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The Blue Bonnets Oasis feeds Côte-des-Neiges
WikiResidence
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WikiResidence
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17/05/26
In the shadow of the Décarie Expressway, a green and social revolution is taking place on the grounds of Montreal's former racetrack. For the past three years, Les Bonnets Bleus (The Blue Bonnets), an urban micro-farm managed by the non-profit organization MultiCaf, has been transforming a concrete space into a community pantry.
This article explores how this transitional urban development project addresses growing food insecurity in Côte-des-Neiges, highlighted by the upcoming launch of its mobile market on June 15
From Racetrack to Vegetable Production
The contrast is striking. Where thoroughbreds once galloped, rows of organic vegetables now stretch across the landscape.
The site of the former Hippodrome (Blue Bonnets), owned by the City of Montreal, is at the heart of a massive urban redevelopment plan. While awaiting the construction of thousands of housing units, the City has allowed transitional use focused on urban agriculture.
It is here that MultiCaf, a cornerstone of food security in Côte-des-Neiges since 1985, established its micro-farm.
Initially operating solely out of its premises on Westbury Street, the organization had to adapt to an explosion in demand. The partial transfer of its production activities to this outdoor site was driven by the urgent need for fresh, local, and affordable produce for a population heavily impacted by inflation.
Key Data and Logistics
Developer/Manager: MultiCaf, in collaboration with the City of Montreal.
Location: Site of the former Hippodrome, Namur-Hippodrome sector.
Mobile Market: Starting June 15, the harvest will be distributed at Place Darlington and Place de la Savane.
Target Clientele: Low-income residents, immigrant families, and seniors in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood.
Social Impact and Attendance
The social impact of the micro-farm goes far beyond simple food distribution. It creates a bridge between an industrial/commercial sector (the big-box stores along Décarie) and a residential area in dire need of fresh food options.
Attendance: MultiCaf supports more than 3,500 members annually.
Accessibility: The mobile community market eliminates mobility barriers. By travelling directly into "food deserts" like Place Darlington, the organization ensures purchasing dignity for local citizens.
Public Health: The provision of fresh vegetables reduces health risks associated with poor nutrition in a neighborhood that has one of the highest population densities in Canada.
Financial and Budgetary Analysis
Maintaining such a structure in an urban setting requires a rigorous financial framework.
Budget Item | Estimated Details |
Operating Budget | Approximately $1.2M to $1.5M annually for MultiCaf as a whole. |
Funding | Mixed: City of Montreal, Centraide, private donations, and government grants (MAPAQ). |
Economic Impact | Reduced procurement costs through self-production and job creation via social reintegration programs. |
The indirect financial impact is also significant: every dollar invested in community-led urban agriculture generates systemic savings in health and social services. At the same time, it revitalizes vacant municipal land that would otherwise cost money to maintain without generating any social value.
The Blue Bonnets project proves that urban development is about more than just pouring concrete. By utilizing the available space of the former racetrack, MultiCaf is doing more than filling bellies; it is nurturing a neighborhood's resilience.
As the mobile market hits the road again this June 15, an entire ecosystem of solidarity springs back into action, proving that even between a highway and a shopping center, the earth can still be generous.