Back to School with Fresh Autumn Fare
Cooler evenings, crisp mornings and splendid leaf displays signal autumn’s arrival. For many Ontarians, one of the most memorable activities this season is heading out to local orchards to delight in the fall harvest bounty. Now is an ideal time to remind your audience how OFFMA’s Find a Farm locator can help them find the farm that’s fit for their autumn adventure, whether it’s picking apples right off the tree, running through a corn maze or taking a wagon ride to see the fall colours.
Story ideas: ABC’s of back to school
A is for Apples: A favourite pastime of schoolchildren and families alike, picking apples right off the tree is a Canadian rite of passage. Beginning in late August and continuing through to October, apple varieties ripen one after another for an abundance of flavour options. Consider educating your audience about the different varieties so the next time they visit a farm, they know which ones are best for eating out of hand versus baking into mouth-watering desserts.
B is for Beets: Raw or cooked, pickled or roasted, beets make a delicious and vibrant accompaniment to any fall entrée. Share recipe ideas, selection, cooking and storage ideas for this sweet root vegetable.
C is for Carrots: The Greeks and Romans had the right idea using carrots for medicinal purposes. A sweet, hardy vegetable, carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, a compound that gives them their deep orange colour. A popular snack item in kids’ lunch boxes and on the dinner tables, your audience will appreciate learning more about the nutritional benefits of this delicious and healthy veggie.
Corn Mazes – An “Ear-risistible” Family Activity!
Before your audience sets out to get lost amongst the corn stalks, help them easily find a maze by telling them about OFFMA’s Maze Craze locator, which lists Ontario farms that offer this “ear-resitible” fall activity. Or, teach them about how these intricate mazes are created, from planting the correct variety of corn to carefully cutting the walkways.
Growing the Next Generation of Farmers
As squash, apples and pears grow across Ontario, another crop is taking root: budding farmers. Many of OFFMA members have more than one generation working the farm. Sons and daughters who have gone off to university or college or tried their hand at another career often find themselves returning to their roots and bringing a fresh, new vibe to the farming business. OFFMA can put you in touch with multi-generational farmers and their families to learn more about how this emergence of young, savvy, college-educated farmers is evolving Ontario’s farming landscape.
Farmers’ Markets
Farm fresh farmers' markets and on-farm markets are still going strong across the province. Your audience can find a farm nearby by visiting the Find a Farm locator.
What's in Season? 
| Month | What’s in Season |
| August | Apples, beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, grapes, lettuce, melons, nectarines, onions, peaches, pears, peas, peppers, plums, potatoes, radishes, raspberries, squash, tomatoes |
| September | Apples, beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant garlic, grapes, lettuce, melons, nectarines, onions, pears, peas, peppers, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, squash, tomatoes |
| October | Apples, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, cranberries, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, grapes, lettuce, onions, pears, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, squash, tomatoes |
Contact Us
For interviews, recipes/photos or if you would like to visit an OFFMA members’ farm, please contact:
Kathy Khamis
Faye Clack Communications Inc.
905-206-0577 ext. 247
kkhamis@fayeclack.com