Here are the details concerning the event:

• Objective: The event aims to highlight urban agriculture, allow citizens to discover products grown in urban environments, and create sustainable commercial opportunities, notably through collaboration with Montreal's gastronomic chefs.

• Organization and Partnership: The initiative is launched by PME MTL Centre-Ouest and is financially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ). It is carried out in collaboration with the Urban Agriculture Lab (AU/LAB) and the Quebec Gastronomy Collective, La Table Ronde.

• Activities: The week offers several activities for the general public and the business community, including:

  • The discovery of urban farms and the opportunity to go behind the scenes.

  • Tastings of menus developed by local restaurants.

  • Neighborhood festivals.

  • A solidarity banquet.

Montreal's Urban Farms: Cultivating the City's Future

Urban farms are transforming Montreal's landscape, bringing a breath of fresh air and a new approach to agriculture in an urban setting.

Beyond local food production, these initiatives promote biodiversity, community engagement, and resilience in the face of climatic and social challenges.

Key organizations such as QuébeCouteurs, Mtl.ca, the Urban Agriculture Laboratories (AU/LAB), TrCycle, and CityPouss are major players in this movement, each contributing to making Montreal a greener and more sustainable city.

• QuébeCouteurs: This organization is dedicated to educating and promoting healthy and local food. By working with schools, businesses, and communities,

  
  

  QuébeCouteurs encourages urban farming and responsible consumption, helping to raise public awareness of sustainable food issues.

  
  

• Mtl.ca: The official website of the City of Montreal plays a central role as an information and support platform.

  
  

  It provides resources on municipal policies related to urban agriculture, subsidy programs, and citizen initiatives, illustrating the City's commitment to supporting this growing sector

  
  

• Laboratoires Agriculture Urbaine (AU/LAB): Founded by the Landscape and Environment Research Chair at the Université de Montréal, AU/LAB is a pioneer in research and innovation in urban agriculture.

  
  

  The organization develops technical and ecological solutions to optimize food production in the city, from rooftop cultivation to vertical farms, and acts as an incubator for new projects.

  
  

• TrCycle: This organization focuses on the circular economy and the valorization of organic matter. TrCycle collects organic waste from restaurants and businesses to transform it into compost, which is then used in Montreal's urban farms.

  
  

  This approach reduces waste and enriches soils, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits the environment.

  
  

• CityPouss: CityPouss offers turnkey solutions for urban agriculture. Whether for individuals, businesses, or institutions, CityPouss designs and installs urban vegetable gardens, hydroponic systems, and other cultivation infrastructures.

  
  

  Their expertise allows a wide range of stakeholders to easily engage in local food production.

Thanks to the commitment of these organizations and the collaboration between the City, citizens, and businesses, Montreal continues to develop its network of urban farms.

These initiatives are not just a way to produce food, but a way to build a more resilient, greener, and more connected city, where urban agriculture is at the heart of its sustainable development.

Urban Agriculture in Montreal: A Growing Ecosystem 

Montreal is recognized as a leading city in urban agriculture, integrating food production into the heart of its urban fabric. This practice is not just a hobby; it has a significant social, environmental, and economic impact.

Statistics and Importance

• Citizen Participation: A 2021 survey revealed that 44% of Montrealers grow edible plants, demonstrating strong public involvement. Urban agriculture is primarily practiced at residences (balconies, yards, private gardens).

• Number of Gardens: The city has over 8,500 plots distributed across 97 community gardens and 75 collective gardens, not counting numerous private initiatives.

• International Comparison: Montreal has ten times more vegetable gardens per square kilometer than similar-sized North American cities, which distinguishes it as a global hub for urban agriculture.

• Social and Environmental Impact: Beyond the numbers, urban agriculture strengthens social ties, promotes healthy eating, and improves general well-being. It also contributes to biodiversity, greening, and adaptation to climate change.

Success Stories

Lufa Farms

One of the most iconic success stories of Montreal's urban agriculture is undoubtedly Lufa Farms.

Globally recognized for building the very first commercial rooftop greenhouse, the company has developed a unique business model:

• Technology: Lufa uses hydroponic greenhouses on the roofs of urban buildings. This system allows for the production of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables without synthetic pesticides, by recycling water and heat from the buildings.

• Production and Distribution: The company owns five rooftop greenhouses and one indoor farm. Their four rooftop greenhouses alone produce 25 tons of fruits and vegetables per year. Their distribution model relies on an online market and a network of over 300 pickup points, allowing "Lufavores" to get ultra-fresh and local products within hours of harvest.

• Partnerships: In addition to their own production, Lufa collaborates with hundreds of local farmers and artisans to offer a varied catalog of over 2,000 products, contributing to the vitality of Quebec's entire food ecosystem.

Other Notable Initiatives

• La Ferme de Rue: This non-profit organization specializes in urban and peri-urban market gardening, including a garden on the roof of an IGA grocery store in Saint-Laurent. The initiative aims to promote food security and create jobs for people experiencing homelessness.

• La Ferme Fortuna: An innovative project located in the basement of a café-bar. This vertical farm produces vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms for the restaurant, demonstrating the ability to cultivate in unconventional spaces and create ultra-short supply chains.

• Kiosk at Jean-Talon Market: The Urban Agriculture Laboratory (AU/LAB) has set up a kiosk at Jean-Talon Market that brings together products from various Montreal urban farms. This project makes hyper-local products more accessible to the general public and supports collaboration between producers.