The Quebec-based Metro supermarket chain is partnering with the social change organization Equiterre for a pilot project supporting Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
From June to November three of the chain’s stores – in Granby, Joliette and Trois-Rivieres – will serve as a drop off point for produce baskets from operations that are either certified organic or in the conversion process and are members of the Family Farmers network. Equiterre is touting the move as a big one, since Metro is the first organization in the food business to sign on.
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"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" said Colleen Thorpe, spokesperson, sustainability accompanying services of Équiterre in a media release. Équiterre has been coordinating the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network since 1996. Consumers 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 what's available seasonally.
"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, in the same release. The company also noted that the move was a direct result of Metro's commitments made as part of their pledge for greater corporate social responsibility.
