Fall is a wonderful time of year to discover all that the Outaouais has to offer. The markets are still well-stocked, the orchards invite us to stock up on apples, and local producers and processors offer an impressive variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and processed goods. It’s the perfect time to take on the “Défi je mange local” and set out to discover the flavors of the region.
The Défi je mange local encourages us to source food as close to home as possible, while keeping the experience simple and enjoyable. To give us a little extra motivation, bingo-style cards offer different challenges to complete. The goal isn’t to change everything, but rather to discover new ways to bring local products into our everyday lives.
So, what challenges can we take on in the Outaouais this fall?
Visit a farmers’ market in your area
And the Outaouais has plenty of options to choose from! From Chapeau to Ripon, with stops in Bristol, Chelsea, Gatineau, Val-des-Monts and Wakefield, farmers’ markets that are still open offer consumers the opportunity to meet local farmers and food processors and discover the products that make our region so rich.
Trying something new is another easy challenge to take on
And the Outaouais has plenty of surprises in store! Why not try L’Attrape Coeur cheese from La Trappe à Fromage, cook with gourmet mushrooms from Champignons Outaouais, spread some jam from Miss Marmelades, swap your usual flour for flour from Moulin Egan, or discover a craft lemonade from Monsieur Limonade?
The Croquez l’Outaouais! business directory is full of local discoveries like these.
A visit to a local farm can also be a great fall activity
Of course, apple picking remains a fall favourite! Verger et Cidrerie Merleau in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau welcomes visitors for apple picking from late August to mid-October, while Verger Croque-Pomme also offers apple picking in an agrotourism setting. But why not take advantage of the season to try something different? Enjoy a visit and tasting at Vignoble Les Collines in Luskville, stop by Ferme Juniper to explore its farm store and café, or visit Ferme Brylee, a fifth-generation farm specializing in grass-fed beef and lamb. These are just a few ways to discover the work and know-how of local farmers.
And the challenge can also start in the kitchen
Why not start with the produce you find at the market or directly from farmers and processors, and then plan a meal around them? Potatoes, turnips, and cabbage from Ferme Vianney and Marguerite Turcot can form the basis of a hearty soup or a comforting dish, while fresh vegetables from Serres Gatineau can inspire a salad or a colorful side dish. To round it all out, you can add milk from Laiterie de l’Outaouais or meat from Ferme Moreau. No need for a complicated recipe; sometimes, a few good local ingredients are all it takes to inspire an entire meal.
For even more ideas, the Croquez l’Outaouais! campaign, an initiative of the Table agroalimentaire de l’Outaouais, lets you discover local businesses and plan your explorations. And for those who prefer to shop online, the Outaouais Market is open year-round and offers more than 2,000 regional products. This fall, there’s no need to aim for perfection. Simply choose a challenge, make a discovery and see where it takes you! And most importantly, take a photo of your discoveries. Complete a line on your DÉFI card and submit your proof to enter a contest for a chance to win some great prizes.
The Défi je mange local is a great excuse to rediscover our region, one bite at the time.