With roughly a dozen varieties available, strong supply and relatively low prices, now is the time for Toronto-area wholesale buyers to take advantage of Ontario peppers.
Ontario pepper season is hitting its stride, and for wholesale produce buyers, this is arguably the best time of year to explore what local growers have to offer. Supply is strong, prices are relatively low and—perhaps most importantly—the selection is much broader than what buyers typically see during the rest of the year.
For grocery produce managers, chefs and food service operators, that creates an opportunity to work with more varieties, experiment with different applications and stock up while both quality and value are favourable.
Peak season means peak selection
During most of the year, buyers may have access to four or five common pepper varieties. During Ontario’s peak season, that selection expands to roughly a dozen. Depending on availability, buyers can find:
- Bell peppers
- Habaneros
- Shishitos
- Shepherd peppers
- Red Crimson peppers
- Thai chilies
- Hungarian peppers
- Hot banana peppers
- Jalapeños
- Ghost peppers
- Poblanos
That’s a significant difference for commercial kitchens looking to work with different levels of heat, flavour and texture.
The varieties also have subtle differences that make some better suited to particular applications. For example, bell peppers are a natural choice for stuffing, while Shepherd, banana and poblano peppers are particularly well suited to roasting and grilling.
A better selection than you’ll find the rest of the year
The appeal of buying Ontario peppers isn’t limited to the fact that they’re grown closer to home. When the local crop is in full swing, buyers get access to more varieties, very fresh produce, and better value.
That’s a useful combination for anyone planning menus or managing a produce department. Rather than relying on a small selection of familiar peppers, peak season is an opportunity to bring in varieties that may not be readily available at other times of the year.
For chefs in particular, it’s worth looking beyond the standard bell pepper and considering what else is available while the selection is at its widest.
What to look for when buying peppers
Fresh peppers should have firm flesh, with no obvious bruising or damage. The stems can also provide a useful indication of freshness. Green stems are a good sign when evaluating peppers at the wholesale level.
A simple check for firmness, appearance and stem colour can help buyers identify fruit that’s in good condition before it reaches the kitchen or produce display.
This year’s crop got off to a slow start
Ontario peppers had a delayed start this year, but growing conditions have since returned to normal and the crop is now developing strongly. That’s translated into good quality and plenty of supply at a time when buyers are looking to increase their local purchases.
Weather will remain a factor as the season progresses, but current conditions are favourable.
Don’t overthink the colour of sweet peppers
For buyers working primarily with sweet bell peppers, colour is largely a matter of preference and intended use.
Peppers start out green and develop different colours as they mature. The choice between green and other colours often comes down to what works best for a particular menu, recipe or retail customer.
For wholesale buyers, the bigger opportunity right now may be to look beyond colour altogether and explore the broader range of Ontario varieties available during peak season.
Now is the time to buy in volume
Peak Ontario pepper season also changes the economics of buying.
With strong supply and relatively low prices, buyers looking to maximize value can purchase peppers in larger quantities and prepare them for use later in the year. Peppers can be prepared and preserved for winter use, allowing restaurants and food service operators to extend the value of a crop that’s currently at its best.
For buyers who have the capacity to process and preserve produce, the current combination of quality, variety and price makes this an especially attractive window.
How fresh are locally grown peppers?
Peppers are relatively durable compared with some other Ontario crops, so an extra day in transit shouldn’t be a major concern. Even so, the local supply chain is quick. Ontario peppers can typically move from harvest to wholesale customer in approximately one to two days. That gives buyers access to very fresh product while it’s still in peak season.
The window won’t stay open forever
The current Ontario pepper season is expected to continue for approximately another month, depending on weather. But the standout feature of the season isn’t simply how long peppers remain available. It’s the combination of variety and value that’s available right now.
Roughly a dozen varieties are on the market compared with the four or five that buyers might typically encounter at other times of the year. For Toronto-area wholesale buyers, that’s a good reason to look beyond the usual order and explore what’s available while Ontario’s pepper crop is at its peak.
Make the most of the selection while it’s here
Ontario pepper season offers wholesale buyers something that’s difficult to replicate during the rest of the year: a broad selection of varieties, strong supply and competitive pricing, all coming from relatively close to home.
Whether the goal is to stock a produce department, add something different to a summer menu, or buy in volume for preservation, now is the ideal time to take advantage of Ontario peppers.
The selection will narrow as the season ends. For now, there’s plenty to choose from.