About Us

About BC Fruit Works

BC Fruit Works is a collaborative initiative between the BC Cherry Association, BC Fruit Grower’s Association, BC Grapegrowers’ Association, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The program is designed to support domestic workers and producers by improving access to information and resources. By raising awareness and fostering connections, it aims to strengthen BC’s local workforce and the long-term sustainability of the tree fruit and wine grape sectors.

The intent of this program is to support the future of hiring Canadians to work in BC orchards and vineyards.

Video Series: Work, Support, & Opportunity in BC Agriculture

Project Roadmap

2025

  • Discontinue job-matching services.
  • Expand engagement and outreach to help producers and workers access the resources they need to succeed.

2024

  • Explore changes in communication and engagement strategies.
  • Emphasis on quality of hire and placement through thorough check-ins and feedback mechanisms.

2023

  • Expansion of outreach efforts to attract more Canadian job seekers.
  • Due to the initial success, there was a full-scale launch in February 2023 for job matching.
  • Mid-season check-ins to assess progress and address any issues.

2022

  • Launch of BC Fruit Works pilot program in the summer.
  • Collaboration agreements formalized with BC Cherry Association, BC Fruit Grower’s Association, BC Grape Growers’ Association, BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
  • Recruitment drive for farm workers begins.

A few words from the people who made it happen:

BC Fruit Works is part of our government’s Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization initiative as we look at ways to coordinate various agencies through an industry labour strategy. This collaborative approach is strengthening the B.C. tree-fruit and wine sector, and ensuring their delicious and high-quality products will continue to get into the hands of consumers this summer and in the future.

Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture and Food

The BC Fruit Works program has the potential to shift our fruit industries into a more organized, collaborative unit, ensuring more efficient communication and feedback on the casual workforce that we require to operate as a successful industry. It’s a much-needed step toward stabilizing our labour issues throughout all fruit sectors.

John Bayley, Former President, BC Grapegrowers’ Association

The new BC Fruit Works program represents the future for hiring Canadians to work in B.C. orchards. It includes an app that is elegant and simple to use for both growers and people looking for summer work picking fruit in the Okanagan sunshine.

Sukhpaul Bal, President, BC Cherry Association

The BCFGA is happy to be included in the creation and implementation of this project as the representatives of fruit growers across the province. BC Fruit Works had a dedicated team of creative and energetic people working on this project, and I am looking forward to seeing how it builds and grows now that it is being used within the industry.

Annelise Simonsen, Director, BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA)