Ontario squash is at its peak heading into Thanksgiving
Ontario squash is in excellent shape right now, with strong supply, good availability, and favourable pricing for wholesale produce buyers across Toronto and the GTA.
The timing is particularly useful for grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, and food-service operators planning for Thanksgiving. Demand for squash typically peaks in the fall as the holiday approaches, and with the full range of Ontario varieties now available, buyers have plenty of options to work with.
For buyers looking ahead to Thanksgiving menus and seasonal produce displays, now is also a good time to consider volume purchases while Ontario squash is readily available and pricing is competitive.
Dozens of Ontario squash varieties are available
There are dozens of varieties of squash grown in Ontario, although wholesale buyers are most likely to encounter a handful of familiar types. The main varieties are:
- Butternut squash
- Pepper squash
- Spaghetti squash
- Buttercup squash
Less common varieties worth knowing include:
- Hubbard squash
- Sweet potato squash
- Sweet dumpling squash
- Golden nugget squash
- White swan squash
Each variety has its own characteristics, including differences in flavour and texture, which makes squash useful across a wide range of retail and food-service applications.
Butternut remains a food-service favourite
Butternut is the most popular variety among restaurant and food-service customers. It’s really well suited to roasting and soups, so it’s a natural fit for fall menus and Thanksgiving dishes.
Other varieties can be used for roasting, grilling, soups, purées, stuffing, and other applications. For chefs and food-service buyers, having access to multiple varieties provides opportunities to vary menus and offer seasonal dishes with different flavours and textures.
Fresh Ontario squash offers a supply-chain advantage
Squash isn’t as perishable as some of the other Ontario crops coming through the wholesale market, so the speed from farm to customer isn’t as critical. That’s partly because squash is typically harvested all at once and stored for months. Even so, when fresh Ontario squash is available, Toronto-area buyers can receive product just a couple of days after harvest when needed.
The shorter supply chain also means less time in transit, which can reduce the opportunity for spoilage compared with squash travelling longer distances.
What to look for when buying squash
Selecting good squash is straightforward. Buyers should avoid product that’s soft, off-colour, or has an unpleasant smell, all of which can indicate that the squash isn’t fresh.
For grocery produce managers, appearance matters when putting squash on display. For restaurants and food-service operations, selecting firm, fresh-looking product helps ensure better quality when the squash reaches the kitchen.
Ontario’s crop got a late start but is growing well
Like many Ontario crops this year, squash got off to a delayed start. But the crop has caught up and is now growing beautifully.
That means buyers aren’t facing the same concerns about availability that can sometimes occur earlier in the season. Supply is strong across the major varieties, giving buyers more flexibility as they plan fall orders.
Thanksgiving is when squash demand peaks
The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are an important period for Ontario squash. Demand typically reaches its highest point in the fall as retailers, restaurants, and food-service operators prepare for the holiday. That means Thanksgiving an important date for buyers to have on their radar when planning orders.
For grocery stores, the increased demand creates an opportunity to build prominent fall produce displays. For restaurants and caterers, squash fits naturally into seasonal menus and Thanksgiving meals.
Now is the time to buy for volume
For buyers who use significant quantities of squash, the current peak in supply creates an opportunity to purchase in volume.
Squash stores well, so it’s not necessary to use everything immediately. Businesses that process or freeze squash can take advantage of current supply and volume pricing to build inventory for use later.
For processors, food-service operators, and other high-volume customers, buying now—or soon—can make more sense than waiting until demand is at its Thanksgiving peak.
A less-common variety worth trying — golden nugget
Among the less-common varieties available, golden nugget squash worth putting on your radar. Roasting brings out a sweet, nutty flavour that can work really well in fall dishes.
It’s also an example of why buyers don’t necessarily need to stick with the most familiar varieties. With dozens of Ontario squash varieties available during the local season, there are opportunities to introduce customers to different flavours, textures, and uses.
Ontario squash will remain strong through Thanksgiving
For Toronto-area wholesale produce buyers, the current window offers a combination of strong quality, good availability and favourable pricing.
The main Ontario squash season is expected to remain strong through Thanksgiving and beyond. Buyers planning fall promotions, Thanksgiving menus, or processing runs can take advantage of the current supply while the full range of varieties is available.
For businesses that use squash in volume, the opportunity is particularly straightforward: buy while supply is at its peak, take advantage of volume pricing, and plan ahead for Thanksgiving demand.