From Sidewalks to Rooftops: Top 4 Urban Agriculture Initiatives in Montréal
Looking for ways to get involved with urban agriculture projects in Montréal? You are not alone–residents across the Island of Montréal are finding new and creative ways to produce the food they eat. We have listed and reviewed four community-led initiatives seeking to involve community members in urban agriculture solutions in the downtown area.
Interested in urban greenhouses, but scared of heights? No problem! Carrefour Solidaire brings greenhouse agriculture to the street level, quite literally–their greenhouses are built into the sidewalks! Using discarded temporary car shelters, Carrefour Solidaire has built six all-season greenhouse tunnels along the roads in Sainte Marie. Each tunnel uses passive solar heating to produce vegetables in all four seasons, which are used to cook community meals. Not only do these installations help to break up long stretches of paved surfaces on the east of the island, but they also spark conversations about the spaces we use to park our cars, and how they can be used otherwise.
Looking to start a home gardening project? Cultiver Montréal celebrates the Festival Cultiver Montréal every May. This festival provides community members with garden starters and educational materials to encourage balcony gardening. Vendors are invited to sell vegetable and shrub starters, and a seed library is made available all month long for those looking to re-seed existing gardens. Everything costs less than five dollars, and vendors give demonstrations on how to properly care for the plants you purchase. For those who may not have the time to volunteer, or who are looking for ways to grow their own food, this festival is a perfect starting point for obtaining resources and information.
Whether you're an aspiring urban gardener, an environmentally conscious consumer, or a downtown Montréal greenspace connoisseur, the diversity of urban agriculture projects on the island has something for everyone. These four initiatives showcase Montréal's potential for future food sovereignty and security, more innovative agricultural solutions are needed to make this dream a reality.
Where does our food come from? Even without any knowledge of food systems, most can agree that a significant portion of our food comes from out of province. Whether it's a banana grown in Ecuador or a bottle of cooking oil from Indonesia, our grocery stores are littered with reminders that the food we eat has travelled a long way before ending up on our plates. According to the FTQ, upwards of 40% of produce in Québec grocery stores comes from outside Canada; such is the reality in a province that spends much of the year in below-freezing temperatures. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, our dependence upon outside food sources prompted many Québecers, both in urban and rural areas, to reconsider their patterns of food consumption. In Montréal, this reevaluation gave rise to a number of urban agriculture projects–each with the aim of growing produce in urban areas, while also bringing together community members during a time of global crisis.
If you share the desire to achieve food security and sovereignty–as do hundreds of other Montréal residents–these agriculture projects are the perfect place to start!
4. Lufa Farms
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| Lufa rooftop greenhouse, Ville Saint Laurent |
With four hydroponic greenhouse facilities and hundreds of dropoff locations across Québec, Lufa Farms is known for its year-round produce and compost subscriptions. In 2020, the organization launched its largest urban farming project yet–the world's largest rooftop greenhouse. Located in the heart of Ville Saint Laurent, this 50 000 square metre greenhouse produces tomatoes and eggplants for customers all over Québec. The greenhouse uses hydroponics to grow vegetables year-round and has created a closed-loop irrigation system supplied by rainwater. This hydroponics installation is a great use of otherwise unused rooftop space, and helps to feed Lufa Farms's 60 000 subscribers!
How to take part:
- Join the Lufa Farms subscription for fresh, locally-grown produce every week!
- Take on a paid position at one of four greenhouses in downtown Montréal
- Own a business in the Montréal area? Partner with Lufa Farms and help work towards their vision for a city of rooftop gardens
3. Carrefour Solidaire
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| Street greenhouse, Carrefour Solidaire |
Interested in urban greenhouses, but scared of heights? No problem! Carrefour Solidaire brings greenhouse agriculture to the street level, quite literally–their greenhouses are built into the sidewalks! Using discarded temporary car shelters, Carrefour Solidaire has built six all-season greenhouse tunnels along the roads in Sainte Marie. Each tunnel uses passive solar heating to produce vegetables in all four seasons, which are used to cook community meals. Not only do these installations help to break up long stretches of paved surfaces on the east of the island, but they also spark conversations about the spaces we use to park our cars, and how they can be used otherwise.
How to take part:
2. Ville en vert
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| Vert le Nord green corridor, Cartierville |
In response to the health concerns posed by urban heat islands in the north of Montréal, Ville en vert launched a fruit tree planting project along a selection of formerly paved corridors. These 'green corridors' have been placed strategically along children's school routes, and aim to reduce the heat island effect, as well as provide more greenspaces for northern residents. To date, fourteen projects have been realized, and many more are to come!
How to take part:
- Volunteer for tree planting projects
- Make financial donations to Vert le Nord to help fund future projects
1. Cultiver Montréal
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| Vendor at Festival Cultiver Montréal |
Looking to start a home gardening project? Cultiver Montréal celebrates the Festival Cultiver Montréal every May. This festival provides community members with garden starters and educational materials to encourage balcony gardening. Vendors are invited to sell vegetable and shrub starters, and a seed library is made available all month long for those looking to re-seed existing gardens. Everything costs less than five dollars, and vendors give demonstrations on how to properly care for the plants you purchase. For those who may not have the time to volunteer, or who are looking for ways to grow their own food, this festival is a perfect starting point for obtaining resources and information.
How to take part:
- Enjoy the festival! Pick up some vegetable starters or seed packets, and start a balcony garden of your own
- Become a member and take part in activities year-round
Whether you're an aspiring urban gardener, an environmentally conscious consumer, or a downtown Montréal greenspace connoisseur, the diversity of urban agriculture projects on the island has something for everyone. These four initiatives showcase Montréal's potential for future food sovereignty and security, more innovative agricultural solutions are needed to make this dream a reality.
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