This is a story of a business enterprise. It started on the 12th of September 1913, when four prominent Niagara Peninsula fruit growers met at the home of Mr. Alonzo H. Culp to discuss the formation of a co-operative fruit company. Besides Mr. Culp, who was to become the first president of the Co-operative, there were in attendance at that meeting Mr. Ezra Honsberger, Mr. Norman P. Moyer and Mr. Melvin Honsberger. In addition to these growers was a Mr. Walter M. Gayman, a local school teacher who joined the group and became the first managing director of the company. Writing their own by-laws, these pioneers applied for a government charter. The authorized capital was $10,000, consisting of 400 shares valued at $25.00 each. Five men subscribed to shares to the value of $2,100 and arrangements were made at the bank for $500 credit. It is of interest to note that the total original organizational expenses amounted to just $14.00.