EatingOrganic.CA eating healthy, ethical & eco-friendly
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You might have noticed that most of the grocery stores and supermarkets that sell food also carry some non-perishable organic food. But most do not sell fresh vegetables. Some grocery stores have recently added special sections devoted to organic vegetables, but the choice is very limited.
Then, where to you buy organic food in Montreal?
Organic Grocery Stores
There are some groceries stores that specialize in organic food in Montréal, one of which is Marché Tau. In the greater Montréal area, it operates fives stores which you can locate on their website at http://www.marchestau.com/. I have been to two of their stores, which tend to be quite small in floor area and not very easy to navigate. But I have friends who make their regular grocery tours at Marché Tau stores and are pretty happy with what they get there.
There is also a self-proclaimed “Montréal’s only all organic grocery store” , EcollegeY, based in N.D.G., Montréal. You can even order your organic groceries online through their website plus over the phone and have it delivered free to your doorstep! (Certain conditions apply, but when don’t they? ) Here’s their website http://www.ecollegey.com. Their phone number is 514-486-2247, if you want to give it a try. The ordering experience might not be exactly like when you order your lunch pizza.
Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets would also be a good place to go to for your organic basket. The better-known ones are the Public Markets, which you can find more information @ http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/. I will be visiting some of the markets and will surely come back with more information.
CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture
There is an alternative to your daily/weekly grocery shopping trips. That is in the form of Community Supported Agriculture. More and more people are getting their fresh organic vegetables through this community program. Organic consumers and producers share the risks and enjoy the benefits in the harvest together. The consumers pay in advance for a share of the farmer’s harvest, and the farmer delivers a wide variety of fresh produce on a regular basis (usually weekly or biweekly) to a drop-off spot.
In Québec, the CSA project is generally referred to as panier bio or organic basket.
You can find participating farms through Equiterre, and then place your order with the farm. According to the information on Equiterre’s website, the Equiterre network of family farmers include more than 100 small, sustainable farms. Find out more information here.
Food Cooperative
You can also join a food coop, if you can find one, that is. Here are a few (more will be added as I locate more):
http://www.greenpeople.org/ Here is an excerpt from the organization’s website:
GreenPeople.org is the world’s largest online directory of green, eco-friendly, and holistic goods and services and non-profit organizations, serving consumers since 1998.
Our mission is to help consumers and green businesses connect. Our goal is to guide people through a crowded marketplace to find green, eco-friendly and healthy products and services. We help consumers, investors and businesses to harness their economic power to promote environmental sustainability.
GreenPeople Directory businesses are reviewed against stringent stringent eco-criteria, examining ingredients, supply sources, organic or other certifications, and the effect the product or service has on the environment. We weed out toxic, or ‘greenwashed’ products or services, resulting in a trusted directory of 20,000 members and growing.
http://www.cooplamaisonverte.com/
Special Mention: Paraland Organic Farm
According to the information provided by the owner, the Paraland Organic Farm covers an area of 150 acres of land, which has not been treated with any chemical fertilizer or pesticide for over 30 years. The owner started to farm the land this year and is currently working with an accredited certifying body to obtain organic certification.
The farm is offering its customers three seasons of fresh, healthy and locally produced vegetables at a reasonable price through CSA – the risk and benefit sharing community program. While most of the farmers take a break during the winter months, the Paraland has invested in greenhouses which will enable the farm to produce fresh vegetables all year round.
Paraland Farm offers three sizes of organic baskets, ranging from $360 to $720 for 18 weeks during the summer. There are cage-free organic eggs as an add-on for 3$ a half dozen. The farm is open to the public every Sunday during the summer. For more information, you can call the farmer @ 514-999-3587 or visit the farm. It’s located at 2653 Chemin du Fief, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec J7V 0K4.
