KELOWNA – The award-winning Enactus initiative FruitSnaps is now running as a social enterprise after the student-run team recently launched apple juice boxes. The direct result of an abundant number of apples over the fall semester, the five-litre boxes of fresh apple juice are now available locally and online for purchase. All proceeds go back into the program and help to keep it sustainable.
Okanagan College alumni, staff and community members were among the first people who showed up to help the Enactus team pick the approximately 13,000 pounds of apples that would otherwise have gone to waste. In addition to the rapid growth of the project, the team also hosted a grade five class in the field from École Beairsto Elementary in Vernon, teaching students about food security, environmental protection and helping those in need. The class helped socially-distanced to pick apples to support their own school breakfast program.
Andrew Klingel
“Despite the many personal and logistical challenges brought on by COVID, this team continues to adapt and push forward, united by their commitment to help those in need,” said faculty advisor and Okanagan College School of Business instructor Andrew Klingel.
FruitSnaps will continue to produce and deliver the dried apple products to schools in the Okanagan throughout the winter. With the help of the North Okanagan Valley Gleaners, apples were converted into over 20,000 servings, which go to local schools, foodbanks and Indigenous communities. In the South Okanagan, a halt was put on the snack production due to new pandemic restrictions, but the Okanagan Gleaners were still able to process close to two tons of apple donations from BC Tree Fruits on behalf of the program. The fruit snaps went to local schools through Starfish packs, a program run through School District No. 67, Okanagan Skaha.
To learn more about the work FruitSnaps is doing, go here. To purchase the newly-launched FruitSnaps apple juice, visit Lakeview Market in Kelowna, Triumph Coffee or Soul Studios in Vernon, or online at fruitsnaps.square.site. Available while supplies last, with 400 cases for sale.