http://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Corpo Media - Index

Corpo Media - Travel Booklet - Index

Laurent Lessard at Marché Jean-Talon in Montréal / © F2.8 Photo
MAKE IT YOUR PLEASURE!
PUT A TASTE OF QUÉBEC
IN YOUR PLATE
The Québec Travel Booklet team had the pleasure of meeting
Mr. Laurent Lessard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
QTB – The Department has worked for many
years to support the development of the food
industry in Québec and you seem to believe in
this more than ever.
Minister Lessard – I really want Quebecers to
make more room for our local products in their
grocery cart, because this contributes to the
economic development of our regions. It’s also
important to me that they have access to a food
supply that reflects the quality and great variety
of local foods.
QTB – Do you truly believe that buying local
products can make a real difference for our
economy?
Minister Lessard – Yes, with the genuine commitment
of all Quebecers. We must be aware
that in everyday life, “buying locally” has a
major impact on the economic health of
Québec and its regions. If each of us spent $30
more a year on food produced and prepared by
people here, instead of choosing food from
outside Québec, in five years we would inject
nearly $1 billion in our economy. It’s obvious
that buying more local products helps create
jobs all over Québec!
QTB – The promotional campaign conducted by
the Department, in collaboration with the food
industry, is an invitation to consume Québec
products in all seasons. Isn’t visiting Québec
this summer a pleasant way to discover them?
Minister Lessard – It’s enjoyable to visit
Québec at any time, but especially in summer,
the ideal season to discover local flavours. Our
regions have developed a highly diversified
slate of farm tourism products and services:
you can find cider mills, vineyards, cheese
makers, livestock farms, economuseums, festivals
and many more activities. Did you know
that about 700 Québec producers offer either
a farm visit or the chance to do your own
picking, or interpretation and participation
activities? That’s apart from all our restaurants,
where inventive chefs create original and
flavourful ways to prepare regional products
and put a taste of Québec on our plates.
QTB – Local food seems to be gaining popularity.
Do you believe this trend is bound to
increase and that this way of shopping will
become common?
Minister Lessard – Québec families are
increasingly interested in the origin of the food
they eat. Also by giving preference to products
that haven’t travelled far, they help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions caused by shipping
food long distances. So there are many benefits
for everyone in buying more food locally!
QTB – We can see that there are a thousand
and one ways to support our food industry and
that there’s something for everyone!
Minister Lessard – That’s right! I invite all
Quebecers to take advantage of the summer to
make beautiful culinary discoveries and taste
local products, especially those bearing the
Aliments du Québec logo.
LOOK FOR THEM!
QUÉBEC TRAVEL BOOKLET • SUMMER 2008 9