Thankful for Ontario’s Harvest

GUELPH, ON  – It’s fall harvest season in Ontario and Thanksgiving is fast approaching. This makes it an ideal time to load your table with food, drinks and flowers from local Ontario farms.

Ontario farmers grow or raise more than 200 different commodities, and with many of them coming into season just in time for Thanksgiving, there is no shortage of terrific local options to choose from.

The week leading into Thanksgiving – October 7 to 13 – is also when the province marks Ontario Agriculture Week, the annual celebration of the many contributions our farm and food businesses make to life in Ontario, from producing local food and sustaining communities to creating jobs and fueling the economic engine.

“Agriculture is a major pillar of our provincial economy, supporting more than $50 billion in economic activity and jobs for more than 870,000 people,” says Drew Spoelstra, farmer and President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “All across this province, Ontarians both rural and urban enjoy flowers, produce, meat, dairy, eggs and other local products from Ontario farms – and as farmers, we appreciate your support of what we do, including our Home Grown campaign.”

The OFA’s Home Grown campaign raises awareness of the importance of preserving and protecting Ontario farmland for the production of food, fuel, flowers and fibre.

Apples are always a fall highlight – and Ontario’s many pick-your-own operations offer a fun option for an outing with family or friends – but the Thanksgiving menu presents many opportunities to fill plates and glasses with an array of Ontario products:

• Appetizers — The choices are abundant here. Fresh fruit – like apples, pears, or grapes— is a great addition to a charcuterie board of local meats and cheeses. Load up a vegetable tray with carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers and cauliflower or consider stuffed mushrooms as a great warm up snack before the big meal. Stuff the mushroom cap with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar and onion and (bake at 400°F for about 25 minutes or until the mixture is warm and bubbly.
• Side dishes — Where to start? Ontario corn, brussels sprouts, broccoli, beans, peas, and squash are all in season. And don’t forget Ontario potatoes: mashed or scalloped, they are a staple on the Thanksgiving dinner plate along side cranberry sauce. Did you know Ontario happens to have two commercial cranberry bogs — one in Muskoka and another near Ottawa?
• Main course — Ontario turkey is high in flavour, low in fat, packed with nutrients and raised with care by local farmers. Learn more at ontarioturkey.ca. Locally raised lamb, pork and beef and even fish are nutritious and delicious options too.
• Dessert — It is most definitely apple season, and whether you’re making a pie, a flavourful crisp or other baked dessert, Ontario farmers grow many different apples ideally suited to your needs. Ontario pumpkins are also in season and pumpkin pie is a fantastic Thanksgiving dessert.

To cap off your delicious holiday feast, consider a glass of Ontario VQA wine from one of the province’s many wineries or a local beverage from a cidery, craft brewery or distillery.

For a full list of what’s in season, please visit homegrownofa.ca/whats-in-season.

Ontario farmers’ markets are a great place to shop for your holiday food, drink and décor ingredients. This year, the OFA and Farmers’ Markets Ontario are collaborating on an innovative partnership to build consumer awareness about farmers’ markets across the province. In this first-ever partnership between the two organizations, the OFA created a $50,000 fund for marketing and awareness projects that promote and support local farmers who are participating at farmers’ markets.