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Ontario Farms Fill Your Thanksgiving Table

Ontario Farms Fill Your Thanksgiving Table
Oct 03, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Fresh Local Produce Stars in Ontario’s Fall Festivities

Ontario’s farms are bustling with activity, providing an abundance of fresh produce just in time for Thanksgiving. This season, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local flavour and tradition that define Ontario’s agricultural landscape.

October 7 to 13 is 2024 Ontario Agriculture Week, a perfect prelude to Thanksgiving, offering a time to reflect on and celebrate the vital role of agriculture in sustaining and enriching our lives.

Ontario farmers are pivotal in producing an array of products from fruits and vegetables to dairy and meats, all essential for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.

Local markets come alive with the hues of autumn, offering everything from apples and pears to squash and pumpkins, all ripe for your holiday table.

These markets are not just places to shop; they are community gatherings where you can meet the growers and understand the journey of your food from farm to table.

For your Thanksgiving dinner, consider the classics: roasted Ontario turkey, accompanied by a medley of side dishes such as mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and homemade cranberry sauce sourced from local cranberry bogs.

The indulgence continues with desserts like apple crisps and pumpkin pies, crafted from locally harvested ingredients.

This holiday season, the OFA’s Home Grown campaign is in full swing, aiming to educate and encourage consumers to support local farmers.

Photo Credit: pexels-rufina-rusakova


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CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

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CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

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If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.