Fruit growers convene in Saskatoon

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Saskatchewan fruit growers gathering at their upcoming annual conference will be pleased to know that the latest statistics show Canadians are adding more fresh fruit to their diets.

Statistics Canada reports that the average Canadian consumes almost 40 kilograms of fresh fruit a year. That’s over four kilograms a year more than a decade ago.

Charon Blakley, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association, is not surprised.

“I think there is going to be even more research showing the health benefits of fruit,” said Blakley.

Fruit consumption continues to increase, and so does the number of fruit producers in Saskatchewan. Blakley is expecting attendance at the two-day conference to be over 200.

The conference, January 12 and 13 at the Heritage Inn in Saskatoon, features well over a dozen speakers on a wide variety of topics.

“The agenda is very balanced, whether you are an established grower or just beginning, there is something for you, right from the latest research on fruit production to adding value to the fruit grown” said Blakley.

One of the highlights of the conference will be a preview of a new manual for growing saskatoons. The manual has been in the works for some time, and will not be released until later in the spring, but the authors will share some of the material at the conference.

Another session, entitled “Can An Apple A Day (Alone) Really Keep the Doctor Away?,” will examine a growing body of evidence that suggests that consumption of some types of fruit renders specific health benefits which are key, not only to health, wellness and beauty, but also to disease intervention and prevention.

Canadians must think there is some benefit to an apple a day. Statistics Canada says apples accounted for one-fifth of fresh fruit consumption, with each Canadian consuming 7.6 kilograms of apples each year on average.

Blakley predicts Saskatchewan’s apple crop will continue to expand as well as other crops, such as cherries, haskaps (blue honeysuckle), saskatoons and raspberries.

“More and more acres are being planted to fruit. We have a lot of good varieties that grow in Saskatchewan,” said Blakley.

For more details on the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association and the annual conference, go to www.saskfruit.com.

For more information, contact:

Charon Blakley, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
Phone: (306) 743-5333
E-mail: cas.lyn@sasktel.net