Soutenez

Epicerie solidaire: Relais Laurentien reopens in new location

Photo: (TC Media - Sara King-Abadi )

An ally in the fight for food security, the Relais Laurentien reopened after financial problems forced it to relocate, resulting in a nine month closure. New premises were inaugurated on Decarie Blvd. Friday evening.

The solidarity grocery store has existed to make quality products affordable for four years through a membership program, though anyone in Montreal—regardless of income level or residency—can shop there.

For many, the closure was difficult on their families the last nine months.

“It was hard. We kept saying ‘Call the mayor,’” said Denise Bisaga, a privilege member for three years. Her children call it the “petit boutique,” and kept pleading for it to reopen.

Yolande Kawada has been grocery shoping at the Relais for two years. For her, it offers more accessibility to better food items. “It’s much more affordable,” she said. “The prices are lower than at the supermarket, especially for fresh food.”

Bisaga also finds cost an issue. “It’s not that it’s hard to find fresh food elsewhere, but the prices are too high.”

Both Kawada and Bisaga still shop at other grocery stores for things they can’t find at the Relais, for example some frozen foods.

Free cooking workshops offered by the Relais also come in handy for Bisaga.

“If there’s a product you don’t know how to use, they’re going to teach you, and give you recipes,” she explained.

Memberships are available at $5 per year for “Privilege” members, who qualify based on income and are offered larger discounts and some free items. “Solidarity” members pay $20. It is available for people of any income who wish to support the organization and take advantage of the savings.

Security in St-Laurent

“Let’s not pretend. St-Laurent might be viewed as a community that is well off and successful, and we are in many ways, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have needs or poverty, or people thinking of where their next meal is coming from,” said Mayor Alan DeSousa.

Initiatives like the Relais Laurentien exist for community support, beyond just being an affordable grocery store, explained director Sheyla Mosquera.

“The principle is not just to give, it’s to help you and sustain you,” she said. “When you’re eating well, it means you can work and look for work. It changes your life.”

In the future, Mosquera would like to see the Relais as a real driving force against unemployment in the area through job creation. “Not just jobs, but good jobs, that are well-paid,” she stressed. There are currently four employees at the Relais Laurentien.

They will also make fresh food more available in St-Laurent this winter through the advent of a mobile grocery truck.

The Relais Laurentien is located at 760 Decarie Blvd. For more information visit relaislaurentien.org

 

Articles récents du même sujet

Mon
Métro

Découvrez nos infolettres !

Le meilleur moyen de rester brancher sur les nouvelles de Montréal et votre quartier.