Aux Champêtreries: the shop selling happiness and a bright future

When you walk past or even enter the Aux Champêtreries store, which has been operating at the Maisonneuve Market since 1997, nothing suggest that you are in a special gourmet space. The shelves are overflowing with local products, each more appetizing than the last, the employees are charming, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. In short, you would never guess that a social mission guides everything that happens here. 

“The store is one of the activities run by L'Escalier, a social integration company that provides housing for around 20 young people aged 18 to 30 who are experiencing difficulties or at risk of homelessness, and trains around 50 of them each year in warehousing office administration, delivery, and customer service,” explains Marianne Forgues, the company's CEO

These young people, who receive technical and psychosocial support, work at Aux Champêtreries and give their all to escape poverty. At the end of their journey, they will become clerks, salespeople, or even store managers. “We are really lucky to be able to follow them through this transformation,” adds Ms. Forgues.  

Localism and solidarity 

Beyond this initial mission, the Aux Champêtreries boutique is a gourmet destination offering 100% local products to a diverse clientele. You will find long-time regulars, residents of the new condos in the surrounding area, and tourists. Not to mention the 1,200 or so customers-delicatessens, fruit shops, bakeries, tourist shops, hotels, supermarkets, businesses, etc.— that L'Escalier serves as a distributor throughout Quebec, while participating in conferences and makin sales through its online store. 

How does the organization manage to stand out so much? By offering more than 400 fine local Quebec products from 42 small producers and processors, in addition to two house brands: Champêtreries and Versant Rouge. A true solidarity-based and circular network.  

“For Champêtreries, we work in partnership with Les Jardins de la Terre, another social integration company specializing in market gardening,” says Ms. Forgues. We distribute their fresh fruits and vegetables, and we develop and produce 17 products with them, such as cilantro or basil pesto, spreads, caramel, fruit ketchup, mint jelly, and onion confit."  

The Versant Rouge range, acquired by L’Escalier in 2023, includes 11 products (jams, jellies and butters), several of which are organic and without added sugar.

Holyday Market

For its entire range of products, Aux Champêtreries is the ideal stop whenever you are looking for Quebec products. But of course, during the holydays, it becomes an Aladdin's cave where you can stock up on all sorts of items for your festive meals, hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, or presents for colleagues, friends, and family members.

Throughout December, tables set up in the shop allow for an even wider selection of products than usual. Jams, honeys, mustards, pestos, terrines, salad dressings... there's truly no shortage of choice. And as an added bonus, the young trainees wrap tons of gift packages.  

''We offer around twenty holyday gifts sets with themes such as comfort (herbal tea, sweets, etc.) après-ski (nuts, hot chocolate, etc.) or maple treats (syrup, cookies, etc.), explains the manager. But you can also select products in store and request personalized packaging.'' 

It would be a real shame to miss out on it!

A great new development for 2026 

Starting in January 2026, the Aux Champêtreries boutique will offer innovative new subscriptions. Each month, each season, or à la carte, a box available in various sizes containing products to discover will be prepared and shipped to subscribers.

What will it contain?

''Food-related articles linked to a theme, replies Ms. Forgues. It could be a region of Quebec, a colour, or a celebration.'' 

For example, a blue box might contain blueberry jam, a blue-tinted boreal tonic, and haskap berry syrup. Another, breakfast-themed box, would offer pancake mix, spreads, and maple syrup. Plenty to satisfy any sweet tooth, wouldn't you say?

''In addition, we will also put together boxes with products without added sugar, without alcohol or without gluten,'' adds the director, who believes that this new formula will appeal to all those who like the concept of montly surprise boxes, or who do not have the opportunity go to the store.  

One way or another, with or without a subscription, Aux Champêtreries proves beyond a doubt that it is possible to reconcile social enterprise and commercial success. An inspiring model to follow!