Montreal’s public markets are pleased to announce the return of the Kiosques de la Relève, launched last year as a pilot project at Jean Talon Market. The program is aimed at supporting up-and-coming local agri-food businesses. This summer the Kiosques de la Relève will operate at the city’s three large markets: Jean Talon (starting June 2), Atwater and Maisonneuve (starting July 1) and will remain open until October 16.

Decisive support

The Kiosques de la Relève represent a unique opportunity for young farmers to rent a turnkey market stall by the day, allowing them to sell their products to shoppers in Montreal’s public markets. The initiative meets a need for Quebec’s young agri-food businesses to grow and showcase their products, while being tailored to their situation.

“Having access to a major public market so early in our existence makes a huge difference. It’s particularly interesting for us because it allows us to test our capacity and logistics without having to be there seven days a week. Because we have small, diversified farms, we don’t produce enough to sell throughout the week ” said Rémi Fournier, of the Au cœur du Pinacle farm, who will be at Atwater Market this season.

Wishing to underline the importance of supporting new entrepreneurs and help them access the public markets, the Ville de Montréal is supporting the project this year.

“Montreal supports the bio-food sector, because we consider it strategic for the city. From end to end of the chain, it represents 5% of Montreal’s GDP and 13% of jobs on the island. Our measures help us guide the development of a support ecosystem, which will facilitate the launch, growth and long-term viability of new companies. Giving our up-and-coming companies access to the public markets is also another way to get fresh, local products to Montrealers, ” said Luc Rabouin head of economic and commercial development on the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal

This initiative of Montreal’s public markets supports local producers who demonstrate creativity and ingenuity in the reinvention of agricultural processes.

“One of our priorities is to support the young entrepreneurs who are driving the locavore movement, which is more important than ever. It is reassuring to see that new agri-food businesses led by young people are gaining ground, along with a new generation taking over family farms. The public markets are a springboard for these young farmers, and we are pleased to be able to give them the help they need with our Kiosques de la Relève, ” said Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet, executive director of the Corporation de gestion des Marchés publics de Montréal.

The Union des Producteurs Agricoles (UPA), which supported the pilot project in 2021, has renewed its partnership with the public markets and will provide direct assistance to the program participants by covering 50% of their rental fees.

“We want to support young agricultural businesses by making it easier for them to access a sales kiosk in a public market of Montreal. The bridge that public markets offer by bringing consumers and producers together can make a real difference when a young agricultural business needs to build its customer base. ” says Martin Caron, President of l’Union des producteurs agricoles.

Young entrepreneurs take root in the markets

There are already 15 companies setting up shop at Jean Talon, Atwater and Maisonneuve markets this season. Among them are some that participated in the unifying pilot project at Jean Talon Market in 2021 and ready to repeat the experience, including Jardins de la belle verte, Mandy’s Microgreens, Jardins de la fourchette and Vignoble Brigham. They can be found this year at Jean-Talon or Atwater.

Companies present at Jean-Talon Market :

• Les Jardins de la fourchette: Small-scale organic market farm located in Saint-Janvier
• Mandy’s Microgreens: Organic microgreens grown in the Laurentians
• Nouveau Paysan: Naturally grown and/or organic seeds produced in Saint-Cuthbert
• Cultivores: Micro-market farm located in Saint-David
• Succurbaines: Urban nursery specializing in succulents
• Vignoble Brigham: Vineyard located in Brigham; also grows peppers
• Ferme Ammerlaan: Certified-organic farm producing vegetables, garlic, grains, meat and eggs in Saint-Valentin
• Ail de la montagne: Environmentally responsible grower of garlic and mini kiwis, based in Rigaud
• Tulsi Farm: Vegetables and mushrooms grown and harvested in the city, specifically in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Ahuntsic-Cartierville
• La Brouette maraîchère: Certified-organic plants, herbs and edible flowers grown in Les Maskoutains
• L’agricultrice Michelle Poupart : production of asparagus and garlic in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Companies present at Atwater Market :

• Au cœur du Pinacle: Biointensive micro-market farm located in Frelighsburg
• Mycovore: The chef from acclaimed Montreal restaurant Tuck Shop now has his own mushroom farm
• Jardin de la Belle Verte: Organic, diversified market farm in Lacolle
• Mandy’s Microgreens: Organic microgreens grown in the Laurentians

Companies present at Maisonneuve Market :

• Les champignons maraîchers: Mushrooms grown on a micro-farm in the Mont-Saint-Hilaire area
• Succurbaine: Urban nursery located in Montreal, specializing in succulents
• Cultivores: Micro-market farm located in Saint-David
• Ferme Ammerlaan: Certified-organic farm growing asparagus, garlic and garlic scapes

All of the info regarding the businesses who will be at the market this summer can be found on our website

There are still a few spaces available. Companies interested in participating in the Kiosques de la Relève program should write to : location@marchespublics-mtl.com

A proven project

The initiative, then supported by the MAPAQ, launched at Jean Talon Market in the spring of 2021 as a pilot project. The public markets had identified a need for access for young companies, and wanted to allow them to rent stalls by the day to help them minimize their infrastructure and marketing costs.

Between May and October, 24 companies took advantage of the program and introduced their products to inquisitive and interested customers. Several built a loyal customer base, including Les jardins de la Fourhette, who had weekly visits from André, Roseline, Martine, Hiromi and many other customers. More than 300,000 people were reached through the promotional campaign for Les Kiosques de la Relève.