the Project
Objectives
Cultures Urbaines is a community-based fruit and vegetable distribution project with two complementary objectives. Firstly, the initiative aims to improve access to fresh produce in poorly served by markets and grocery stores areas of Saint-Laurent.
Secondly, we aim to reduce food waste. In order to do this, Cultures Urbaines recuperates urban agriculture's food that would have been lost otherwise.
distributing Fruits and vegetables in Saint-Laurent
Some areas of Saint-Laurent are considered as food desert since they lack any king of access to fresh produce due to being underserved by grocery stores, markets and other types of food stores. Part of Cultures Urbaines mission is to adress the issue of food desert areas. In order to support the sector's residents desire to eat healthily, Cultures Urbaines operates fruit and vegetables markets at Hogde and Place Benoit corner.
concept
Cultures Urbaines offers different sales formats to meet a maximum of the citizen's need. Find the one that best fits your needs below!
Bicycle distribution
In order to promote active transportation, all fruits and vegetables transitioning between their production sites, supplies and sales outlets will be done by bike.
Citizen-based structure
Why create a citizen-based structure ?
Being part of our daily life, food can unify a community. Furthermore, actively participating in a local food system can broaden your vision concerning food and nutrition. It could enable a better understanding of your food choices and empowerment.
For these reasons, VertCité wants Cultures Urbaines to be developed by and for the community. Why we are then proposing a structural organisation based on the active participation of its members to further develop the project. The more people get involved, the more we will see effective change within these food desert sectors.
Why becoming a member?
Profit from a 10 % reduction on all your purchases
Participate in a collective project with your fellow citizens and contribute to the life of your community !
Participate in the strategic plannig of a project for your community!
why engage yourself ?
To benefit from a 10 % reduction on all your purchases, Cultures Urbaines members have to give 5 hours of their time every month. Every member is then contributing to the success of the project and allows the continued delivery of competitive
prices and high quality produce. The implication can be done at different levels, depending on the personnal interests of each one.
Production
Delivery
Transformation
Selling
Produits & fournisseurs
Products & Providers
our products
Both our economic baskets and bulk products are all composed of fresh and first quality fruits and vegetables. We are offering a wide variety of fresh seasonal products as well as fruits and vegetables for your daily meals. Finally, as we are conscious of the environmental and social issues, we also offer local and organic products.
our providers
Our products come from different providers:
- The cooperative Les Serres du Dos Blancs : thanks to four greenhouses located behind the cégep Saint-Laurent, Les Serres du Dos Blancs have the organic certification and produces organic tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, garlic and beans.
- Botsis Fruits et Légumes : This food wholesaler specialized in fruits and vegetables is situated in the Hodge-Place Benoît sector. They do their best to offer Québec provider's product.
- Community gardens : The citizen's harvest may be more productive then the owner can eat. The excess vegetables can be recuperated, and distributed to the community.
who are we?
our team
Nicholas Chevalier
Chargé de projet
Gabrielle Lorimier-dugas
Agente de sécurité alimentaire
Jade Bouchard-Nguyen
Agente de sécurité alimentaire
partners
The Cultures Urbaines initiative is the result of collaborations between several laurentian organizations and aspires to be supported by and for the community.
Cultures Urbaines is currently being developed by the non-profit organization VertCité, already actively involved in community and school gardens in the Laurentian territory. Supported by its partners, VertCité ensures the implementation and management of the project. Following the launch of the project in spring 2019, all the actors involved will work to promote citizen engagement. Come visit our website in spring 2019 to learn how to get involved.
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