How to bring Ontario fall produce from farm to fork
Modern supermarkets and global trade mean we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want. Whether you’re craving a tropical mango in January or a crisp apple in October, there’s no denying this convenience and luxury. But we could also stand to be more like our ancestors and let the seasons guide what we eat.
When you choose local fall produce, you get food that’s fresher, more nutrient-dense, and supports Ontario farmers. In fact, there are over sixty Ontario-grown foods at their peak of freshness in the fall, which means every meal is a chance for you and your family to eat better and feel better.
Thanks to services like Fresh Prep, it’s never been easier to bring the best of Ontario’s harvest, like hearty squash, and juicy pears, straight to your table. Learn more about the benefits of eating seasonally and which fruits and veggies to choose during the fall.
Why eating seasonally in Ontario matters
Pumpkin spice lattes may signal fall on Instagram, but the real story of the season is in Ontario’s fields. Eating seasonally is a simple choice with a big impact. The benefits of choosing fresh fall produce include:
Fresher taste
Autumn fruits and vegetables harvested at their peak ripeness have had enough time to develop their full flavour profiles. This differs from produce that is prematurely picked to withstand long-distance transportation, which can have a bland or underdeveloped taste.
In other words, the less distance your food has to travel, the more fresh and flavourful it will taste. Compare a field-fresh Ontario tomato in September to one shipped halfway around the world in December and you’ll quickly taste the difference.
Improved nutritional value
Eating Ontario produce in season means you get it at its most nutrient-dense, with no shortcuts. This is especially important for busy families trying to keep immune systems strong and kids well-fed during the fall rush.
Produce begins to lose vitamins and antioxidants the moment it’s harvested. Long transportation and cold storage accelerate this loss of nutrients.
Delicate produce, such as broccoli, green beans, kale, and peaches, is especially vulnerable. Heartier fall crops like apples and carrots are more resilient, although locally grown produce is still best.
Supports your local economy
Ontario is a leading agricultural powerhouse, with over 200 types of food and farm products grown, raised, and produced across the province. But local farmers can always use our support.
In fact, if every household in Ontario spent just $10 more a week on local food, it would add $2.4 billion annually into the provincial economy and create 10,000 new jobs.
Reduces your environment footprint
Local produce doesn’t just taste better, it lightens your environmental footprint. The closer to home your food is grown, the fewer “food miles” are created from long transport, storage, and refrigeration.
But it’s not just about where the crop is grown, it’s also about how. A greenhouse tomato grown in Ontario in December might be considered “local,” but keeping that greenhouse warm and lit requires huge amounts of energy. Ontario’s fall produce, like winter squash, thrives naturally in fields, making it a more sustainable option.
That’s why Fresh Prep is committed to sourcing local ingredients and designing meals around what’s in season. You get to enjoy food that tastes fresher and has more nutrients, while supporting Ontario farmers and cutting down on unnecessary waste.
What’s in season in Ontario this fall?
Here’s what’s on the menu during the fall season, based on Ontario.ca’s agricultural availability guide:
Early fall (September)
Vegetables
Beets
Leeks
Parsnips
Brussels sprouts
Eggplant
Corn
Field tomatoes
Zucchini
Spinach
Pumpkin
Winter squash
Fruits
Apples
Pears
Plums
Grapes
Raspberries
Blueberries
Field strawberries
Mid-fall (October)
Vegetables
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Potatoes
Parsnips
Leeks
Turnips
Rutabaga
Winter squash
Pumpkin
Fruits
Apples
Cranberries
Pears
Plums
Grapes
Late fall (November)
Vegetables
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Potatoes
Parsnips
Turnips
Rutabaga
Winter squash
Fruits
Apples
Cranberries
Pears
Fresh Prep makes it simple to enjoy these seasonal stars. From butternut squash soups to roasted root veggie medleys, you get the flavour and nutrition of the Ontario harvest without overbuying or wasting ingredients. Unlike global meal kits, Fresh Prep is proudly Canadian and B-Corp certified, proof of our commitment to sustainability and community.
What fruits are in season in the fall in Canada?
Canada’s fall fruit basket is dominated by apples, pears, grapes, plums, and cranberries, with late summer season berries available in September. This means your Ontario fall fruits can evolve along with the weather: sweet berries in September, grapes and plums in October, and crisp apples in November.
How to make Ontario fall vegetables work for your lifestyle
Ontario’s fall harvest is generous, but changing the way you shop and cook to fit the season and your lifestyle can feel daunting. Some days, you may need a meal in 15 minutes, while other times, you may be in the mood to batch cook for the week.
The beauty of seasonal produce is its versatility. You can fit seasonal cooking into your lifestyle and let your kitchen fill with the aromas of roasting veggies and simmering soup. Fresh Prep makes it even easier by saving you time on grocery runs, measuring, and chopping. Meals are ready in 30 minutes or less, so you can spend more time actually sitting down to enjoy fall’s harvest as a family.
For the time-crunched cook
Busy schedules don’t leave much room for hours of meal prep. That’s where autumn vegetables that require little more than a rinse or a quick sauté really shine.
A few quick meal ideas include:
Fire-roasted tomato tortilla soup: a weeknight lifesaver ready in about 25 minutes. Smoky fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, and crunchy tortilla strips come together to deliver big flavour with low effort.
Sweet potato and bean chilli: hearty, spicy-sweet, and done in under 30 minutes. Sweet potatoes and beans make this meal filling without a long simmer.
Roasted root veggie medley: toss carrots, beets, parsnips, and potatoes with olive oil and roast at high heat until golden. They’re perfect as a side, tossed into salads, or reheated with grains.
Fresh Prep does the hard work for you. With pre-portioned ingredients and no chopping or measuring required, you can skip the prep and still enjoy seasonal dishes that taste like they took hours.
Explore this week’s menu to see what seasonal produce we’re serving right now.
For the weekend meal planner
If you’re a one-and-done type of cook, fall vegetables have you covered. Squash, carrots, beets, and potatoes are hearty crops that transform beautifully when roasted, simmered, or blended into soups. They store well, taste delicious as leftovers, and give you building blocks for multiple meals.
Some meal prep staples include:
Squash and chickpea curry: a hearty dish that shines with batch-cooking. Combine roasted squash, chickpeas and carrots into a curry, and you’ll have leftovers you can use during the week in wraps or bowls.
Pear, leek, and potato soup: make a big pot on the weekend and enjoy it through the week. It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with fall produce like potatoes and leeks.
Moroccan spiced eggplant and tomato stew: roasted eggplant & chickpeas over couscous give you fall-vegetable richness, while dried apricots and exotic spices elevate it without complicated steps.
Fresh Prep’s seasonal recipes are designed to eliminate waste. You get exactly the right amount of each ingredient, sourced locally whenever possible, so you’re never left with half a squash wasting away in your fridge.
Make the most of Ontario fall produce from the orchard to your oven
This fall, bring the season’s flavours to your table. From crisp apples to hearty squash, Ontario delivers fall produce that tastes fresher, carries more nutrients, and supports the farmers who keep our food system thriving.
Fresh Prep makes this simple. With pre-portioned, locally sourced ingredients delivered right to your door, you can enjoy Ontario’s fall produce without the stress of meal planning, prepping, or shopping. Choose from 35+ ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meals each week that support a variety of dietary preferences within the family, including vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian.
You can enjoy local, fall-friendly meals even on your busiest nights. Try Fresh Prep and make eating seasonally the easiest (and tastiest) part of your week.