Farms, Food and Fun; A Foodie’s Guide to Hastings County, Ontario
Sandwiched between Ottawa and Peterborough, surrounded by rolling country fields and abundant agricultural land, lies a foodie's hidden paradise; Hastings County. Small family-run producers, 4th generation farmers, along with warm, friendly and hard-working locals make this Eastern Ontario community one of the best in the region. Take a road trip through Hastings County this summer and unleash your appetite on a foodie adventure through Hastings County, Ontario.
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 in Stirling, ON, 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.
Along with their unique buffalo cheeses, their small country shop, “The Buff Stuff Store”, offers sinful homemade buffalo milk gelato made onsite in a variety of tasty flavours, as well as chocolate-enrobed ice cream bars and even buffalo milk soap! A selection of buffalo meat is also available for purchase, including 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.
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, kitchenware accessories, plus plenty of fresh products from nearby producers including apples, cheeses 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, 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 1940’s 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 artisanal cheddars, they also offer a selection of specialty cheeses, including flavoured Monterey Jacks, 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 they supply local and visitors with their share of decadent baked goods.
Make room in the backseat and scoop up some of the bakery’s specialties including fresh fruit pies, home-baked breads and their signature Hidden Goldmine Fudge Nugget; a nod to the first gold mine in Ontario, located in Hastings County. Their famous butter tarts are worth the stop alone, and beyond the classic raisin tarts you can find flavours like pecan, raspberry, and coconut raspberry.
If you’re looking for a lunch spot, you can find some tasty menu items beyond the sweets. Choose from an assortment of homemade paninis, frittatas, soups, fresh salads, and pair is with a coffee or tea, either hot and iced. Enjoy your baker's bounty on their small covered patio out back, or box it up 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. Some cool buildings not to miss are original buildings like the farmhouse, sawmill, carriage-house and woodworking shop. Seven short and scenic wooded trails also encircle the grounds for those wanting to stretch their legs (or walk off the 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.
