Seasonal · Ontario
Autumn 2026
Fresh every weekUpdated every Monday
Cooler evenings, full pots and busy schedules: autumn is soup and chili season at For Seasons. Here is what is cooking, what is in season in Ontario, and a few ideas to make the most of it.
New notes land every Monday, so there is always something fresh to read. Get them by email.
Last updated: November 9, 2026
What’s happening
Seasonal Notes
Ontario's corn harvest passes the halfway mark
Grain Farmers of Ontario estimated the province's corn harvest was 51% complete as of Wednesday, Nov 4, up from 24% a week earlier. Yields are strong overall, and a few days of rain gave farmers a short break after almost 20 straight days of harvesting. Grain Farmers of Ontario field observations, Nov 5, 2026
First flurries of the season could reach Durham this week
After a mild Tuesday, Environment Canada expects colder air from Wednesday night, with a chance of rain showers or flurries Thursday through Saturday. Toronto highs drop to 6 to 8 C with lows near zero, and Durham has a 60% chance of showers or flurries on Saturday. It's perfect weather for Chicken Stewp for the Soul or our White Chicken Chili. Environment Canada forecast, Nov 9, 2026 · insauga, Nov 8, 2026
High diesel costs could push up prices for imported winter produce
Food economists warn that record-high diesel costs could raise grocery prices this winter. University of Guelph food economist Mike von Massow says fresh vegetables that travel long distances or need refrigeration are the most exposed. Loblaw's October food inflation report also flagged rising freight costs. Ontario storage vegetables like carrots, cabbage, potatoes and squash travel less, which is one more reason our soups lean local. National Observer, Oct 9, 2026 · Loblaw October food inflation report, Oct 26, 2026
What's in season in Ontario this November
November is the last call for Ontario Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and radishes, while storage staples like carrots, cabbage, potatoes, parsnips, leeks and winter squash carry on. These are exactly the vegetables behind our Cabbage Roll Soup and Carrot Ginger soup, so it's peak soup season. Foodland Ontario availability guide
October roundup
October brought a mild, dry finish to the season: soybeans nearly all harvested, corn moving fast, and grocery inflation easing to its slowest pace in over two years, though beef stays pricey. Ontario root vegetables and squash are plentiful heading into winter.
Warm, dry fall speeds up Ontario's harvest
A run of sunny, mild weather has let Ontario farmers harvest almost non-stop. As of Oct 28, Grain Farmers of Ontario estimated the soybean harvest at 95% done and corn at 24%, up from 5% a week earlier. Winter wheat is planted and growing well. Syngenta market news
Grocery price growth slows, but beef is still climbing
Food bought from stores cost 1.7% more in September than a year earlier, the smallest rise since May 2024. Fresh vegetables were 2.9% cheaper, while fresh or frozen beef was up 8.7%. Veggie-forward comfort food like our Vegetarian Chili or Carrot Ginger soup is a great-value pick right now. Statistics Canada CPI, September 2026
In season in Ontario
Seasonal Items We Suggest
What is in season in Ontario this autumn, and easy ways to use it at home. Availability comes from the Foodland Ontario availability guide and can shift by a few weeks with weather and variety.
Produce in season
Cabbage
In season all fall.
Shred it into soups and stews, or braise it with onions and a little bacon.
At For Seasons: Cabbage Roll Soup
Potatoes
Available year round.
Mash them for a pie topping, or dice them into a chowder-style soup.
At For Seasons: Loaded Potato
Carrots, celery and onions
Carrots and cooking onions are year round; celery runs through about October.
The base of almost every good soup, so stock up and keep them on hand.
At For Seasons: Chicken Noodle
Winter squash and pumpkin
Winter squash is in season all fall; pumpkin runs through about October.
Roast in wedges with a little oil and salt, or purée into soup.
Broccoli and cauliflower
Broccoli runs through about October; cauliflower through November.
Roast cauliflower until golden, or fold broccoli into a cheesy soup.
At For Seasons: Broccoli Cheddar
Brussels sprouts and kale
In season through November.
Roast sprouts until crispy at the edges; stir kale into soups at the end.
Beets, parsnips, rutabaga and leeks
In season through fall and into winter.
Roast a tray of root vegetables for an easy side that reheats well.
Tomatoes and peppers
Field tomatoes and peppers run through about October; greenhouse tomatoes and peppers are year round.
Roast them for sauces and soups, or simmer into a pot of chili.
At For Seasons: Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato
Apples and pears
Pears are in season all fall; Ontario apples are available year round.
Slice with sharp cheddar, bake into a crisp, or add to a fall salad.
Cranberries
In season through about October.
Simmer into a quick sauce, or freeze a bag for the holidays.
From the Ontario farm and pantry
Honey and maple syrup
Ontario-made and available year round.
Drizzle on roasted squash or root vegetables, or stir into a vinaigrette.
Cheese, eggs and milk
Ontario dairy and eggs are available year round.
Grate a sharp cheddar over soup, or build a brunch around eggs and a French Toast Bake.
At For Seasons: French Toast Bake
Ontario beef, chicken and pork
Available year round.
Slow, gentle cooking suits the cooler weather: pot roast, braises and big pots of chili.
At For Seasons: Classic Beef (The OG) Chili
Cupboard staples for soup and chili season
Dried or canned beans and lentils
General pantry suggestion.
Keep a few on the shelf; they turn into a hearty chili or soup with very little effort.
At For Seasons: Vegetarian Chili
Good stock, canned tomatoes and dried herbs
General pantry suggestion.
The quick base for a weeknight pot of soup.
Freezer-safe containers
General pantry suggestion.
Cool soup before freezing and leave a little room at the top for it to expand.
Source for availability: Foodland Ontario availability guide.
What people are cooking
Trends
A few general food trends we are seeing this season. These are observations, not statistics.
Soup as a full meal
A big bowl of soup or chili, with bread or a salad, is a dinner on its own. That is exactly what a 1 litre container is for.
Read more: Tastewise: soup trends
Make-ahead and freezer-friendly cooking
As schedules fill up in the fall, more people are stocking the freezer with soups, chilis and bakes they can heat on a busy night. Bean soups, puréed soups and chilis tend to freeze especially well.
Read more: Food Network: make-ahead soups
Better-quality frozen food
Frozen is no longer a compromise. Good frozen meals are a convenient, reliable weeknight option, which is why we offer frozen while supplies last.
Read more: Home cooking trends 2026
Batch cooking with variety
Instead of eating the same container five days in a row, many home cooks are mixing and matching: one soup, one chili and one tray bake can carry a whole week.
Read more: Home cooking trends 2026
Cooking with what is local and in season
Autumn is when Ontario's root vegetables, squash, cabbage and apples are at their best, and they are a natural fit for soups, pies and bakes.
Stay in the loop
Weekly seasonal notes & flash freezer sales
Fresh every weekUpdated every Monday
New notes land every Monday. Sign up and we’ll email them to you, along with a heads-up when something is new on the menu or a flash freezer sale is on.
Giving back, one season at a time
A Seasonal Tradition: Harvest Hero
Harvest Hero is the For Seasons program that shares food with neighbours who need it, and recognizes the local heroes who go above and beyond each season. Harvest Hero now accepts cash donations (spent only on food, with receipts shared with donors) and runs a new Family Pantry Fill-Up program. It is a For Seasons program, not a registered charity, so no tax receipts are issued.
Learn about Harvest Hero