Our Dirt Aisles

The only thing better than fresh berries, or asparagus, or peas… or anything really, is the fact that you can find them in your back yard. Seasonality is something that forces us to get a little creative in Ontario.  While we can’t enjoy a freshly picked Ontario strawberry in the middle of winter, there are lots of ways to enjoy local food year round.  That being said, let that be a reminder of the sweetness that awaits us come summer time. Thus we present your ultimate guide to buying in season and buying locally.
 

Fall (September-October)

As summer comes to an end, holiday season creeps up on everyone. The time of roast turkey and stuffing would not be completed without this wonderful produce.

Brussel Sprouts: The cabbage’s little sister, pungent in flavour, should not be feared but enjoyed after being roasted or sautéed with bacon
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Bentum Family Farm

Parsnips: This fall vegetable is closely related to the carrot, sweet as candy, and versatile. Boil and mash, combine with potatoes, or add them to stews and soups
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Braemar Hills Farm

Pumpkin: This fall vegetable can be used not only in the infamous pie, but also in savoury dishes like cannelloni, or chili, and don’t forget to save those seeds for a late night snack.
Where to buy?
Sheldon Berries 
Fleming Farms 
Bentum Family Farm 
Berrylicious Fruit Farm 
Binnendyk Orchard 
Son-in-law Produce  
Snyder's Family Farm

Winter Squash: Quite often found on the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, this vegetable family can be incorporated into an everyday diet as a soup or as a lighter substitute to pasta.
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables 
Sheldon Berries 
Fleming Farms

Apples: This sweet fruit can add a crunch to any salad, be eaten alone, or cooked down into a delicious dessert.
Where to buy?
Binnendyk Orchard 
Bickle’s Orchard Park Farms

Early Summer (May-June)

As late spring, early summer roll around, we look forward to the first bite out of a strawberry, or that great rhubarb crisp that your grandma makes, or how about that annual Father’s Day steak paired with grilled asparagus?

Asparagus: These bundles of goodness have a short season but that does not mean they shouldn’t be enjoyed thoroughly; baked, grilled, wrapped in prosciutto, that’s just the beginning of how asparagus can be prepared.
Where to buy?
Fleming Farms
Sheldon Berries
Red Barn Berries
Koteles Farms Ltd
Thames River Farms

Rhubarb: This tart stalk pops up in abundance when in season, making a great compote, pie filling, it can even be enjoyed raw and dipped in sugar
Where to buy?
Sheldon Berries
Fleming Farms
Potters Road Berries

Strawberries: June strawberries are deliciously red and serve as a reminder to the beginning of summer. These flavour bombs are a great addition to any meal of the day.
Where to buy?
Sheldon Berries
Fleming Farms
Son-in-law Produce Ltd. formerly godelie Family Farms
Red Barn Berries
Thames River Melons

Summer (July-August)

Long days and beautiful nights call for time spent with family, friends, and good fresh food. Settle in with a creamy potato salad or grab a bite of delicious corn on the cob. 

Beans: These guys taste great with just about any dinner, tossed in butter and nutmeg, served alongside hummus for dipping, or even just boiled
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Sheldon Berries

Beets: These root vegetables are typically steamed but taste just as yummy boiled, broiled, roasted or any other way you decide to prepare them, the roots, stems, and leaves are edible and they make a great addition to any salad.
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Bentum Family Farm

Carrots: A classic vegetable, a favourite amongst many families, carrots are even the star of the ever popular cake!
Where to buy?
Braemar Hills Farm
Nith Valley Organics

Corn: Sweet and juicy, whether you’re enjoying it directly off the cob or in another dish, boiled or grilled. This vegetable is a summer favourite.
Where to buy?  
Fleming Farms 
Son-in-law Produce
Binnendyk Orchard
Thames River Melons
Bre’s Fresh Market

Garlic: A year round flavour found in a plethora of dishes is finally ready to harvest after a long growing season
Where to buy?  
Rooster Creek Farm 
Braemar Hills Farm 

Leeks: often found in soups this relative to the onion is also delicious thinly sliced and sautéed  
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Bentum Family Farm

Peas: these sweet little morsels are incredibly versatile and can be paired with anything from mint to bacon, to cheese.
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Sheldon Berries 
Red Barn Berries

Potatoes: No stranger to most households, potatoes can be prepared in an infinite number of ways, mashed, baked, roasted, scalloped, in galette, the list goes on.
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables 
Son-in-law Produce
Bentum Family Farm

Tomatoes: Whether they’re acting as the base to ketchup, served sliced up on a burger, stuffed with mozzarella, tomatoes play a big role in many ways
Where to buy?
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Braemar Hills Farm 
Bentum Family Farm 
Red Barn Berries

Blueberries: A sweet perk to the summer, blueberries make for a great family outing, to pick your own that is.
Where to buy?
Sheldon Berries 
Berrylicious Fruit Farm 
Thames River Melons

Cantaloupe: Great paired with prosciutto, mixed into a smoothie, or eaten on its own this melon is sure to offer a burst of flavour
Where to buy?
Thames River Melons
Bentum Family Farms
 

Raspberries: These berries are fresh and ready to be eaten during the summer, or preserved for the winter that’s encroaching on long summer days
Where to buy?
Sheldon Berries 
Son-in-law Produce 
Thames River Melons

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