Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

Moisson Outaouais has launched a new initiative, “Réconfort en sac,” (Comfort bag) aimed at
addressing food insecurity in the region by distributing 15,000 dehydrated soup meals to
vulnerable individuals, with a particular focus on seniors. Ready to use with just the addition of
water, these soups provide a warm and comforting meal for those in need. The project was
made possible through a $30,000 donation from Club Piscine Gatineau, which has been a
longstanding partner of Moisson Outaouais for over a decade. Employees from Club Piscine
actively participated in assembling the first batches of soups, marking the official launch of the
initiative.

Marie-Pier Chaput, Director of Communications at Moisson Outaouais, explained the dual
objectives of the project. “The first goal is to address food insecurity by providing a nutritious
and complete meal to those who lack access to essential groceries. The second is to support
our 50 partner organizations in the region that have been expressing a growing need for food
products that require neither refrigeration nor extensive preparation.”

While the soup meals will be available to all individuals accessing Moisson Outaouais’ affiliated
organizations, special attention was given to the needs of seniors when developing the initiative.
“Seniors often face mobility challenges, especially in winter. Having a long-lasting, easy-to-
prepare meal at home can be invaluable,” said Chaput. She also highlighted that seniors
represent 20 per cent of those requesting food assistance in the region, a figure that continues
to rise. The organization developed four soup varieties—L’Épicurienne, La Jardinière, La
Rustique, and La Campagnarde (The Epicurean, The Gardener, The Rustic, and The Country
Girl)—each offering a distinct flavour profile. La Campagnarde, for instance, features a
comforting chicken broth base.

Moisson Outaouais, the largest regional food bank in the area, serves as a hub for food
collection, storage, and redistribution to its network of community organizations. These partner
groups include food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations, such as
youth centres and meal programs. “We don’t distribute food directly to individuals, but rather to
our affiliated organizations, who then serve those in need,” Chaput explained.

The organization operates with minimal government funding, with only 15 per cent of its
revenues coming from public subsidies. “The majority of our funding comes from community
donations and corporate sponsorships, like this one from Club Piscine Gatineau,” said Chaput.
To sustain its operations, Moisson Outaouais relies on fundraising campaigns, including its well-
known Loto-Moisson, where supporters can purchase tickets to win prizes while contributing to
food security in the region.

Beyond “Réconfort en sac,” Moisson Outaouais has other initiatives aimed at addressing food
insecurity. The organization runs a school meal program in partnership with La Cantine pour
tous, providing hot meals to elementary school students. During the 2023-2024 school year, the ​
initiative served 14,290 meals to 1,250 students across four schools. “Being a school meal
provider is a challenge, but thanks to La Cantine pour tous, we receive crucial support, such as
feedback from parents and logistical assistance, allowing us to focus on preparing nutritious
meals,” said David Grégoire, Director of Operations and Special Projects at Moisson Outaouais.
The program operates on a sliding scale, with parents paying between one and six dollars per
meal, depending on their financial situation, ensuring that children have access to healthy food
regardless of their household income.

Another major initiative is the Supermarket Recovery Program, which combats food waste while
providing nutritious food to those in need. By recovering unsold but still consumable perishable
goods from 28 grocery stores in the region, the program redistributes over 36,000 kilograms of
food every month. “Meat, in particular, is a precious commodity for food assistance programs
because it is expensive and highly nutritious,” Chaput noted. Since launching the program,
Moisson Outaouais has helped partner organizations reduce their food budgets, allowing them
to allocate resources to long-term food security initiatives.

The need for food assistance in Outaouais has increased dramatically in recent years. In March
2024 alone, Moisson Outaouais responded to 91,042 food assistance requests—an increase of
nearly 30,000 compared to 2021. Over 4,300 households received food hampers, marking a
37.7 per cent increase from 2022. Children make up 35 per cent of those requiring food
assistance, and 42 per cent of beneficiaries are families with children, including single-parent
and two-parent households.

With food insecurity rising, initiatives like “Réconfort en sac” are crucial in providing immediate
relief while highlighting the broader challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Outaouais. As
Chaput emphasized, “Every meal we distribute is not just food, it’s a gesture of solidarity and
support for those who need it most.”

Photo: Moisson Outaouais’ “Réconfort en sac” initiative aims to distribute 15,000 dehydrated
soup meals to vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors, providing an easy-to-prepare,
nutritious, and comforting food option with support from Club Piscine Gatineau. (TF) Photo:
courtesy of Moisson Outaouais