Autumn is well and truly under way and with it the harvest season, which for visitors and locals alike, offer gourmet getaways and activities by the score. The Eastern Townships is among the top four destinations for Quebecers who love local and regional produce and the quality and variety of our region’s offerings do not disappoint!
The importance of gourmet tourism
As a destinations for agritourism/gourmet tourism, the Eastern Townships holds second place in the province of Quebec. 263 establishments operate in this sector, generating more than 800 direct jobs – many more jobs when agricultural workers and food producers are factored into the equation.
Agritourism (in its various forms) is becoming more and more popular. In 2022, it accounted for 2.7 person visits[3]. Among overnight visitors and daytrippers, gourmet/culinary tourism was cited, not surprisingly, among the most popular reasons for coming to the Eastern Townships.
Food, food and more food…..
Are you looking for some tasty delights or ingredients for a fall dinner? Look no further! In the Townships you’ll face an embarrassment of choices. The region has close to 180 certified agritourism businesses branded under Créateurs de saveurs (Creators of flavours) and they offer a great selection of locally produced meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, bread, pastries (and more).
Cheese lovers have the choice of 14 artisanal cheese makers. They are part of the Les Têtes fromagères network whose members produce more than 100 types of cheeses – fine, grain, raw milk, sheep’s and goat’s milk cheese. BTW the Fromagerie Nouvelle-France in Racine has just won the Caseus d’Or for the fourth consecutive year. The winning cheese was its Zacharie Cloutier cheese – the best one in Quebec!
Our region also has close to 40 public/farmers markets, some of which are open year round and shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables gives visitors a great opportunity to chat to the local farmers and food producers. In the spring of course, you can visit our sugar shacks (20 are open to the public) – just the right time to enjoy the tradition of tasting oh-so-sweet maple taffy (though some also sell local produce and remain open at other times of year.)
Drinks to tempt your palate
The cradle of viticulture in Quebec, the Townships has around 40 wineries that alone account for more than 60% of the province’s wine production. 1980 saw the establishment of the very first vineyard – Dunham’s Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise, which is still in operation. That was followed by the first designated wine route in Quebec – Brome-Missisquoi’s Route des vins – which, this year, celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The Eastern Townships is also the leading region (outside Greater Montreal and Quebec City) for the brewing of beer. The Brasseurs des Cantons is a grouping of around 30 microbreweries that use craft production methods and incorporate local ingredients. Between them, the microbreweries offer almost 500 Townships’ branded brews.
If you enjoy locally-produced alcohol, you’ll be pleased to learn that the region is also home to a dozen cider makers, as well as 7 microdistilleries.
Celebrating our foodie culture
The Eastern Townships plays host to more than 20 festivals and events celebrating our local products and foodie culture. Some have been around for a couple of decades! Among them are the Festival des traditions du monde in Sherbrooke, the Fête des Vendanges harvest festival in Magog and the Gourmet Festival in Val-de-Sources.
Don’t miss these gourmet events!
Les Comptonales: October 7-8
Le Grand Marché des récoltes: October 9
Bromont à la Ferme: Every weekend until October 15
La Foire aux citrouilles: October 14-15
Sherbrooke met la table: October 13-29
