Abbotsford Growers Co-op
Established in 1947, Abbotsford Growers Co-operative Union is a prominent processor and packer of raspberries in British Columbia's Fraser Valley. It has been vital to the economic well-being of Mennonite farmers in Abbotsford and represents the strength of co-operative movements among Mennonite settlements. The co-operative, which started with 90 Mennonite members, has operated from three buildings and has processed millions of pounds of raspberries. The labor force has transitioned from Mennonite families to Indo-Canadian and Mexican workers, and has increasingly mechanized.
The co-operative has been integral to the economic well-being of Mennonite farmers in the Abbotsford area and exemplifies the strength of the co-operative movement among Mennonite settlements in western Canada. It also continues to proudly proclaim that Abbotsford is the "Raspberry Capital of Canada."
The co-operative has been integral to the economic well-being of Mennonite farmers in the Abbotsford area and exemplifies the strength of the co-operative movement among Mennonite settlements in western Canada. It also continues to proudly proclaim that Abbotsford is the "Raspberry Capital of Canada."
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The co-operative was officially incorporated as Abbotsford Growers Co-operative Union on March 4, 1948, with Jacob Janzen as the first president. The organization initially aimed to establish a local Berry Co-op to handle berry processing and washing. The charter membership of 90 individuals consisted exclusively of Mennonites from nearby areas such as Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Clayburn, Matsqui, and Mt. Lehman.
Over its six decades of existence, Abbotsford Growers has operated from three different buildings. The first, completed in 1948, was situated in East Abbotsford. As the co-operative grew, a larger building was constructed on Commercial Street in Clearbrook in 1959. However, due to further expansion, the current plant at 31825 Marshall Road in Abbotsford was built in 1967 and has served the co-operative since then.
While strawberries and blueberries have also been processed, raspberries have been the main crop at Abbotsford Growers. Processing began with 80,000 pounds of raspberries in 1948 and peaked at 16 million pounds in 1987. In 2009, the co-operative processed 8.5 million pounds. Initially established by Mennonite pioneers, Abbotsford Growers later welcomed non-Mennonite members, and today, the majority of the raspberry crop is grown on Indo-Canadian farms.
The labor force in the early years primarily consisted of Mennonite families, but with changing ownership of farmland, Indo-Canadian families and contract pickers gradually became the dominant workforce by the turn of the century. More recently, Mexican farm workers have also joined the labor force, alongside Canadian workers. Mechanization has also played a role, with raspberry harvesting increasingly done by machines.
The co-operative recognized the need for a sales manager in 1952 and hired Jake Klassen for the role. In 1972, Jake Martens took over marketing responsibilities and served in that capacity for over 30 years.
The Abbotsford Growers Co-operative Union continues to proudly proclaim Abbotsford as the "Raspberry Capital of Canada" through a sign located south of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Over its six decades of existence, Abbotsford Growers has operated from three different buildings. The first, completed in 1948, was situated in East Abbotsford. As the co-operative grew, a larger building was constructed on Commercial Street in Clearbrook in 1959. However, due to further expansion, the current plant at 31825 Marshall Road in Abbotsford was built in 1967 and has served the co-operative since then.
While strawberries and blueberries have also been processed, raspberries have been the main crop at Abbotsford Growers. Processing began with 80,000 pounds of raspberries in 1948 and peaked at 16 million pounds in 1987. In 2009, the co-operative processed 8.5 million pounds. Initially established by Mennonite pioneers, Abbotsford Growers later welcomed non-Mennonite members, and today, the majority of the raspberry crop is grown on Indo-Canadian farms.
The labor force in the early years primarily consisted of Mennonite families, but with changing ownership of farmland, Indo-Canadian families and contract pickers gradually became the dominant workforce by the turn of the century. More recently, Mexican farm workers have also joined the labor force, alongside Canadian workers. Mechanization has also played a role, with raspberry harvesting increasingly done by machines.
The co-operative recognized the need for a sales manager in 1952 and hired Jake Klassen for the role. In 1972, Jake Martens took over marketing responsibilities and served in that capacity for over 30 years.
The Abbotsford Growers Co-operative Union continues to proudly proclaim Abbotsford as the "Raspberry Capital of Canada" through a sign located south of the Trans-Canada Highway.