Savouring the land on a farm-to-fork road trip

What if your next road trip was not just a drive, but a chance to taste the land?

The farm-to-fork experience is rooted in simplicity. It’s about picking sun-warmed tomatoes, meeting the grower who plucked your carrots from the ground that morning, and savouring a glass of a sparkling local beverage under the canopy of a shady maple tree.

Think roadside stands, family-run kitchens, and the feeling that you’ve found something real and rare on a winding country road.

Across South Eastern Ontario, this way of life is quietly thriving. Farmers’ markets are abuzz with chatter. Kids chase each other between rows of sunflowers. Chefs build menus from whatever arrived from the field next door that morning. It’s the kind of travel that asks nothing of you except to show up hungry and curious.

Here’s where to follow your nose and your appetite in 2025.

Prince Edward County to Bay of Quinte: Sip, Savour & Stroll Through Ontario’s Countryside Charms

Prince Edward County leans into its rural roots with vineyards, farmers’ markets and flavourful plates.

Sip local at Closson Chase and Sandbanks Estate Winery, where grapes grow just beyond the patio.

Grab a seat at The Drake Devonshire or The Waring House, where local flavours shape the daily menu.

Meander through the Wellington or Belleville farmers’ markets and fill your basket with whatever’s in season.

My Oliver Farmhouse is a charming countryside venue offering curated events, workshops, and seasonal gatherings in a beautifully restored rural setting where creativity, connection, and celebration come naturally.

In the Bay of Quinte, hands-on experiences connect visitors to local farms, makers, and stories. From horseback rides and floral workshops to beekeeping and historic crafts, every visit offers something real and memorable. It’s a place to truly engage.

Kingston to Frontenac & L&A: Fresh Finds and Fall Farm Days

Bloom Farm in Frontenac County and Lennox and Addington’s Mackinnon Brothers host low-key events with local pours and wood-fired fare.

From Kingston farms to your fork, there is something for every appetite. From old limestone buildings to hidden lakeside farms, this area feels timeless.

At the Kingston Public Market, you’ll find fresh bread still warm from the oven, and gooey butter tarts dripping with sweetness.

A special event that draws huge crowds and lots to see and do for the entire family is the fall open farm days, which are fast approaching. From Sept. 5-7, 2025, this is your chance to step behind the gate, meet the growers, and taste the land. Make it a weekend and enjoy your time in Kingston and Frontenac County.

Apples, Comfort Food & Countryside Charm Along the St. Lawrence River & Rideau Lakes

In the heart of Leeds & the Thousand Islands, dining is a connection. At The Ivy Restaurant, menus shift with the seasons, and ingredients come from nearby farms. Rapid Valley Restaurant serves generous, home-style meals that feel plucked from a country kitchen but are plated right. And at Cornwall’s Pub or the Glen House Resort/Smuggler’s Glen, locally inspired dishes blend comfort and care with riverside views.

Stop in at the Gananoque Farmers' Market or enjoy a relaxed meal at Stonewater Gastro Pub.

Rideau Lakes is a place where barns lean just right and the fields go on forever. From farm to table, meet the growers of the municipality here.

Some special mentions would be Miller’s Bay Farm, where this generational family-run farmstand is filled with fresh goodness, including gourds galore in season.

Hall’s Apple Market serves fresh-off-the-tree apples, hot cider and other treats from the bakery.

Wendy’s Country Market and Furnace Falls Farm in Lyndhurst is a short country drive from Gananoque. This is a charming on-the-farm destination. Housed in a restored 19th-century schoolhouse, the market showcases food from over 70 local producers. Their special events venue, a restored farmhouse and barn, is close by.

A unique experience can be had at the No. 9 Gardens, which mixes food, art, and education in a way that feels both grounded and inspiring.

Tucked between farmland and forest, Kemptville is a relaxed little food haven where the flavours are bold, the markets are buzzing, and the comfort food hits just right.

Sunday at the Kemptville Farmers’ Market is a local tradition, but if you’re looking for an interesting sit-down meal, try the Hard Stones Grill. This place offers comfort food done right, no fuss, bursting with local flavours.

Set along the St. Lawrence River, Brockville offers a bounty of farm-fresh produce, small-town hospitality, and long-standing culinary traditions. Here, local food is a source of pride.

Stop by the Brockville Farmers’ Market early for the best pick.

Maison Maitland is part cooking class, part countryside escape.

