A Food Tour through Hastings County, Ontario
Sandwiched between Ottawa and Peterborough, nestling among rolling fields in a picturesque country landscape, lies a foodie's hidden paradise in Hastings County. From small family-run craft cider producers to 4th generation farmers, warm, friendly and hard-working people make this community in Eastern Ontario one of the best culinary hidden gems in the region. Take a road trip through Hastings County and unleash your inner foodie on our Hastings County Food Trail!
Kings Mill Cider
Located in the heart of nature beside the Kings Mill Conservation area on Squire Creek (former home to a grist mill called the Kings Mill), Kings Mill Cider is home to some of the best craft cider in Ontario. With over 6 acres of orchards and over 800 semi-dwarf trees, owners Kees and Margaret have perfected their cider game. Kings Mill grows over 10 different varieties of apples, including russets (used in their popular Russet Heritage cider), Gala, Northern Spy, Ginger Golds, as well as European cider apples like Kingston Black, Yarlington Mills and Brown Snout. Using only hand-picked Ontario-grown apples, this small family-run craft cider producer has over 15 unique ciders available, from their Premium and Hopped ciders, to flavourful creations like blueberry, raspberry and strawberry rhubarb. A must-try is their Ontario Mule cider, combining ginger, bubbles, and lemon balm from the onsite organic herb garden.
Take a peek into the fermentation and distilling process through a small window in the tasting room, and then enjoy a flight of ciders and a stone-fired pizza on their patio overlooking the orchard and grounds. Pizzas and ciders are also available for curbside pickup - the perfect combo for a backyard dinner or a tasty picnic for two.
New for 2020, Kings Mill offers a luxurious new glamping experience in spacious thoughtfully-decorated yurts nestled among the apple orchard. Each yurt has its own travel-inspired theme (Kees and Margaret are avid world travellers), and intricate touches like a Nepalese prayer flag, leather pouffe cushions, and brass sound bowls in the Katmandu Yurt, truly enhance the space. Each stay includes one of their mouth-watering customizable pizzas (we recommend adding the Buffalo Mozzarella from nearby Ontario Water Buffalo Company just a 2 min drive down the road), and a flight of 5 ciders. Cozy blankets and the sounds of nature will lull you to sleep, and a scrumptious breakfast of fresh coffee, oven-fresh croissants, fresh fruit and cheese await you the next morning.
Ontario Water Buffalo Company
Homemade buffalo milk gelato, mouthwatering cheeses, tender steaks, and fresh milk straight from the buffalo are just some of the amazing culinary treasures awaiting you at the Ontario Water Buffalo Company. This 750-acre working water buffalo farm located just down the road from Kings Mill Cider, is home to over 600 friendly water buffalo. After lengthy research into buffalo farms abroad, owners Martin and Lori began the Ontario Water Buffalo Company in 2008 with 40 Italian-bred water buffalo from Vermont, becoming the first milking water buffalo herd in Eastern Ontario.
While you wouldn't be able to tell from the taste, buffalo milk is higher in fat and protein than cow's milk, and as a result it's used in numerous food products. The farm ships their buffalo milk to several factories across Ontario to be transformed into a variety of cheeses including Truffalo; a brushed rind gouda combined with truffles, premium buffalo Parmesan, buffalo Asiago and of course the classic buffalo mozzarella. Their small country shop also offers sinful homemade buffalo milk gelatos made onsite in both traditional and inventive flavours, as well as chocolate-enrobed ice cream bars and even buffalo milk soap! A selection of meat is also available, from buffalo steaks, pepperettes and even buffalo-filled croquettes. To complete your dinner spread add some homemade jarred goods like fresh pasta sauce, caramelized red onion chutney, stewed apples and cucumber relish made by Sarah from the farm.
Touring the property is a great way to get an insight into the intricacies of a working buffalo farm. Watch the herds roaming the pastures, sneak a peek in the barns housing newborn calves, and catch some other animal sightings, including horses, adorable barn kittens and trusty barn dogs. Tours are available by appointment only, so plan in advance so you don't miss out on this fun and educational experience.
The Apple Store - Cooney Farms
The Cooney family are fourth generation farmers in the tightly-knit farming community of Stirling, Ontario. With over 1000 acres of farm land in the picturesque countryside, the Cooney's history in farming has deep roots dating back over 100 years. Over the decades the farm evolved from a dairy operation; delivering milk door-to-door, to a major apple producer, and even tomato grower. Cooney Farms has now settled into their niche of raising cattle, growing crops like corn, soy beans and wheat, and running their cozy country-themed general store, the Apple Store, an ode to their orchard days.
With its signature red facade and wrap-around porch, the Apple Store is a destination in itself .While the Cooneys no longer grow apples onsite, their charming country store is a great place to find country-themed giftware and kitchenware accessories, products from nearby producers including apples , cheese and their own homegrown beef. Some local items worth putting in your shopping basket are home-baked butter tarts from Paradise Tarts, fresh honey from Two Sisters Hive and Honey in Stirling, and sticky sweet maple syrup from nearby O'hara Sugar Maples in Madoc.
Ivanhoe Cheese
If you're a cheese lover it’s your moral imperative to make a stop at Ivanhoe Cheese, Canada's oldest cheese factory! Located just outside of Madoc, Ontario, Ivanhoe Cheese's beginnings date back to 1870 where it began as a small dairy cooperative. Back in the 1940s Hastings County was known as the cheese capital of Canada, home to over 100 cheese factories! In 1986 Ivanhoe Cheese became a private company and is now part of Ontario's largest dairy cooperative, Gay Lea Foods.
Known for their award-winning artisinal cheddars, they also offer a selection of specialty cheeses, including flavoured Monterey Jacks and smoked Goudas, alongside kosher and Halal options. The cheese store has a fun country corner full of home decor, and they also serve up old fashioned milkshakes, and delicious ice cream from Kawartha Dairy.
Hidden Goldmine Bakery
Located on the main thoroughfare in downtown Madoc Ontario, Hidden Goldmine Bakery is a grassroots bakery with humble beginnings. Owners Cheryl and Brad Freeman first began baking with their daughters for local community fairs and craft sales, and in 2004 decided to make it official and built a small bakery into their family home. In 2012 they expanded into the historic Kincaid Building on Durham St, where today you can find fresh fruit pies, home-baked breads and their signature Hidden Goldmine Fudge Nugget; a nod to the local area which was home to the first gold mine in Ontario. Their famous butter tarts are worth the stop alone, and can be found in different flavours like pecan, raspberry and coconut raspberry, for the more adventurous foodie. For those craving a hearty lunch or a quick snack, they also serve up an assortment of homemade sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, as well as a host of coffees and teas, both hot and iced. Enjoy your baker's bounty on their small covered patio out back, or grab some goods to go for the drive home.
Picnic at O’hara Mill Homestead
There's no better place to enjoy a picnic basket full of local goods than at the O'hara Mill Homestead and Conservation Area. Take a stroll around the expansive grounds once home to the O’hara family, and view heritage buildings dating back to the mid-1800's including original buildings like the farmhouse, sawmill, carriage-house and woodworking shop. Seven short scenic wooded trails also encircle the grounds for those looking for a longer hike to stretch their legs (or walk off those butter tarts!), and the iconic covered bridge provides a great backdrop for a beautiful photo opp. Picnic tables dot the grounds with scenic views of the tranquil pond and colourful gardens, providing the perfect ambiance to enjoy a picnic of fresh foods from local producers.
To find more information, or to plan your foodie trip, visit Hastings County.
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Hastings County Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
