U of G Asparagus Varieties Signal Start of Local Food Season

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says the asparagus available in stores now is the first real sign that Ontario's local food season is underway. Ontario is Canada’s leading asparagus producing region, and most Ontario asparagus grows in Norfolk County.

Asparagus is produced in multiple varieties developed for Canadian growing conditions, and the crop has also been optimized to improve yields in the face of unpredictable weather. Many farms grow modern, all-male hybrid varieties like Millennium asparagus, developed at the University of Guelph.

The new varieties are better suited to Ontario’s climate and produce higher yields. More than 90 per cent of asparagus grown in Canada today is Millennium.

Read the story from OFA, or you can see what’s in season by using the OFA’s Home Grown web portal.

Ontario media outlets are showing their support for this year's asparagus crop, highlighting fresh local food and U of G's contributions in:

Simcoe.com: Ontario asparagus hits roadside stands and markets this week

The Grower: Asparagus signals the start of Ontario’s fresh food season | The Grower

Inside Halton: Ontario asparagus hits roadside stands and markets this week