Outbreak. COVID-19. Confinement. Deconfinement. Face-to-face. Red zone. Since March, new expressions have become part of our daily life. This is also the case with the term "buy local", which was used occasionally in the past but quickly became fashionable as early as March. Because it is obviously urgent to turn to local commerce! And some companies have understood this better than others and are walking the talk.
This is the case with the Benny & Co chain, which has the ultimate objective, in the very short term, to eliminate almost all of its purchases made in the United States. A first step was taken this week when the rotisseries will now be supplied with lettuce from the Quebec company Hydroserre.
Benny & Co has no less than 63 franchises and purchases nearly half a million leaf lettuce each year. Obviously, buying from a supplier only a few kilometers from the head office by car is more advantageous than ordering in California or Arizona.
In terms of quality, of course, but also because of the exchange rate, transport costs and losses related to the lack of freshness of orders received from the United States.
Also, the chain, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has invested in a young company in its region specializing in the production of recyclable and compostable packaging. So, in addition to sourcing locally for its food packaging, Benny & Co will say goodbye to styrofoam and welcome wood fiber from here.
The popular A&W Canada chain, on the other hand, wants to source its beef exclusively from producers across the country. Remember that A&W currently serves only grass-fed beef. The restaurant specializing in burgers has decided to take the bull by the horns and launch a supervised breeding program promising bonuses to Canadian breeders who will confirm themselves there.
Finally, did you know that there is a special price to recognize restaurateurs who stand out through their initiatives and their involvement in sourcing, using and promoting Quebec foods? Created in 2018, the “restaurateur Aliments du Québec au menu” award, the program currently has nearly 600 recognized restaurants.
The 2020 edition was won by Le Champlain restaurant at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. “Stéphane Modat and his team have succeeded in establishing an exceptional Quebec culinary identity within the emblematic Quebec establishment that is Le Château Frontenac. The Champlain menu, simply impeccable, celebrates the great richness of our region and the magnificent work of our local producers. "Said Marie Beaudry, president of the jury and general manager of Aliments du Québec.