Tincap Berry Farm is a mid-summer rite of passage. From strawberries to sweet corn, these delicious offerings are picked fresh daily.

Sweet Ofelia Cafe & Market Cooking Classes. This is a fantastic cozy community spot where great coffee, global snacks, and good company come together. From hard-to-find Asian groceries to imported treats and warm hospitality, it’s a welcoming hub for connection, culture, and comfort.

Sweet Days and Slow Living in the SDG Counties

There is something sweet in the air in SDG Counties, maybe it is the fruit, or maybe it is the slower pace of life. In South Glengarry, Springfield Farm Organics welcomes visitors with market garden produce, maple syrup and honey from their Environmental Farm Oasis. During Savour the Field, August 22 to 24, they will host a special brunch celebrating seasonal flavours and warm community spirit.

This year, Savour the Field features 28 farms, kitchens, breweries and artisans from Navan to Bainsville. Friday and Saturday offer self-guided tours with an online itinerary builder to help plan your route, while Sunday closes with a farm-to-table feast. Along the way, discover wood-fired pizza made with farm-fresh toppings, taste local wines and brews, and shop for cheeses, flowers, honey and handcrafted goods, all set against the backdrop of Eastern Ontario’s scenic countryside.

Cornerstone Organics is a certified organic family farm in Long Sault, known for its fresh seasonal produce, handmade teas, and sustainable practices. With a thriving CSA program, aquaponic vegetables, and on-site workshops, it’s a hub for healthy living and community connection.

Ferme Butte & Bine Farm is a small-scale, regenerative farm near Cornwall, Ontario, where fresh, seasonal produce is grown with care using organic and permaculture practices. Their on-site café brings the farm’s bounty to the table, offering a warm, community-focused space where visitors can taste the true flavours of the land.

Some farmers’ market goodness can be found through the SD&G counties

• Glamp at Springfield Farm, where syrup and sunshine go hand-in-hand.
• Les Vergers Villeneuve hosts long-table meals where every bite has a backstory.
• Long Sault Farmers’ Market, Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.
• Maxville Community Market, Friday from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Williamsburg Country Market, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Glengarry Market: The Glengarry Market offers a delicious array of fresh, locally sourced foods from over 50 vendors across SD&G and Cornwall. Visitors can enjoy everything from fresh produce and gluten-friendly baked goods to specialty items, all celebrating the rich flavours of the region’s farm-to-table heritage.

And a little something different can be found at Marlin’s Orchards west of Summerstown.. A beloved family-run destination for over 60 years, it offers visitors a rich agri-tourism experience with fresh apples, heirloom veggies, and expert gardening advice. Guests can connect with the land, explore vibrant greenhouses, and enjoy farm-fresh produce that celebrates the farm-to-table tradition.

Or try Fraser Creek Pizza Farm. This is a family-owned and operated agribusiness dedicated to agriculture and the food on our plate. We grow as much as we possibly can for our pizza ingredients. We serve woodfire-cooked, take-out pizzas.

Let’s not forget Cornwall. Enjoy a sit-down dinner at one of these many eateries in Cornwall that overflow with fresh flavour and colour.

Or check out the Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market. It takes place on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This market is an all-local, producer-only market, which means everything for sale is grown or made by the people selling, with the majority of products being produced in SD&G.

From Orchards to Vineyards: Tasting Your Way Through Prescott–Russell

Maps don’t matter in Prescott-Russell, just follow the scent of cider and wood smoke to The Broue & Chew Road Trip leads you past orchards, brewers, and hidden picnic spots.

Spotted on the scenic hills of Champlain Township, Vankleek Hill Vineyard is a hidden gem for wine lovers chasing fall colours and crisp pours. This boutique vineyard grows cold-hardy grapes right on site and crafts small-batch wines you can sample in their rustic-chic tasting room or out on the patio. Come for the view, stay for the rosé, and don’t leave without grabbing a bottle (or two) for your next dinner party.

Some roads aren’t meant to be rushed. Bring a cooler, some good company, and maybe a sun hat. Let the backroads guide you to what’s fresh, what’s local, and what’s quietly unforgettable. And for something truly unique, stop in at Gibbs Honey in Vankleek Hill, where Canada’s first fully-certified honey sommelier offers hands-on tastings that reveal just how much the land shapes the flavour of every drop.

Bon appétit and see you out there on the back roads.