Montreal food assistance
Here is a list of resources for food aid in Montréal. It is possible to find community kitchens, food banks, soup kitchens, community and collective gardens, co-op grocery stores, citizens markets, and even emergency services. Resources listed are free or low-cost. Each service has its own criteria vis-à-vis its target audience and it is important to verify requirements and criteria in advance. In addition, because resources are often limited, most organizations only serve people living in their neighbourhood and will ask for proof of address or other information, while others may be less demanding.
Note that the list below is by no means exhaustive and is subject to change.
Despite the importance of its economic, social and cultural development, Montreal ranks second on the list of Canadian cities where food insecurity is a main concern. It is estimated that 40% of Montreal’s population is located within food deserts or areas where it is virtually impossible to access fresh food within a walking distance of 500m.1
The definition of food security used in Montreal by the Director of Public Health considers the following criteria:2
•The population has access at all times and in all dignity to sufficient food and nutrition at reasonable cost which also considers social and cultural variations;
•Individuals have adequate purchasing power;
•Individuals have access to simple and reliable information that provides skill-building which allows them to make enlightened food choices.
The criteria mentioned above are not representative of our communities and promote social stigmas related to poverty and lack of food. The marginalization of poverty is an inaccurate representation of the situation since 29% of Montreal's population are considered “low-income” earners and 36% of households live below the poverty line. Thus it becomes crucial to fight against preconceived stereotypes and myths about poverty. These prejudices will only lead to neglecting a large portion of our population as well as isolating certain communities. Food aid should not belittle its users in the process of identifying those with unmet needs; it should offer its services in the absence of any social, cultural or economic judgment and without attacking the integrity of its users. Assuming poverty as a problem that can simply be overcome by charity is an underlying problem of the socio-economic mechanisms embedded in the capitalist system.
1. Ville de Montréal, La pauvreté à Montréal, données relatives à la pauvreté, 2010-2011
2. Directeur de la santé publique. Accès aux aliments santé, enjeux documentés, décembre 2011
Note that the list below is by no means exhaustive and is subject to change.
- https://www.innovation-assistance.org/en/assistance
- Food Resource sheet (by neighbourhood)
- Directory of Food Resources for Low Income People of Greater Montreal - 2017
- Database of food resources by neighbourhood (French only)
- Collective Kitchens of Quebec (content mostly in French)
Despite the importance of its economic, social and cultural development, Montreal ranks second on the list of Canadian cities where food insecurity is a main concern. It is estimated that 40% of Montreal’s population is located within food deserts or areas where it is virtually impossible to access fresh food within a walking distance of 500m.1
The definition of food security used in Montreal by the Director of Public Health considers the following criteria:2
•The population has access at all times and in all dignity to sufficient food and nutrition at reasonable cost which also considers social and cultural variations;
•Individuals have adequate purchasing power;
•Individuals have access to simple and reliable information that provides skill-building which allows them to make enlightened food choices.
The criteria mentioned above are not representative of our communities and promote social stigmas related to poverty and lack of food. The marginalization of poverty is an inaccurate representation of the situation since 29% of Montreal's population are considered “low-income” earners and 36% of households live below the poverty line. Thus it becomes crucial to fight against preconceived stereotypes and myths about poverty. These prejudices will only lead to neglecting a large portion of our population as well as isolating certain communities. Food aid should not belittle its users in the process of identifying those with unmet needs; it should offer its services in the absence of any social, cultural or economic judgment and without attacking the integrity of its users. Assuming poverty as a problem that can simply be overcome by charity is an underlying problem of the socio-economic mechanisms embedded in the capitalist system.
1. Ville de Montréal, La pauvreté à Montréal, données relatives à la pauvreté, 2010-2011
2. Directeur de la santé publique. Accès aux aliments santé, enjeux documentés, décembre 2011
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