Ralph’s parents – Rudy and Marian Merk – purchased a small Osoyoos cherry orchard in the early 1980’s as they embarked on ‘retirement’. This business opportunity gave Ralph the privilege of working alongside his parents. In 1984, Ralph married Elizabeth and they joyfully rolled up their sleeves to promote fresh BC fruits and vegetables – out of the back of their old, yellow van.

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Establishing a more permanent produce location at Granville Island Public Market (Vancouver, BC) took place in 1985 where we specialized in selling BC Okanagan produce. That’s where RALPH’S gained the reputation for offering fair prices, good old fashioned family service, and fresh produce from the B.C. orchards and fields of the Okanagan Valley. It was with great blessings when Ralph’s sister and brother-in-law (Dianne and Murray Redekop) joined the team in 1987. They brought their twin daughters (Julie and Karen) from Saskatchewan who have grown up to become very hardworking, cheerful members of Ralph’s current staff. With 22 years at Granville Island, becoming experts in the produce industry was firmly rooted.