December is the season for eating delicious food, getting out in the snow, and spending time with your favourite people.
To help you get your local Greenbelt fix this holiday season we’ve compiled our top five tips for eating local, buying local, and exploring the Greenbelt.
From a list of Greenbelt Christmas tree farms, to year-round farms and farmers’ markets, to profiles of Niagara artisans and their holiday goods - we’ve got everything you need to know to get the most of the Greenbelt’s bounty this December.
To get you started on adding local to your holidays, we’ve put together our 5 top tips for supporting local Greenbelt farmers and producers this holiday season!
1. Get outside and enjoy the snow! From hiking to ice skating and ice fishing, check out what your conservation authorities have to offer this holiday season. Visit Peel Region and area, Durham Region, Niagara Region, York Region, and Halton Region for details.
2. Take your family to a local Christmas Tree Farm to buy pre-cut or to cut your own Christmas Trees - find the closest one to you here. Our top picks are: Spademan Tree Farm in Port Perry, Horton Tree Farms in Souffville, Elliott Tree Farm in Hillsburgh, Clembrook Christmas Farm in Milton, and Piotts’ Tree Farm in Lincoln.
3. Holiday meal must-haves:
Fresh local produce - Visit a local farmers’ market or farm that is open year round to stock up on local produce.
Niagara wine - Get local wine delivered to your home with this tool.
Local meat - From beef and chicken to duck, find the closest farm that sells your favourite meat.
In-season meal ideas - Make the best potato latkes, winter vegetable stew, butternut squash soup, and apple crisp for dessert! Get more meal ideas here.
4. Skip the mall madness and give your loved ones locally produced crafts! See our local gift guide from Niagara.
5. Attend local events that celebrate the holiday season in your area. Read our top picks from York Region, Durham Region and all over the Greenbelt. The following are a few highlights:
December 5: Santa Claus Parade of Lights & Farmers Parade of Lights in Schomberg.
December 5 to 6: Have Lunch with Santa at Downey’s Farm in Caledon.
December 5, 6, 12 and 13: Take a ride on the Puddicombe Polar Express in Hamilton.
January 15 to 31: Niagara Icewine Festival in Niagara Falls.
Make sure to check us out on social media - we’ll be sharing local eating tips and Greenbelt holiday ideas all season long. To follow along with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation “like” our Facebook page or follow our Twitter Handle @greenbeltca to keep up to date on these tips!
– Andreea Nicoara
