FREDERIC SERRE
The Advocate

Quebec is injecting $8.2 million into three biofood organizations in an effort to support local companies during the current climate of trade uncertainty and tariff war with the United States.

Quebec Agriculture Minister André Lamontagne made the announcement April 3, saying the provincial government wants to strengthen initiatives that promote local purchasing and the development of new markets.

The three organizations selected to receive financing include Aliments Québec ($3.2 million), Groupe Export agroalimentaire ($3 million) and M361 ($2 million).

“This support will help diversify our foreign markets and increase our food self-sufficiency,” Lamontagne said. “More than ever, we need to promote local products to Quebec consumers at points of sale and within our public institutions. We are taking concrete action to protect our businesses, our workers and the economy of all our regions.”

Aliments du Québec’s mission is to encourage consumers to buy local food, both in the retail network and in hotels, restaurants and institutions. The $3.2-million subsidy will allow the organization to promote the supply of Quebec biofood products and their presence in the various distribution networks, as well as to promote Quebec foods and promotional activities at all points of sale in the province.

Trois-Rivières-based M361 is a non-profit organization that specializes in the design and implementation of large-scale social projects and the optimization of government programs. The company says the government’s $2 million in funding will help more schools to carry out structuring projects related to healthy, local and sustainable food in Quebec’s public schools.

Groupe Export agroalimentaire brings together a large number of Quebec’s biofood exporters, and aims to promote the development of their foreign markets. Groupe Export says the government’s $3-million aid will help exporters diversify their foreign markets.

Groupe Export president Martin Lavoie praised the government’s support, saying it has come at the right time.

“Diversifying export markets has become a necessity, and we’ve seen a growing interest in recent weeks,” Lavoie said, adding that the funding will enable his organization “to support companies in their efforts to develop new markets. Export diversification often goes hand in hand with increased complexity, so it’s essential that companies are stimulated and adequately supported in their projects.”