Freshly harvested Ontario vegetables are now arriving at the Ontario Food Terminal, bringing better freshness, strong seasonal supply and more locally grown options for restaurants, retailers and food service operators
Ontario’s local produce season continues to build momentum, with new crop broccoli, carrots and celery now arriving at the Ontario Food Terminal. For grocery stores, restaurants, caterers and other food service businesses, the arrival of a new crop marks an important milestone. Unlike vegetables that have been held in storage from last season, new crop produce has been freshly harvested and is making its way through the supply chain while it’s at its freshest. That means fresh produce can often reach customers the very same day!
What does “new crop” mean?
In the produce industry, “new crop” refers to the current season’s freshly harvested produce. For carrots, that’s an important distinction. While Ontario carrots have been available throughout the year, much of that supply has come from last season’s harvest held in storage.
Freshly harvested carrots offer a noticeable advantage over storage carrots, which can lose quality over time if conditions aren’t ideal. If not stored properly, they may be moldy or slimy—and even when they aren’t, they break down much quicker and aren’t as fresh, crisp or vibrant looking.
Broccoli also benefits from being harvested close to market, arriving with optimal freshness after spending less time in transit.
Why Ontario-grown produce matters
One of the biggest advantages of Ontario-grown vegetables is proximity. Because they’re grown close to home, broccoli, carrots and celery can move from farm to the Terminal and then on to wholesalers and customers much faster than produce shipped long distances. That shorter journey helps preserve freshness while giving buyers greater confidence in the product they’re receiving.
Locally grown produce also allows buyers to support Ontario farmers while benefiting from Canada’s strict agricultural regulations and growing practices.
A delayed start, but strong supply ahead
Ontario’s growing season began later than usual this year after an unusually cold spring delayed many crops. Fortunately, growers have caught up, and broccoli and carrots are now expected to remain in good supply well into the fall. We expect strong availability through Thanksgiving, providing restaurants, retailers and food service operators with a dependable source of fresh local vegetables throughout much of the season.
Choosing the freshest broccoli and carrots
Whether you’re buying for a restaurant kitchen, grocery store or commercial food operation, visual quality remains one of the best indicators of freshness.
For broccoli: Look for firm heads with a deep green colour and avoid any signs of yellowing.
For carrots: Choose roots that appear firm, crisp and vibrant, avoiding any that feel soft or show signs of slime.
Freshly harvested Ontario carrots may also offer another benefit that many buyers notice immediately. You’ll likely notice the freshness difference and the sweetness of the new carrots right away.
Summer menus continue to showcase local ingredients
As more Ontario crops come into season, chefs continue updating menus to feature fresh local ingredients. Broccoli, carrots and celery all work well in seasonal salads, vegetable-forward side dishes and fresh preparations that highlight Ontario’s summer harvest. For food service operators, incorporating locally grown produce can help celebrate the season while giving customers ingredients harvested just days earlier.
More Ontario produce is on the way
The arrival of broccoli, carrots and celery is just one step in Ontario’s expanding harvest season. Over the next few weeks, growers are expected to bring even more locally grown produce to the Ontario Food Terminal, including:
- Eggplant
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Sweet corn
- Beets
As availability continues to grow, seasonal produce offers buyers more opportunities to source fresh Ontario ingredients throughout the summer.
Supporting Ontario growers benefits everyone
Buying Ontario-grown produce does more than deliver fresh vegetables to kitchens and store shelves. Supporting local growers helps maintain a strong domestic food supply while keeping produce prices competitive. Without them, produce costs would surely skyrocket—they keep the price of imported produce in check.
With freshly harvested broccoli, carrots and celery now available—and many more Ontario crops arriving soon—the local growing season continues to offer fresh opportunities for retailers, restaurants and food service businesses across the province.