of agriculture in Kamloops, the mind turns to hay and cattle.

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How Pandosy's mission inadvertently made the Okanagan a wine capital

Wine is a word synonymous with the Okanagan, yet its origin story remains shrouded in controversy. 

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Kelowna craft distillery sells for $3.8 million

A distillery in Kelowna has sold for $3.8 million.

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Okanagan Fall Wine Festival returns a bit later than usual

The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is returning later than usual with wineries participating all across the Okanagan.

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Shuswap farmer and volunteer delivered free corn to evacuees during wildfire crisis

A farmer in the Shuswap donated over 600 cobs of fresh corn to people impacted by the Bush Creek East wildfire with the help of a retired RCMP officer.

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SMOOTH AND AGED: Penticton restaurateur now making his own sake

Penticton restaurant owner Tatsuo Kan opened the first sake brewery in the Okanagan and now he has a permit to bring the freshly brewed rice wine out of the tasting room and straight to his customers in the dining room.

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Sports, art, farming and fungus: So many things to see and do this weekend in Kamloops, Okanagan

With beautiful autumn weather and the harvest in full swing in the Okanagan and Kamloops, there are many events happening in September it could be hard to decide which one to attend.

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Pest that caused $1 billion in damages to US corn found in North Okanagan

A pest that caused $1 billion worth of damages in the U.S. midwest corn industry has just been found in the North Okanagan.

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Tomato lovers and experts to celebrate at Kamloops festival

Juicy, colourful and even oddly-shaped tomatoes are at the centre of the Kamloops Tomato Festival this fall. The annual one-day festival is expanding to a week-long celebration of tomatoes this year complete with competitions, crafts and presentations by several community groups.

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Permanent indoor space in works for a relocated Kelowna Farmers’ Market

Not only is Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market going to get a new home in the Landmark Centre next spring for its outdoor events, a permanent indoor venue is also in its future.

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Growing trend for Okanagan wineries to stop waiving tasting fees

Logan Saunders has done 22 wine tastings in the past year in Lake Country, Kelowna, Oliver and Osoyoos on three different tours with his friends.

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B.C.'s agriculture industry at forefront of climate change reality

CALGARY - With more than 400 active wildfires still burning in B.C. and many residents yet to return to their homes, it's too early to know the fate of the province's honeybees.

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Ashcroft ranch giving away 50,000 lbs of cantaloupes for free

Desert Hills Ranch is giving away 50,000 pounds of cantaloupes that would have otherwise been dumped.

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Entrepreneur spreads her love of locally-sourced charcuterie to Penticton

The owner of a new booming charcuterie business near Keremeos has announced she's expanding her specialty meat and cheese service to foodies in Penticton.

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Interior Health temporarily shutters Penticton pizzeria

A Penticton pizzeria was ordered to close earlier this month because of public health concerns.

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Farmers not backing down on Kamloops irrigation shutdown

Westsyde Kamloops farmers were told their city-run irrigation would be shut off by the end of this season, leaving their crops to dry over the next season or forcing exorbitant costs upon them.

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Rutland restaurant dishes up authentic Latin American eats and treats

An eatery in Rutland is busy this summer dishing out authentic Latin American favourites like tamales, tacos, churros and empanadas.

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Oliver Wine Village has a winery for sale

There’s a chance to own a slice of the District Wine Village in Oliver.

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Community responds after general store near Kamloops hit with costly crime

A familiar and respected community store near Kamloops was broken into and vandalized last month and the community around it is working to help recoup the $20K in theft and damages.

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Randy's Cheeseburger Picnic coming through Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton

Randy from Trailer Park Boys is taking his Cheeseburger Picnic on tour across Western Canada, and he’s announced stops in Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton.

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'Covert op' catches BC restaurant selling beer to-go without food

Another BC restaurant has been caught in a sting operation selling beer to-go without a meal.

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Mounted wine tours are now a thing in Keremeos

Some of the guests at Similkameen wineries have been arriving via horseback.

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Why the BC CDC is warning you to wash your fruits and vegetables

There is an increase in gastrointestinal infections in the province this year and it’s linked to imported produce and travelling.

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