10 Quebec Companies to Buy Local
The global crisis linked to the COVID-19 raises the desire to rebuild a more stable and sustainable economy. Consumers are being encouraged to stimulate a more local economy. The Quebec government has even set up a web platform called "Le Panier Bleu" to make it easier for Quebec merchants to buy local.
For some of our customers, buying local was already well established in their consumption habits, while for others, the pandemic is bringing a new impetus for economic solidarity by buying local.
Here's our guide to buying local for the discerning locavore.
What is buying local?
Does buying local mean buying from our city, province or country?
The definition of the term "buy local" can vary slightly from one individual to another, depending on personal interpretation. The description most often used and most widely accepted by Quebecers involves :
- Buying products manufactured or grown in Quebec;
- Buying from independent and/or local businesses;
- Buying from Quebec-based companies rather than large multinationals.
Buying local in Quebec means consuming products designed/manufactured here, or from a company that was founded here.
What are the benefits of buying local?
The benefits of buying local can be seen in many socio-economic spheres.
Firstly, buying local is a gesture of solidarity with local producers. Redistributing money back into the community increases the income of Quebec workers, which in turn contributes to business success and growth. This contributes to the creation of new jobs and a healthier economy.
Buying locally also minimizes the impact of goods on the environment. Because they don't have to travel great distances between producer and consumer, products made in Quebec have a lower environmental impact than imported products.
As Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation, states on the Le Panier Bleu web platform: "Let's remember that every dollar invested counts and helps support our local products and expertise, further stimulating our economy."
Buy local: Our Outaouais businesses
As a local company located in the Outaouais region, La Boîte à Grains is always looking to promote quality products made in the region.
La Fée des Bois : A medicinal plant farm that cultivates and handcrafts quality plants with many virtues for the preparation of medicinal products. soaps, ointments, sunscreens, deodorants, lotions, bath bombs, herbal teas and much more. Headed by Mariane Desjardins Roy, farmer and herbalist, La Fée des Bois herb shop is founded on the values of permaculture, back-to-the-land, self-sufficiency and buying local.
Marcello : A family-run business founded in 1987, Marcello has long specialized in making a variety of artisanal pestos, and has recently added the popular pumpkin seed chocolate spread, the choco squash. Most of the ingredients in Marcello products are produced in the Outaouais region according to organic farming standards.
La Soyarie : Established in Vieux-Hull over 40 years ago, La Soyarie specializes in the production of soy-based foods, including tofu blocks, flavoured tofu cubes and patties and vegépâté.
Éric Lajoie Apiary : A beekeeper in the Petite Nation region, Éric Lajoie owns more than 240 hives producing a variety of honeys and bee pollen. The company's know-how is based on the passing on of knowledge from one generation to the next, in order to practice sustainable beekeeping that cares for the health of the bees.
Buy local: Our Quebec companies
In addition to the Outaouais region, several Quebec companies have won the hearts of our customers.
Ola Bamboo : A Victoriaville-based company that promotes local purchasing and zero waste through compostable and reusable products. Ola Bamboo specializes in eco-friendly bamboo products, including toothbrushesand dental floss, utensilscotton-tipped swabs, wooden straws and make-up remover pads.
Gogo Quinoa : Gogo Quinoa has won the hearts of Quebecers, Canadians and a worldwide clientele with healthy, delicious, organic products made from responsibly certified quinoa. The company offers a wide range of products, including whole grain quinoa, pasta products, cookies and groats with quinoa.
New Roots : New Roots Herbal manufactures more than 335 natural health products in Quebec to pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Laboratory-tested, New Roots therapeutic and nutraceutical products are trusted by thousands of natural health retailers in 16 countries. Discover their probiotics, vitamins and minerals and other health supplements.
Pure bio : Founded in 2009 in the Lower St. Lawrence, Pure's mission is to make the purchase of bulk household products simple and accessible. Pure also distributes the Osmose range line of basic ingredients for homemade household products. To help tackle the current crisis, the company has designed a lavender hand sanitizer killing 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
Patience Fruit & Co : Local company Patience Fruit & Co farms in harmony with nature. Growing and harvesting Quebec fruit in harmony with the earth, Patience Fruits & Co is well known for its dried fruits and its wild fruit juices.
Oneka : A line of body care products made in Quebec, Oneka wants more than anything to have a positive impact on human health and aquatic ecosystems. Oneka creates shampoos and conditioners that will charm the hearts of all users, as well as body lotions body lotions.
Thank you for supporting our local companies!
The team at La Boite à Grains