Growers make their stand
Partap and Kam Sandhu opened their produce stand, S.S. Orchard, located at 960 By-Pass Rd. in Keremeos, in response to increasing customer demand.
“Our customers encouraged us to have a stand. My husband built it and we opened it in 2014,” Kam said.
The 450-square-metre structure is the result of years of selling produce first under a roadside umbrella and then from the family home.
“We did it step-by-step as money became available. It was a struggle,” Kam said.
The key to their continuing success is building a large following of satisfied customers.
Partap and Kam sell only fruit and vegetables they have grown on their own property. Their motto is: fresh produce at reasonable prices.
“This is where I come all the time,” said Keremeos resident Richard Johnson.
Johnson’s dedication began a few years ago when Partap picked ears of corn fresh from the field specifically for him.
S.S customers can choose from an impressive array of fruits and vegetables.
Tree fruits include numerous varieties of apples, peaches, nectarine, pears, prunes and cherries.
“We make our own fruit juice —no additives or water, just pure juice – and dry our own fruit,” Kam said.
Cherry juice made from Lapin, Skeena and Christina plus numerous other varieties is the most popular.
Among the many dozens of vegetables, tomatoes and pickling cucumbers are in highest demand.
Customers can also enjoy samosas, fruit shakes and pies made by Kam and purchase honey, treats, spices and ice cream from other producers.
Originally from the Punjab region of India, Partap and Kam currently own 52 acres of farmland associated with the produce stand.
“We bought our first 26 acres in 1997,” Kam said.
Last year they built a small greenhouse in which to start peppers and tomatoes.
“That way we don’t have to buy bedding plants,” Kam said.
The Sandhus recently sold 10 acres in Cawston because of the distance involved and difficulties in securing suitable farm help.
Finding and keeping help is a continuing problem for Partap and Kam, as it is for most other area farmers.
The couple employ three men from Mexico under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Plan and one Canadian full-time during the season, and up to 20 labourers, primarily from Quebec, at cherry harvest.
“From the end of November until February when the Mexicans return my husband and a local man do the pruning and other necessary work,” Kam said.
S.S. Orchard sells both wholesale and retail.
“Our customers come from everywhere – Alberta, the coast, Spain, Japan,” Kam said.
Customers often ask why she doesn’t open earlier in the season.
“We open the stand only when my fruit is ready,” Kam said.
Concerned that some local vendors purchase fruit from Washington State, repackage it and sell it as Canadian fruit, she asked, “Why can’t they support Canadian farmers?”
The couple derive considerable satisfaction from producing high quality food for their customers and having such a good place in which to raise their two children.
“My husband enjoys farm work and I enjoy my customers. I like to keep busy,” Kam said.
She also works as a nursing assistant for Interior Health in Keremeos.
Their son, Pawandeep, 23, is studying computer science at UBCO while working fulltime for the Downtown Kelowna Association.
“He still helps us when he comes home,” Kam said.
Manreet, 20, helps her mother at the produce stand.
S.S Orchard is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week during the season.
For information call 250-499-8089 or email kami.sandhu@hotmail.com
Susan McIver is a Penticton writer with a keen interest in agriculture. She can be reached by faxing the Herald at (250) 492-2403.