It has not been an easy start to the season for farmers: drought-like conditions, a rollercoaster of unseasonable temperatures, and a pandemic that resulted in labour shortages, delays and much uncertainty. Just as the first crops are ready to be picked (fresh asparagus can be found in a few locations at farm stands in Franklin and in Saint-Anicet), André Lamontagne, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, gave producers something to smile about – the U-Pick season has officially been cleared for deconfinement.
A guide for the application of prevention measures recommended in the context of COVID-19 for U-Pick on farms has been prepared and is now available for producers such that those wishing to open their farms to the public this summer may do so under the guidance of the provincial government and public health authorities to ensure the safety of all involved.
“This activity is of great importance for several sectors of market garden production, and particularly for berry and apple crops. This marketing method offers Quebec consumers a way to obtain fresh, local produce while reducing food waste,” Lamontagne said in a statement. As an important link in the agri-tourism chain, U-Pick represents an opportunity to meet local producers, learn about agriculture, and encourage the buy-local movement while sourcing fresh fruit and vegetables. Because U-Pick activities take place outdoors and over large areas, they can be done safely during the pandemic. Pickers tend to arrive in families or small groups, and as they are the only ones who touch the fruits or vegetables that are harvested, the risks are again reduced.
For many local farms and orchards, the U-Pick marketing model works very well to attract visitors to pick their own produce. One only has to drive down Route 202 or 209 in Franklin during the fall to realize how important this practice is to our local economy. U-Pick also helps many farms and orchards to overcome some of the expenses tied to hiring pickers during harvest season. (S.R.)