Thanksgiving weekend brings a massive boost to local agriculture across New Brunswick. Producers see a surge in customers looking for fresh produce to fill their holiday tables. According to a recent report from CTV News, farmers in the Fredericton area are experiencing strong sales driven by a growing desire to buy local.

Chuck Everett owns the Everett Family Orchard near Fredericton. (Image source: Anna Mandin / CTV News Atlantic)

Apple Harvest Bounces Back

Visitors flocked to the Everett Family Orchard near Fredericton this past weekend. They picked apples, enjoyed the outdoors, and supported a local business during the final days of the apple season. Owner Chuck Everett says his crops look much healthier today than they did a year ago.

“The apples are doing better than last year. Quite a bit better. We had a drought last year,” Everett told CTV News.

Economic worries made Everett question if families would spend money at the orchard this fall. Those fears never materialized. He notes that customer numbers match or exceed previous years, and he continues to see new faces in the crowd.

The Biggest Day of the Year

The rush extends beyond the orchards and into local markets. Vendors at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market consider the Thanksgiving weekend their most profitable time.

“Thanksgiving, I always think of it as the farmer’s Christmas because that’s when everybody’s trying to get their stuff and that’s your biggest day of the year basically for us and our sales this year,” said Daniel Boudreau, owner of Silver Valley Farms.

Boudreau says his sales remain strong. He credits a rising interest in Canadian goods for keeping his business steady.

Shoppers Choose Local Produce

Consumers actively seek out domestic products over imported goods. Trade tensions between Canada and the United States push many shoppers to rethink their grocery habits. Local shopper Mallory Kelly visits the market weekly to ensure her food comes from nearby farms.

“Definitely just trying to pay more attention, especially at the grocery stores, as to where my produce is coming from, and then try to buy more locally at the markets here as I can,” Kelly said. She encourages others to come out and support the market.

When you choose to buy your groceries from local vendors, you directly support the New Brunswick economy and help farmers thrive during their busiest season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Thanksgiving important for local farmers?

Thanksgiving serves as the peak sales weekend for many agricultural producers. Farmers often refer to it as their Christmas because families buy large amounts of fresh food for holiday meals.

How did the apple harvest perform this year?

Orchards report a strong harvest this season. The crop improved significantly compared to last year when a drought damaged the yield.

What drives the increase in local food sales?

Shoppers want to support the local economy and avoid imported goods. Ongoing trade disputes encourage consumers to buy Canadian products directly from farmers markets.