Parsons Fruit Stand – foodies’ first choice in the Similkameen

Quentin Parsons delivers high quality at Keremeos' finest fruit stand

Visiting Parsons Fruit Stand while passing through Keremeos, BC in the Similkameen Valley has been a family tradition for us. This time around was no different, but we did take time to speak with our old friend Quentin Parsons, the proprietor who has taken up the generations old family business. The Parsons family have a long history in the Similkameen Valley. Quentin is descended from John Fall Allison, the railway engineer whose name is on the Allison Summit in Manning Park, Allison Pass and Allison Lake all in the same region. If I have my history correct, Allison's second wife was a member of the Lower Similkameen First Nations Band, giving the family even deeper ties to the region.

Unless you're growing grapes, selling fruit in BC in recent years has been a tough go for many. The pricing is being constantly undercut by imports and cut throat local competition. In order to succeed you really need a unique selling proposition. For Parsons that USP is high quality, organically-grown (though not certified) fruit, as well as local products. Of course, you get a whole bunch of that Parsons charm thrown in for good measure too.

On our mid-July stop Quentin told us that things have been a bit slow to start this year thanks to the cool weather. It impeded travelers and slowed the growing season. Since July came things have picked up considerably.

The racks at Parsons are full of lucious apricots and freshly harvested cherries. We picked up about 18 cobs of fresh corn for a vacation BBQ. We also cooled ourselves with an ice cream cone. The array of local products that Parsons sells is impressive. Local jams, bread dips, gorgeous dressings and the unique flavoured honeys right from Keremeos, BC. You can't leave without picking some of this stuff – we grabbed one of the honeys and the bread dip was as good as advertised.

Buying fresh local food is extremely important to people today, and Parsons Fruit Stand is proudly supporting local, sustainable agriculture with its business. If you're driving through Keremeos, look for the big sign with the old time car on it just at the edge of town. There are other fruit stands along the route as well, all that get plenty of business. But Parsons has the things that foodies and wine lovers like best – a commitment to all that is fresh, local and sustainable.

– post by Mike