Re-invented Rural Romp promotes local agriculture

WELLINGTON COUNTY – A fall-favourite event for many families, the annual Fall Rural Romp, will have a new format this year.

Instead of a one-day farm and food tour, Taste Real has lined up over three weeks of in-person and virtual farm and food experiences, events, and fall foods for the public to explore on their own time.

The event runs from Sept. 19 until Oct. 12 (Thanksgiving Monday) and features several new components, including a Fall Flavours Map. This online local food map showcases signature harvest products and fall tastes from over 50 Wellington County and Guelph businesses.

“Our goal is to entice the public to plan their own ‘Rural Romp’ around some of the excellent products available,” says County of Wellington economic development committee chair George Bridge. “We would like to encourage everyone to continue to support local farms and food businesses and enjoy outdoor experiences this fall.”

The website also highlights fall favourite outings, such as pumpkin patches, apple picking, and other agri-tourism experiences available locally.

In addition to in-person activities, the website also features a number of virtual options such as cooking classes, farm tour videos, events, and more.

The public is encouraged to always check hours, purchasing procedures, and location-specific details when planning to visit a farm and local food business. Some agri-tourism experiences require prebooking and will have special health and safety rules in place to manage a safe experience.

Another new Rural Romp feature is the Taste Real Box, a local food box featuring fall foods from Wellington County and Guelph businesses. The box is available to order through guelphbox.ca and will be delivered to homes across the regions on Oct. 1.

More information on the Fall Rural Romp and Taste Real initiatives is available at www.tastereal.ca.