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The Kiosques de la Relève : at the dawn of a fourth...
Spring is settling in comfortably, and with it the increasingly warm weather signalling the start of the harvest season in Quebec. Without us suspecting it,...
Spring is settling in comfortably, and with it the increasingly warm weather signalling the start of the harvest season in Quebec. Without us suspecting it, farms, established for several generations or just starting up more recently, are all busy getting their season off to a strong start. For some young companies, the early-season excitement is even more apparent. That's because, thanks to the Kiosques de la Relève initiative, they'll be selling at one of Montreal's public markets for the first, second or third time!
Find out more about this initiative's origine and how it has been supporting new farmers for the past four years.
An initiative that continues to prove its worth
Launched in 2021, the Kiosques de la Relève initiative is a response to the challenges faced by young farmers. One of these is commercializing their products. Indeed, with their limited resources and means, access to Montreal's public markets for the entire season is often not possible.
The solution? Ready-to-use kiosks, available to rent by the day in the market of their choice!
Initially limited to the Jean-Talon Market, the initiative has been extended to Atwater and Maisonneuve Markets in 2022. More than thirty agri-businesses have seized this opportunity to experiment with direct merchandising.
Félix and Rozenn from Jardins de la Belle verte are among them. They took advantage of the initiative last year and are excited at the prospect of participating once again. For them, market days are a real celebration.
"For us, the Kiosques de la Relève represent a major lever in the development of our vegetable farm. It's an essential complement to our main sales strategy, which is to distribute baskets of vegetables on the South Shore. It also gives us the visibility we need so that one day, we hope, we'll evolve into a market presence several days a week!" - Félix and Rozenn from Jardins de la Belle Verte
Valued customer contact
One of the advantages of the Kiosques de la Relève is undoubtedly their positioning in the heart of bustling public markets whether at the Jean-Talon Market, Atwater or Maisonneuve. This summer (2024), 18 businesses, including 6 new ones, will be taking advantage of this opportunity.
Among them, Julie Forest of Champignonnière Réseau Souterrain, will debut at the Kiosques de la Relève in May. She hopes to take advantage of the high traffic at the Montreal Public Markets to promote her mushrooms, and above all, meet a wider clientele!
"As agricultural producers, farmers' markets represent for us a direct link with our customers, a rare opportunity to get away from our daily farm life to be recognized and supported in our mission to feed the world! As we approach the summer season and the opening of public markets, we're anticipating a very eventful season!" - Julie Forest from Réseau Souterrain
Julia Janson of Jardins de la renarde is also looking forward to returning for a third year with her flower bouquets. In fact, she's already harvesting her first tulips.
"I'm delighted to be taking part in the Kiosques de la Relève for a third consecutive season," she says. "It allows me to build customer loyalty by offering reliable products, while continuing to represent Quebec's next generation of farmers and florists. I especially appreciate it when people confide in me and tell me that they intend to offer the bouquet to loved ones." - Julia Janson from Jardins de la Renarde
Committed to sustainable production
Many of these companies opt for small-scale farming, with a strong ecological conscience. On their small piece of land, they cultivate much more than just their products, they pass on their passion and commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Such is the case of Julia from Jardins de la Renarde, who is delighted to see the enthusiasm for local, ecological flowers. "It's important for me to offer a product that I'm proud of and which is part of a sustainable and environmental vision, but also that customers feel they're part of the change too!" she confides.
This philosophy is echoed by Karla and Pier-Luc from Hova Ranch farm. Present for another year, they are motivated by the opportunity to offer products from their Highland cow farm.
"Offering and showcasing our products from a true and honest environment is our greatest motivation. We are proud and very grateful to have a kiosk at the markets as well as to be able to bring agriculture to the city! Being present at the Kiosques de la Relève is a wonderful opportunity to grow our young business, it allows us to see its potential." - Karla and Pier-Luc from Hova Ranch farm
From May to October, the Kiosques de la Relève will host a wide range of businesses offering a variety of products. Fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, field flowers, farm-raised meat, eggs, wine, mushrooms and much more will be on offer. A fine demonstration of the vitality of the next generation of farmers, ready to feed us sustainably!
🌸 Flower from Les Jardins Belaflore 🌷 Flower from Jardins de la Renarde 🍄 Mushrooms from Mycovore 🍄 Mushrooms from Le Champignologue 🍄 Mushrooms from Réseau Souterrain 🐂 Farm-raised meat from Hova Ranch 🐏Farm-raised meat from La Ferme Pêchés Moutons 🥒Vegetables from Alliance naturelle 🥕Vegetables from Jardins Ré-Gaia 🍆Vegetables from La Petite ferme locale 🥦 Vegetables from Jardins Florelia 🌶️Vegetables from Jardins de la Belle Verte 🫑Vegetables from Jardins de la Fourchette 🍅Vegetables from Les Ressources de la Vallée 🌱 Mirco-greens from Au septième Micro-pousse 🍷Cider from La Capsule Temporelle🍷 Wine from Vignoble Brigham 🪻 Medicinal plants from Fermette des Herbes Chouettes
Come discover and support Kiosques de la Relève throughout the summer season. To find out all about these companies and their schedule in the various markets, click on the button below.
Discover all the companies
For companies interested in merchandising in one of Montreal's public markets, recruitment is ongoing.
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