BC's Stone Fruits Crisis: An Unexpected Challenge
British Columbia has been hit hard this year by an unexpected stone fruits crisis. While cherries have managed to survive the harsh conditions, peaches and plums have virtually disappeared from the farmers markets. This shortage stems from a devastating cold snap that struck the Okanagan orchards earlier this year, wiping out the peach and plum harvests. The repercussions of this event could affect the region's fruit harvests for years to come.
According to a recent news article, the damage caused by the cold snap was unprecedented. The loss is a stark reminder of the delicate balance our food system relies on and the increasing impact of climate change on agriculture.
In Japan, there’s a saying, "Peaches and chestnuts are three years, persimmons are eight years," which refers to the time it takes for these trees to bear fruit. Peach trees typically take three years to produce fruit. Unfortunately, the Okanagan orchards may need at least this long to recover, meaning the shortage of peaches and plums could extend beyond just this season.
At Mæst Food, the impact of this crisis hit close to home as I was planning to serve a dish featuring stone fruits for our latest dinner popup event(The first photo). Initially, I believed the lack of plums and peaches at the farmers markets was a temporary delay. However, as I waited and monitored updates from local farmers, it became clear that the situation was far more severe. One farmer's post confirmed the worst: they wouldn’t have any peaches or plums this year due to the loss of their fruit trees.
Climate change is not just a distant, abstract issue; it’s here, affecting our local farms and our food. The cold snap that caused the devastation in the Okanagan is a direct result of these changing weather patterns, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices and resilience in our agricultural systems.
Adapting to these changes is crucial. For our planned dish of heirloom tomatoes and fruits with herbs, I had intended to use the sweet, juicy flavor of peaches. With none available, I’ve decided to substitute blueberries instead. Cherries are almost end of season so this is a secure choice.(The last photo) is for a breakfast and lunch at Modus cafe popup.
While it’s a change from the original plan, it’s a delicious and locally available alternative that allows us to still celebrate the summer’s bounty.
This crisis serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting local farmers and being flexible with our menus. By doing so, we can continue to create delicious, sustainable dishes that honor the hard work and dedication of our agricultural community, even in the face of adversity.
