A first in the Quebec food sector - Metro partners with Équiterre in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project

MONTREAL, June 12, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Metro and Équiterre are pleased to be associated with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, for the carrying out of a pilot project that will take place during the summer of 2012. From June to November, three Metro stores, namely the ones in Granby, Joliette and Trois-Rivières (on boulevard des Forges) will serve as drop-off points for baskets of fresh vegetables that are certified organic or in the process of becoming so, prepared by agricultural producers who are members of the Family Farmers network. Metro thus becomes the first food banner to sign up as a drop-off point for this project, which enables citizens to become partners of a local farm by pre-ordering vegetable baskets produced while respecting the environment.

"We are delighted that Metro has been so receptive to this initiative. We know that the majority of purchases are made in supermarkets, so our partnership with Metro will allow us to reach that clientele in order to offer them fresh, organic and local products" explains Colleen Thorpe, Spokesperson, Sustainability Accompanying Services of Équiterre.

Équiterre has been coordinating the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network since 1996. Citizens who are interested must register with the producers in order to receive their basket each week of the season. They can pick them up in the parking lot of the participating Metro stores. The content of the baskets depends on how far the season has progressed. Citizens can register now and registration will continue as long as space remains.

"The Community Supported Agriculture project provides us with an opportunity to broaden our efforts aimed at supporting Quebec suppliers by directly linking the consumer with the farmer in their region" said Bernadette Hamel, Vice-President, National Procurement - Produce, Metro Inc.

"We are proud to cooperate with Équiterre, an organization known for supporting ecological agriculture in Quebec, in carrying out this one of a kind pilot project that is a direct result of the commitments made as part of our Corporate Responsibility process: to benefit the communities in which we operate and that we supply. Our heart is set on making this project successful" said Marie-Claude Bacon, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Department, Metro Inc.

To find out more about Metro's initiatives aimed at featuring Quebec products: www.metro.ca/produits-quebec.en.html

To find out more about the Équiterre Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project and to find the Metro drop-off points in your area: www.equiterre.org/en/solution/family-farmers

Metro stores and producers taking part in the pilot project

Family Farmer 2012

Metro Inc.
With annual sales of over $11 billion and over 65,000 employees, Metro Inc. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Québec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

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About Équiterre
Équiterre's mission is to help build a social movement by encouraging individuals, organizations and governments to make ecological and equitable choices in a spirit of solidarity. Équiterre sees the everyday choices we all make - food, transportation, housing, gardening and shopping - as an opportunity to change the world, one step at a time.

Source:
Metro Inc. and Équiterre

Media Relations for Metro: 
Pierre Tessier, Communications Infrarouge, [email protected] 514 233-1636

Équiterre Contact:
Loïc Dehoux, 514 605-2000