What’s In Season: And Why We Still Offer You Options
We Get It 🇨🇦 You Want to Support Canadian Products
Published by Farmer’s Pick • July 2025
So Do We!
At Farmer’s Pick, we’ve built our business on strong relationships with Ontario and Quebec growers. For over 30 years, we’ve proudly supported Canadian farms and suppliers — and nothing has changed about that.
But we’ve heard some concerns lately. Why are there U.S. items in our flyer and social media? Why promote imported produce at all?
Let’s talk about that — honestly, and transparently.
What’s In Season in Canada Right Now?
You’ll find these fresh Canadian favourites on our shelves today:
✅ Strawberries, MacIntosh apples, raspberries, cherries, and blueberries
✅ Greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, and all lettuce varieties
✅ Ontario carrots, beets, onions, radishes, green onions, cabbage, and potatoes
✅ Zucchini, snap peas, cauliflower, broccoli
Coming soon:
🌽 Sweet Ontario corn, fresh garlic
🍑 Peaches, nectarines, watermelon and cantaloupe
🍇 Grapes, plums, and apples
We bring in these items as soon as local fields allow — from across Eastern Ontario, Quebec and across Canada. Sometimes even before the big chains. An excellent resource to learn more can be found in Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide.
“We buy Canadian first — that’s our policy. Always has been.”
But What About U.S. Products?
Here’s the truth:
When Canadian options aren’t available — due to weather, supply delays, or early-season gaps — we fill the gaps with affordable, fresh produce from places like the U.S., Mexico, Chile, and many other countries internationally.
This includes items like:
• Romaine lettuce (before local harvest)
• Citrus, bananas, avocados (not grown in Canada)
• Peppers and tomatoes (when local prices are high or supply is low)
We clearly label all origins. And we always try to offer both Canadian and U.S. options side-by-side — so you can decide.
This Isn’t About Politics. It’s About Feeding Families.
Trade tensions, tariffs, and global supply issues are real — and they’re affecting everyone in the food industry. But we’re not here to take sides.
We’re here to:
• Keep your fridge stocked
• Keep prices fair
• And keep our store open for the thousands of families who rely on us
“If we stopped carrying non-Canadian produce, many essentials would disappear — and many families would be left without affordable options.”
The Bigger Picture — And What It Means for You
Running a store like ours isn’t easy right now. We’re facing:
• Rising wholesale prices
• Shipping and fuel costs
• Tariffs on U.S. goods
• Pressure to compete with big box chains
We’re not looking for sympathy. Just understanding.
We don’t cut corners.
We don’t gouge.
And we certainly don’t take your trust for granted.
We Will Always Give You a Choice
Whether you want to buy only Canadian — or need to stretch your dollar with the best-priced fresh produce available — we support that.
Our job is to give you the option, not make the choice for you.
And we’ll always keep doing what’s right for:
• Our customers
• Our local farmers
• Our staff and their families
• And the future of this store
“This isn’t a protest. This is real life. And real families shop here.”
Thank You for Supporting Local
We are proud to be one of the last remaining independent grocery stores in Ottawa.
And we’re even more proud to have you with us.
Thank you for choosing us.
Thank you for asking good questions.
And thank you for supporting Canadian when you can — and Farmer’s Pick, always.
— The Farmer’s Pick Team
