Montreal, May 29, 2023 – The Montreal Public Markets are thrilled to announce the return of the Kiosques de la Relève! This third edition will allow young agricultural and horticultural producers to make their way into the plates of Montrealers via an initiative that facilitates access to kiosks in the city’s major markets.
From May 5 to October 22, entrepreneurs who have been in business for five years or less can rent a turnkey kiosk at Maisonneuve Market, Jean-Talon Market or Atwater Market. Since the first year, the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) has contributed to the support of the next generation by paying 50% of the rental costs.
Last year, no less than 23 companies took advantage of this opportunity to present their products to market customers. They took turns renting the five available kiosks from June to October. The success of the 2022 edition is a good omen for the sustainability of this project, which meets a real need among the next generation.
“The Kiosques de la Relève is our way to help the new generation of farmers by making it easier for them to have direct access to the customers of our major public markets. Since the launch of the project, it has been greatly enjoyed by Montrealers looking for new local produce or to support the growth of young producers,” says Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet, General Manager of the Montreal Public Markets.
"The next generation of farmers is the present and future of our agriculture and the food self-sufficiency of Quebecers. That's why it is crucial to support young individuals who choose this profession to the best of our ability. This is what we do by contributing to the 'Kiosques la relève', which serve as magnificent platforms for young farmers to present their products and build trust with consumers," states Martin Caron, General President of the Union des producteurs agricoles
“Having access to a major public market so early in our development makes all the difference. Moreover, it allows us to test our capacity and logistics without having the pressure of being present seven days a week,” says Rémi Fournier from the Au cœur du Pinacle farm, which will return to its Atwater Market kiosk for the second year.
Several companies like Rémi’s will present their products during the warm season. Some of them took part in the previous editions and are gladly repeating the experience. Recruitment is still underway to enhance the summer offer of the markets.
The resilience of young producers
In addition to issues of access to farmland, young producers are faced with increasing operating costs and a lack of manpower, often with fewer resources than needed since they are startups. Direct marketing of their products at a low cost in public markets is a wonderful opportunity offered to several of them by the Kiosques de la Relève.
“I rent the family land that I farm in Mirabel, because I can’t afford to buy it at the moment. The prices are exorbitant,” says Léandre Raymond Desjardins, a former cook who founded his vegetable farm, Les jardins de la fourchette, in 2021. An early participant of the Kiosques de la Relève at the Jean-Talon Market, he highly appreciates this initiative. It allows him to gradually develop his commercial activities, which revolve around direct sales, subscriptions to weekly vegetable baskets, and deliveries to restaurants.
To learn more about the Kiosques de la Relève, to rent a location or to discover the calendar of the season, visit the Public Markets website.
About the Société des Marchés publics de Montréal
The Société des Marchés publics de Montréal is a social economy enterprise responsible for the planning, development and operation of Montreal’s public markets. Its mission is to improve access to fresh food through a network of public markets that brings Montrealers closer to local farmers and agri-food businesses. Since 1993, it has been mandated by the Ville de Montréal to manage the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve markets, six Neighbourhood markets and three Solidarity markets. It is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors composed of five merchants and five residents of the Montreal urban agglomeration. Its membership includes nearly 200 merchants active at the public markets. The Société’s network of public markets is frequented by more than three quarters of Montrealers, with more than 3 million visits annually.
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Source: Société des Marchés publics de Montréal
Contact:
Marie Létourneau
Publicist
Marie Létourneau Communications
marie@marieletourneau.ca
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