The Okanagan College Enactus team is turning surplus apples into worthwhile products. (submitted photo/OC Enactus)

By Pete McIntyre

Okanagan College students win national award for rescuing unwanted apples

Oct 3, 2022 | 1:46 PM

Finding a use for surplus apples has been fruitful for a group of students from Okanagan College (OC).

The students were named 2022 Enactus National Champion by Enactus Canada, the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, and a judging panel comprised of top Canadian CEOs.

“The OC Enactus team at Okanagan College are changing the way the world looks at food by implementing circular systems that takes surplus apples that are fit for consumption and using them to feed those in need with their projects Fruit Snaps and Unusually Good Food Co.,” a news release from Enactus Canada stated.

Fruit Snaps takes unused apples and creates nutritious apple chips through a partnership with the North Okanagan Gleaners Society. The chips are then donated to local schools, community organizations, and developing countries.

The students behind Unusually Good Food Co, also use surplus apples to create apple juice allowing the students to pay farmers for the apples they use, reduce food insecurity in their community, and fight climate change.

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This year alone, Fruit Snaps donated 38,000 servings of apple chips, saving over 35,000 pounds of apples from going to waste, and diverted 70 tonnes of CO2. Unusually Good Food Co. generated over $15,000 in revenue.

“Both Fruit Snaps and Unusually Good Food Co. are changing the way the world approaches food waste,” said Allyson Hewitt, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. “It’s truly inspiring to see just how much impact that Enactus Okanagan has had on their community. Congratulations and good luck at the Enactus World Cup in Puerto Rico!”

Click here to see a video of the program.

Okanagan College Enactus team members. (submitted photo/Okanagan College Enactus)

Earlier this year, Enactus Okanagan College competed against 44 other post-secondary institutions in two rounds of virtual presentation-based competitions for the chance to be named one of five national finalists. All five finalist teams were flown to Toronto to compete in-person at the Enactus Final Round of Competition, proudly presented by Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd., on September 30.

During the final round of competition, each of the five finalist teams had 12 minutes to showcase how their entrepreneurial projects advanced the social, economic and environmental health of communities, created new career opportunities, sparked business innovation, and changed lives.

Enactus Okanagan College will now represent Canada at the global stage at the upcoming Enactus World Cup 2022 in Puerto Rico on October 30 – November 2, 2022.

For competition updates, visit nationals.enactus.ca.