Cherries for sale

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The May long weekend seems early to find cherries for sale, but that's not the case at one fruit stand in the South Okanagan.

Orchardist Sarabjit Rai started selling an early variety at his stand, Rai Produce, just west of Osoyoos, on Highway 3, on Friday.

"Last year we were able to open in June and this year we are opening in May, the earliest ever," said Aman Rai, Rai's son.

Rai attributes the early cherry sales to a combination of warm weather, having good soil in their orchards and his father's hard work.

The fruit now available at the stand is from an orchard the family lives on close to the border.

So far, Rai said people are amazed to find the fruit stand open already.

"People were coming by and asking if they were fresh cherries," he said, with a laugh.

The cherries, which Rai said were Chelans, are available every day.

The family also already has pickers lined up ready to go to work.