This cooperative, located at 1401 Rue Legendre Ouest, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, offers affordable premises (90,000 sq ft indoors), support entrepreneurs (incubation, acceleration), foster innovation in the circular economy, and support the ecological transition

It is a Solidarity cooperative and agricultural motel. It supports urban agriculture, circular economy (zero waste), food accessibility (short supply chains and fair prices), and social innovation.

. Economic Impact

• Mutualization and Cost Reduction: By grouping businesses under one roof and mutualizing services and equipment (commercial kitchen, industrial composter, cold rooms, etc.), the Centrale allows new businesses (startups) to significantly reduce their setup and operating costs. This risk-buffering role is essential to their survival, with a survival rate for cooperative members of 75% (2022 data).

• Ecosystem of Synergies: More than fifty synergies take place within the cooperative. The outputs of some become the inputs for others (e.g., the TriCycle insect farm transforms its waste into fertilizer for other crops), creating a true entrepreneurial ecosystem of the circular economy.

• Growth and Employment: The indoor production area has tripled since its creation, reaching approximately 52,000 square feet in 2022, reflecting exceptional growth and the development of member businesses. It stands as a strategic hub for the agri-food sector.

• Support for New Generations: By offering competitively priced spaces, the Centrale supports the development and growth of businesses, thus contributing to the rise of the urban agricultural next generation.

 Foot Traffic and Accessibility

While precise foot traffic figures for the markets are not public, the Centrale's activities demonstrate strong community interaction:

• Local Markets and Accessibility:

  1. Marché Solidaire Sauvé (Sauvé Solidarity Market): A significant local purchasing spot, open from June to November.

     Its proximity to the Sauvé metro station makes it very accessible to residents of Ahuntsic-Cartierville and the surrounding areas.

  2. Order Pickup Center (Main Address: 1401 rue Legendre Ouest): Open year-round, it centralizes purchases, promoting short supply chains and direct relationships between producers and consumers.

  3. Mobile Markets: These seasonal sales points (Parc Saint-Simon-Apôtre, Parc Gouin) bring urban agriculture products closer to citizens in various neighborhoods.

• Innovation and Visibility: The Centrale agricole is recognized as a unique laboratory for the circular economy, attracting the attention of researchers, institutions, and partners (like AU/LAB and PME MTL), which generates a continuous flow of knowledge exchange and collaborations.

 The Centrale agricole Markets

The Centrale agricole operates several local and mobile markets:

1. Marché Solidaire Sauvé

 9800 Rue Berri, Montréal (north exit of Sauvé metro)

 Open from June to November, Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Closed Saturdays and Sundays

2. Order Pickup Center

1401 rue Legendre Ouest, office 305, Montréal (main address)

Open year-round, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orders available for pickup within 24 to 48 hours

3. Mobile Markets (Seasonal)

• Parc Saint-Simon-Apôtre (200 Rue Legendre O) – Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (resumes June 2025)

• Parc Gouin (Montréal-Nord) – also closed until June 2025

Mission and Values

• Support for Urban Agriculture: Incubation, acceleration, and knowledge transfer for entrepreneurs.

• Circular Economy: Waste reduction, valorization of local resources, implementation of a system where "the outputs of some are the inputs of others."

• Food Accessibility: Local products, short supply chains, fair prices.

• Social Innovation: Collaboration between producers, citizens, and institutions for enhanced food resilience.

 The impact of the Centrale agricole extends far beyond the local level, establishing it as a key player in the circular economy and Montreal's agri-food development