For immediate release

Our producers’ expertise showcased with a tasting circuit

Montreal, March 8, 2023 – The Société des Marchés publics de Montréal is launching maple season with a series of sampling and discovery circuits highlighting classic and reinvented maple flavours. Free family events will take place at Jean-Talon Market on Saturday, March 18; Maisonneuve Market on Saturday, March 25; and Atwater Market on Sunday, March 26. On those days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., everyone maple products lovers will find festive indoor and outdoor settings where they can sample creations by local maple producers and artisans.

“We are proud to highlight our maple producers and their products, in which we are the world leader. Not only will these events provide opportunities to sample maple products, they are also the perfect time to meet several producers and processors at your favourite Montreal market,” said Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet, executive director of the Société des Marchés publics de Montréal.

Les Sucres at Jean-Talon Market

Jean-Talon Market kicks things off with a tasting circuit, “Les Sucres au Marché Jean-Talon,” on Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The circuit invites visitors to discover favourite products from their preferred vendors and exhibitors, both inside and outside the market building, in a festive sugaring-off atmosphere! 

In addition to classics like taffy on snow and pea soup, participants will be able to make new discoveries like grilled sausages on sticks, alcoholic beverages, maple reductions and a bar. The south side of the market will feature a special temporary setup with a comfortable heated outdoor terrasse, complete with entertainment from choirs, storytellers and DJs. 

Participating companies:

• Taffy on snow from Cabane à sucre Chez Christian;
• Taffy on snow and sugar-shack menu from Érablière Mont-Rouge;
• Sugar pies, maple fudge, cookies and other desserts from La Fournée des sucreries à l’Érable;
• Sugar-shack menu from Les Délices MG;
• Maple donuts from Brûlerie Aux Quatre-Vents;
• Maple-snow sorbet from Havre aux glaces;
• Maple almonds from Noix du marché;
• Maple butter pralines from Érablière Lussier;
• White and amber Acerum from Distillerie Fove;
• Réduit de Léo maple gin from Distillerie Les Subversifs;
• Tasting of maple-based alcoholic beverages presented by the SAQ.

Activities:

• Maple-season stories presented by Caroline Beausoleil from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to noon;
• A capella songs, stories and legends by Les Caroles des sucres from noon to 12:30 p.m., 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m.;
• DJ Beauch from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Detailed program here

Les Sucres at Maisonneuve Market

At Maisonneuve Market, the event will take place on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market will be filled with traditional sugar-shack music and inflatable games for children. It’s the perfect festive setting for visiting your favourite merchants. Visitors will be able to sample delicious taffy on snow and maple-based products from several Maisonneuve Market vendors. 

Participating companies:

• Taffy on snow from Marois & Frères;
• Sugar pies from Première Moisson.

Detailed program here.

Les Sucres at Atwater Market 

Tastings of classic and new products event “Les Sucres at Awater Market” will take place on Sunday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Everyone who has a sweet tooth is invited to the outdoor area near the summer restaurants aera, where they will find maple taffy, cones with maple taffy or maple butter, grilled sausages, a sugar-shack menu, maple-flavoured alcoholic beverages, maple reductions and a bar. The outdoor terrasse will feature activities and amenities for the whole family, including maple-season stories and songs, heaters, background music and the music of DJ Kelly.

Participating companies:

• Taffy on snow from Marois & Frères;
• Taffy on snow from Érablière Jodoin;
• Cones with maple butter or taffy from Ferme Fernand Théoret;
• Grilled organic meats from Les Viandes Saint-Vincent;
• Réduit de Léo maple gin from Distillerie Les Subversifs;
• Maple-season theme menu from Les Délices MG;
• Microbrewery beers from Fromagerie Atwater.

Activities:

• Maple-season stories presented by Caroline Beausoleil from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 to noon.;
• A capella songs, stories and legends by Les Caroles des sucres from noon to 12:30 p.m., 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m.;
• DJ Kelly from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Detailed program here.

Complete maple season program

This event is made possible by the financial support of the City of Montreal.

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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For interview and information requests, please contact:   

Responsable des communications  

Société des Marchés publics de Montréal  

514-829-5323   

mmbrochu@marchespublics-mtl.com