Montreal, August 3, 2020 – Today, Montreal’s public markets are launching a crowdfunding campaign aimed at supporting the merchants of Jean-Talon, Atwater, Maisonneuve and Lachine markets as well as the ten smaller community markets in the city. The campaign’s goal is to encourage Montrealers to show solidarity with local merchants and farmers, whose businesses have been put in a precarious state by this year’s unprecedented situation.

With a fundraising goal of $50,000 in one month, the campaign will run on the La Ruche website from August 3 to September 2. With each purchase of a $20 gift certificate, the Ville de Montréal will contribute $10, so that the purchaser will have $30 to spend in direct support of local merchants and producers. In addition, the Desjardins Group will provide matching financial support through its Pay it forward by Desjardins Program, which will double the campaign’s goal, up to $25,000. This funding will be shared equally between the community organizations associated with the campaign.

The gift certificates are available at laruchequebec.com/jamais-sans-mon-marche (website available in French only). The list of participating merchants can be found here. The gift certificates are well-timed to allow Montrealers to benefit from harvest season and the many fresh local products sold in our public markets.

“This campaign is a great way to show our love for our public markets,” said Nicolas Fabien Ouellet, interim executive director of the Corporation de gestion des marchés publics de Montréal. “Shopping at a public market is the most effective way to contribute to the buy-local movement.”

Supporting local business and building a sustainable economy

Through the It All Starts at the Market campaign, the public is invited to support participating local businesses and enjoy even more fresh local produce. By facilitating short-haul distribution, public markets help limit the number of entities involved in getting produce to consumers, which in turn cuts carbon emissions generated by transportation and, in many cases, helps reduce losses from damage and spoilage. Sharing anecdotes, recipes and tips strengthens our community and gives us a window on the story behind the product, so that we know exactly what we’re eating.

About Montréal’s Public Markets
Founded in 1993, the Corporation for the Management of Montréal’s Public Markets is a non-profit organization that manages and develops the major Public Markets in the Montreal area – Jean-Talon, Atwater, Maisonneuve – and some ten Neighborhood and Solidarity Markets. Its goals are to ensure that Montrealers have access to local and fresh products in the heart of their community.

About La Ruche
La Ruche is a non-profit organization with a mission to encourage new initiatives to boost regional vitality. Through its crowdfunding platform and its partners, La Ruche has made significant contributions to new initiatives in Québec. Since its founding, La Ruche has raised more than $8 millions in crowdfunding through more than 70,000 contributors in six main regions in which it operates: Québec City, Montreal, Estrie, Bas-Saint-Laurent Mauricie and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. La Ruche innovates through its human touch, alliance of more than 300 ambassadors, additional funding programs, and regionalized concept.

About the Pay it forward by Desjardins Program
In order to support the socio-economic vitality of the communities impacted by COVID-19, the Desjardins Group has implemented a funding program in the province of Québec. The Desjardins Group will support crowdfunding campaigns that enable the general public to support local businesses and local organizations with their donations. This initiative combines solidarity, the stimulation of the local economy, and community participation by facilitating fundraising campaigns for organizations and business groups affected by COVID-19. The Pay it forward, supported by Desjardins Program will end on August 31, 2020.

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Diane Leblanc, Director, Communications & Marketing
Corporation de gestion des marchés publics de Montréal
dleblanc@marchespublics-mtl.com
514 816-3107