LIVE EGGPLANT AND PEPPER HARVEST FOR MONTREAL AND QUEBEC ORDERS

Editor
May 7
4 min read

Transforming a childhood passion into an agricultural project recognized for its social, economic, and intercultural impact. That is the achievement of the founder of the Voluntary Group for Sustainable Rural Development North-South (GVDRD North-South), who has spent more than a decade cultivating tropical vegetables adapted to Quebec's climate while fostering stronger connections between communities.

Each season, hundreds of customers travel long distances to purchase African eggplants, amaranth, sorrel leaves, sweet potato leaves (Matembé), peppers, and other exotic vegetables. Some come from Quebec City and Montreal, while others travel from Toronto, New Brunswick, and even the United States.

"We have strong demand. People come here to stock up on tropical exotic vegetables because there are not many producers operating on this scale in Quebec or Canada," the project leader explains.

A Calling Born in Childhood

Originally from Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the founder's connection to agriculture dates back to his earliest years. He recalls discovering farming alongside his mother, who raised the family alone after the death of his father.

"It was really my mother who helped me understand what agriculture is. After school, we would go help her in the fields. She raised us through her hard work."

That experience profoundly shaped his future. After studying rural development in the Congo, he worked alongside farmers before immigrating to Quebec in 2003.

Wanting to better understand the realities of Quebec's rural regions, he pursued a master's degree in regional development, focusing on territorial governance and collaboration between public institutions, private stakeholders, and community organizations.

"I wanted to see whether what I had studied could actually be put into practice."

An Experiment That Became a Reference

The initiative began in 2013 thanks to a partnership with farmer Pierre Ricard, who agreed to lease him a piece of land to test the cultivation of tropical vegetables in a temperate climate.

The project started modestly with about fifty eggplant plants and a few varieties of amaranth.

Twelve years later, several hectares are now dedicated to producing dozens of vegetable varieties sought after by an ever-growing customer base.

"The goal was to find out whether vegetables that normally grow in tropical environments could adapt to Quebec's climate. Today, the answer is clearly yes."

Much More Than a Farm

For its founder, the project extends far beyond agricultural production.

He views it as a genuine tool for regional development and social cohesion.

"People come here, they meet, they talk. Some even arrange to meet on the site. It has become a place for social interaction and intercultural exchange."

The project also helps facilitate the integration of newcomers.

According to him, food plays a vital role in the settlement process.

"Food is cultural. Many families come here with their children to show them where the food they eat comes from."

Each year, tasting events are organized to introduce these vegetables to the general public. Visitors also learn about their nutritional and medicinal properties.

"Our vegetables are not only food; many also have antioxidant and medicinal properties."

Community-Supported Agriculture

The project relies heavily on volunteers who participate in harvesting, preparing orders, and processing the vegetables.

At the end of each season, volunteer groups also take part in gleaning activities to prevent crops from going to waste.

"This project is not only for immigrants. It has become a shared community asset that benefits everyone."

This collective effort not only helps meet demand but also strengthens relationships among people from different backgrounds.

Growing Recognition

For nearly ten years, the project operated solely through member contributions and volunteer work.

In 2023, its first financial support from the MRC made it possible to purchase preservation equipment, including cold storage facilities and vacuum-sealing machines.

This new phase significantly reduced crop losses and now allows consumers to purchase locally grown vegetables throughout the winter.

"Before, we lost many vegetables at the end of the season. Today, we can preserve them and continue supplying our customers for several months."

Vegetables That Have Become Quebec Products

Over the years, the founder believes these crops have fully earned their place within Quebec's agricultural landscape.

"We used to call them tropical vegetables. Today, I believe they have become Quebec vegetables because they are now part of Quebec's food system."

In his view, this evolution demonstrates the province's ability to embrace new agricultural production while meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

A Model for Regional Development

Today, the collective agricultural project pursues several goals simultaneously: producing locally grown food, creating seasonal jobs, encouraging volunteerism, and fostering intercultural dialogue.

It now benefits from partnerships with private organizations, public institutions, specialized nurseries, and numerous media outlets that help raise awareness of the initiative.

"The media help us make our voice heard. Many customers tell us they discovered us after watching a report or an interview."

A Vision for the Future

The project's leader now hopes to ensure its long-term sustainability by hiring more workers and continuing its development.

For him, community-based agriculture represents a model for the future.

"People will always need to eat. Our project directly contributes to food security and the health of our communities."

He concludes by encouraging the public to support this community-centered approach to agriculture.

"By purchasing a kilogram of eggplants, amaranth, or sweet potato leaves, people directly contribute to the project's growth. We need their support to keep moving forward."

While expressing his gratitude to the volunteers who have stood by the project since its inception, he ends with a conviction that continues to guide his commitment today: