Local farms turning Halloween pumpkins into animal treats

Instead of tossing away pumpkins or seeing them rot, local farmers are encouraging people to donate them.

Several area farmers are collecting the edible decorations and reusing them to feed animals.

"They love them as much as we do," said Fred de Martines, co-owner of Perth Pork Products between Stratford and Sebringville.

He set up a trailer on the property for pumpkin drop off and has already received hundreds of pumpkins.

"As farmers, we're always looking to waste less and use everything. It's natural for a farmer to say, 'Hey, if we could feed it then why don't you bring it to us' it's going for a food cause. It's going for feed instead of going to waste," said de Martines. "That's really a farmer's natural instinct."

The farm previously collected pumpkins from the Stratford Pumpkin Parade, but with that being cancelled this year, de Martines said he's relying on the community.

Pumpkins should be unbleached and empty of objects such as candles or other accessories. They can be carved or not.

Steckle Heritage Farm in Kitchener just wrapped its pumpkin drive and an online post suggests it received way more pumpkins than expected.