About About Montreal's Public Markets market
The Corporation
Public Markets of Montréal (MPM), is a corporation of 250 members, vendors and merchants from the city’s 15 markets.Founded in 1993, the mission of the corporation is to give Montrealers access to local produce at public markets that correspond to their identity. The corporation’s goal is to honour the traditions of past public markets, pay tribute to Québec’s heritage and to be a place where rural and urban cultures meet. Today, each of the city’s markets has a wide selection of products from all over Québec, and is staffed by knowledgeable vendors who are eager to offer their expertise. The markets are also a place to meet, exchange and be a location for community events.
Vision
Public Markets of Montréal takes pride in its policy of transparency and enhancement of the status of Québec products. Looking to the future, Public Markets of Montréal will continue fulfilling its mission for generations to come. Finally, rooted in the city’s heritage, Public Markets of Montreal is concerned about its environmental footprint and follows a policy of sustainable development.
History
In 1980, the City of Montréal, then the manager of all the public markets, began musing about their future. It was in this context that agricultural producers and merchants got together to put forward alternative solutions to the City.
After long discussions, in which the Union des Producteurs Agricoles (UPA) participated, the idea of a non-profit corporation began to take root, in 1993. The proposal was accepted by the City. It remained the owner of the markets, but delegated the task of running of them to the brand new Montréal Public Market Management Corporation (MPMMC), in June 1993.
A small team of three enthusiastic managers took up the challenge, backed by a board of directors representing the 200 members renting space in the markets. Since then, Montréal’s public markets have steadily progressed, and to date the MPMC and its partners have invested more than $50 M in improving the original infrastructure and in new construction.