Best Practices Mission: Building a Northwestern Ontario Food Destination
We’re excited to bring Destination Northern Ontario’s annual Culinary and Agritourism Best Practices Mission to Thunder Bay and Ontario’s Superior Country from September 22 to 24, 2026. Following several successful missions to Southern Ontario, we thought it was time we celebrate and learn from some of our very own Northern Ontario communities.
Thunder Bay is a culinary destination where local ingredients, food traditions and strong community collaboration come together to showcase the region’s unique food identity. During the Best Practices Mission, you’ll be able to see this in action as we take you on a curated journey to visit farms, markets, restaurants and innovative food businesses. You will hear directly from operators who have built successful culinary and agritourism experiences and learn practical strategies that can be adapted to your own destination. You will also gain insight from Tourism Thunder Bay and Ontario’s Superior Country on the strategies they have implemented to grow culinary and agritourism and leverage their local strengths to attract visitors.
Beyond the site visits and learning sessions, this mission is an opportunity to connect with peers from across Northern Ontario, build meaningful relationships and exchange ideas with others working to grow the sector. You will return home with fresh inspiration and strategies to grow culinary and agritourism in your community.
Trip Details
Dates: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Accommodation: We will be staying at the Thunder Bay Quality Inn. Accommodations are covered from September 22 - 24. We recommend arriving on Monday, September 21 and we have a room block available for an additional charge.
Bus: We will be travelling on a Kasper Bus Lines mini coach.
Cost: The cost is $500 per participant. This cost has been subsidized by Destination Northern Ontario and grant funding. The participant fee covers accommodations on September 22, 23 and 24, transportation, meals and planned activities.
Costs not covered on this trip include alcoholic beverage purchases, discretionary spending and any costs associated with travel to Thunder Bay.
Who Should Attend: This Best Practice Mission is designed for Northern Ontario tourism marketers, destination developers and business operators along the food tourism value chain (e.g. restaurants, growers and producers, farmers’ markets, retailers, accommodations) who want to further develop culinary and agritourism in their business and/or community.
Planned Activities
We've planned a variety of culinary and agritourism activities for you to experience. Some highlights include:
Farm, food and historical tours
- Visit the Fort William Historical Park to learn about the Fort William fur trade and meet with local Anishinaabe to learn about their eating habits, diets and food sources
- Get your hands dirty on a Foraging Walk guided by the Boreal Museum
- Go on a wagon ride and learn about Belluz Farms
- Sample cheese from Ontario’s first gouda cheese farm, Thunder Oak Cheese Farm
Food and artisan markets
- Tour the Thunder Bay Country Market and gain operation insights from the Market Manager.
- Explore Goods and Co Market, a vibrant, urban market that supports Thunder Bay farms, food producers, restaurants and experiences.
Dining experiences
- Enjoy a family style dinner at Tomlin Restaurant
- Dine at Feast On ® Certified restaurants
- Participate in a unique Superior Picnics roadtrip experience
Learning from tourism experts from the following organizations:
- Culinary Tourism Alliance
- Tourism Thunder Bay
- Ontario's Superior Country
Best Practices Mission Hosts
The Best Practices Mission is an initiative supported by Destination Northern Ontario, Tourism Excellence North, Federal Economic Development Agency of Northern Ontario and the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
The Best Practices Mission will be guided by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, a national not-for-profit organization that supports the creation of food and drink experiences that celebrate the history, heritage, and culture of destinations. The Culinary Tourism Alliance team will share their insights and expertise on the best practices to develop culinary and agritourism.
Registration
Space is limited to 12 participants. Participants will be required to fill out a short application form.
For any questions regarding this Best Practices Mission, please contact Rebecca Gordon, rgordon@culinaryalliance.com
When?
Tuesday September 22nd, 2026 - Thursday September 24th, 2026
Where?
Thunder Bay, ON
Who is this for?
- Communities & Destinations
- Operators
- Tourism business owners
- Tourism experience providers
- Tourism operation managers