If your campsite cooking tends to rely on canned beans and wieners, it’s time to kick things up a notch. Before you pull into the campground, make some quick stops at local farm stands and markets to stock your cooler with local produce, baked goods and meats. Don’t forget to give the campsite cooking crew a night or two off by taking advantage of delicious takeout options from nearby restaurants. The following suggestions are guaranteed to create a pack of well-fed and happy campers!
Windsor Essex Area
Setting up camp at Sturgeon Woods Campground or Holiday Beach Conservation Area?
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- The Dutch House Country Market, Leamington
- Stop 459 Neufeld & Sons, Cottam
- Lee and Maria’s Market, Kingsville
- The Fruit Wagon, Harrow
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
In Kingsville, Jack’s Gastropub has tasty burgers, delicious Lake Erie Pickerel and chips and gourmet mac and cheese.
Perfect Pairing Suggestion: Pick up a bottle of Cabernet Franc from nearby Muscedere Vineyards to enjoy with Jack’s Shawarma lamb burger.
Sarnia Lambton Area
Setting up camp at Pinery Provincial Park, Paradise Valley, Silver Birches Park, Warwick Conservation Area, Birch Bark Estates, Klondyke Trailer Park, Lakewood Christian Campground, Lambton Centre, or Green Haven Trailer Park?
Photo above of Paradise Valley.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Macklin’s Farm Produce, Sarnia
- Awesome Berries and Gardens, Thedford
- Juicy Fruit Orchards and Farm Market, Lambton Shores
- Gwen’s Garden Produce, Grand Bend
- Bompa’s Farm Fresh Produce, Dresden
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
Albert’s Rolling Lunch has been selling its homemade fries and burgers from beneath the Blue Water Bridge for over 50 years.
Chatham-Kent Area
Setting up camp at Campers Cove, Wheatley Provincial Park, C.M. Wilson Conservation Area, Clearville Park, Rondeau Provincial Park or Lakeside Village Campground?
Photo above of C.M. Wilson Conservation Area.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
Chatham-Kent is home to so many excellent little bakeries the region has created its very own Bakery Trail. Stop by a few of the trail’s 19 stops to stock up on treats for leisurely breakfasts and desserts with no campfire cooking required!
- Pardo’s Berrie Farm, Blenheim
- Delhaven Orchards, Blenheim
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
If you’re craving wood-fired pizza, but not quite brave enough to try making one over a campfire, hit Centro Wood Fired Kitchen in Chatham and bring back a big stack of pies to your campsite.
London-Middlesex Area
Setting up camp at Komoka Provincial Park, Fanshawe Conservation Area, Prospect Hill Campground, Riverview Campground, Trout Haven Park, Great Canadian Hideaway, Silver Dove Estates or Windmill Family Campground?
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Thomas Bros Farm Market, London
- Adelaide Farms, Arva
- Heeman’s Strawberry Farm and Greenhouses, Thorndale
- Covent Garden Market, London
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
Follow London’s fantastic collection of food trucks like Big Daddy Bacon, Pierogi Queen, New Leaf Plant-Based Food and The Donut Diva for a fun take on easy campfire cuisine. Check the London Food Truck Association Facebook page to find out where the trucks are currently parked.
Elgin County Area
Setting up camp at Port Burwell Provincial Park, Big Otter Campground, Dalewood Conservation Area, Lake Whittaker Conservation Area, Springwater Conservation Area, Sand Hill Park, Golden Pond RV Resort or Solitude Nature Reserve?
Photo above of Lake Whittaker Conservation Area.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Howe’s Farm Market and Country Bakery, Aylmer and St. Thomas
- DeBackere Farm Market, Union
- Conquer Farms, Aylmer
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
Take A Bite had such success as a food truck that it’s opened an entire restaurant. Head to New Glasgow to pick up delicious Mediterranean, slow-cooked barbecue, and round-the-campfire favourites like burgers and their signature “Boozy Milkshakes” for the adults.
Oxford County Area
Setting up camp at Wildwood Conservation Area, Pittock Conservation Area, Happy Hills Resort, Braemar Valley Park, or Parkhaven Lake?
Photo above of Wildwood Conservation Area.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Bre’s Fresh Market, Tilsonburg
- McCully’s Hill Farm, St. Marys
- Turner’s Farm Market, Ingersoll
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
Quehl’s Family Restaurant, in Tavistock, has been catering for over six decades and offers homemade carry-home meals that are perfect for feeding a hungry crowd of campers. Choose from trays of ribs, country-fried chicken and cabbage rolls, as well as tasty sides and salads.
Norfolk County Area
Setting up camp at Long Point Provincial Park, Turkey Point Provincial Park, Woodland RV Park, Norfolk Conservation Area, Deer Creek Conservation Area, Hidden Valley Park, Backus Conservation Area, or Willow Lake RV Park?
Photo above of Willow Lake RV Park.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Cider Keg Farm Market, Vittoria
- Matz Fruit Barn, Port Dover
- Sam’s Place Farm Market, Scotland
- Dalton White Farms, Delhi
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
Ivory Fern Foods in Port Dover has delicious power bowls, tasty tacos, and delicious smoothies.
Perfect Pairing Suggestion: For 19+ campers, hard cider from Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery or Blueberry Hill Estates is a must-try match with Ivory Fern’s power bowls.
Photo above shows cider from Blueberry Hill Estates.
Haldimand County Area
Setting up camp at Byng Island Conservation Area, Rock Point Provincial Park, Grand Oaks RV Resort, Selkirk Provincial Park or Lighthouse RV Resort?
Photo above of Grand Oaks RV Resort.
Markets and Stands Every Campfire Chef Will Love
- Snyder’s Sweet Corn, Caledonia
- Blueberry Knoll Berry Farm, Lowbanks
- Richardson’s Farm and Market, Dunnville
Tasty Takeout When The Chef Needs A Break
The Carolinian Café and Eatery, in Cayuga, offers perfectly packed picnics featuring sandwiches and salads made with farm-grown meat and produce, local fresh greens and seasonal fruits.
When exploring Ontario’s Southwest, let’s remember to be responsible travellers! Click here for some tips.
What are your go-to stops for stocking up for campsite meals in Ontario’s Southwest? Share pictures of your cookouts and camping fun with us on social using #OSWPerfectPairings.
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