(NC) The end of summer brings a return to school, work routines and the daily challenge of packing lunches and planning quick snacks. It also happens to be one of the best times of year to enjoy Ontario's fall harvest, making it easy to add fresh, local flavour to every meal.

Ontario-grown apples, carrots, beets, sweet peppers, cucumbers and many other fruits and vegetables are at their peak this time of year. They're perfect for lunches, after-school snacks, and busy workdays. Apple slices, carrot sticks, pepper strips or grape tomatoes are simple options that are ready to pack with little preparation.

How buying local helps

Shopping seasonally and locally also means you're often getting produce at its very best. Because local fruits and vegetables travel a much shorter distance from farm to store, they're typically fresher, full of flavour, and can last longer in your refrigerator. The shorter journey from farm to table also helps reduce emissions and minimizes food waste.

Buying local helps make your community more resilient. The more we can grow ourselves, the less vulnerable we are to potential disruptions in the food supply, both domestically and globally, which has never been more important.

Here are three simple snacks to try this fall:

• Apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon: A naturally sweet, no-fuss snack that travels well in any lunchbox.
• Carrot and pepper sticks with dip: Pair crunchy carrots and sweet pepper strips with hummus or your favourite dip for an easy snack.
• Grape tomato and cucumber bites: Simply wash and pack; add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavour.

As the days get longer, it’s a great time to enjoy some of the best Ontario has to offer. You can learn more about fruit and vegetable production at ofvga.org.

Fresh Ontario ingredients to inspire your school and workday meals

(NC) Between your family’s school and work routines, packing lunches and planning quick snacks can be a daily challenge. But Ontario's fall harvest makes it easy to add fresh, local flavour to every meal.

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