While Southern Ontario has the hustle and bustle of cities, as soon as you leave the major urban centres of the province, you’ll find acres and acres of farmland and plenty of greenhouses growing food that feed our communities as well as people all around the world. While we have access to tropical fruits and vegetables all year round thanks to importing produce, it’s exciting to know that we can find a large number of fruits and vegetables grown here in Ontario!
The major fruit-producing areas of Ontario include the areas of Essex-Kent region, Huron-Erie, Norfolk county, Niagara region, Peel and Halton, York, Durham, Quinte, Ottawa Valley, Georgian Bay, and Northwestern Ontario.
Here is a list of produce you may find locally grown throughout the year:
- Apples
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Bell Pepper
- Onion
- Carrot
- Mushrooms
- Pears
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Plums
- Cherries
- Asparagus
- Parsnips
- Squash
- Artichokes
- Cabbage
- Bok Choy
- Kale
- Beets
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Sweet Potatoes
- Rutabaga
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Celery
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Lettuce
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Apricots
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
Take some time to check the labels as you browse the produce aisles. Most grocery stores will have signage indicating where produce was grown, and most produce is also packaged or stickered with that information. Keep your eyes open for anything labeled, “Grown in Ontario”!
This week, our articles will be filled with information about where to find locally grown food and why you should by local.
