Changes to harvest and sales at nut farm
For the second year in a row, COVID-19 is affecting fundraising nut sales at Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park. The first hazelnuts of the season are already falling to the ground and ready to be purchased.
The proceeds are used by the non-profit Gellatly Nut Farm Society to assist with upkeep and improvements in the popular four-hectare waterfront regional park and working nut orchard off Whitworth Road in West Kelowna.
In light of the ongoing pandemic health and safety restrictions, society volunteers will not initially open the nut house store this year. Any change for October and November will be based on health guidelines at the time. Instead, anyone wishing to purchase nut varieties are asked to self-harvest:
- Wash or sanitize your hands before and after nut harvesting
- Wear a mask and keep at least two metres between yourself and others in the orchard and park
- Bring your own bags
- Pick from the ground only. Please do not climb trees. Nuts fall to the ground when they are ripe and ready for harvest
- Cost:
- Small bucket (one pound): $5.00
- Large bucket (four pounds): $20.00
- Payment must be made by either:
- E-transfers to nutfarm@shaw.ca (Payments made this way will be automatically accepted – no need for a security question)
- Cash must be deposited into the payment box at the house near the Whitworth Road park entrance. The Society is unable to accept any other form of payment.
Nuts that are not paid for upon leaving the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, may result in a $500 fine under the Regional Parks bylaw 1427.
Anyone that would like to purchase a special wood bowl or cutting board made from orchard wood is asked to contact the Society at 250-470-0999 or 250-768-5960.
For more information about the park, nut harvest and Nut Use and Care visit rdco.com/gellatlynutfarm.