Okanagan Gleaners was founded in 1974 and shipped it’s 1st production of 100,000 servings of soup mix in 1976. In the last 10 years production has ever increased.

This year’s production is expected to yield 6 million servings.

An average of 30 people come to the plant, on No.3 Road in Oliver, 6 mornings a week, year around, to process vegetables for dehydration. Once a year, all of the product that has been dried thru the year is “Mixed” and packaged into bags containing 100 servings, weighing about 2 kg. During the 3 weeks of mixing, 50+ volunteers will spend the day on this process.

There is a faithful contingent of volunteers from the local area but, there are many others that come from all over Canada and the US. Retiree’s will spend weeks or months in the Gleaners’ RV campground or local motels and in the summer, youth groups and vacationers will spend a few days or weeks working in the mornings and enjoying the beautiful Okanagan in the afternoon and evening.

Most of the fresh produce comes from the Okanagan-Similkameen. Potatoes from Grand Forks, Beets & Carrots from Lumby and Peppers, Tomatoes, egg plant and apples from the South Okanagan. Frozen vegetables come from Abbotsford. All of the produce processed by the Gleaners is donated and all of work is done by volunteers.

More than 50 million servings of soup mix, have been delivered to over 55 countries around the world. Gleaners partners with registered Canadian charities and local missionary groups, that have the resources to transport and deliver the soup mix to those in need. The product is never sold, it is given free of charge. The Okanagan Gleaners is financially supported by it’s volunteers who’s goal is to feed the hungry in God’s name.

For more information or contact us, visit our website www.okanagangleaners.ca

Submitted by Jane Marcelet