Quartiers Gourmands to launch quarterly magazine version
The fine food shops of Montreal, Quebec City and communities throughout the province have had their place in the sun for six years, thanks to René Soudre’s excellent annual guide called Quartiers Gourmands, published from his Outremont office and selling in bookstores for $ 15.95.
Now he’s about to launch a new version in the form of a printed quarterly that will be out Dec. 5 and available by $ 35 annual subscription as well as on his website, quartiersgourmands.com. The l atest i ssue of the paperback guide, the sixth since 2003, contains 469 listings. It’s a rich source for urban shoppers, but also includes enterprises from the Gaspé to the Eastern Townships and from the Laurentians to Charlevoix.
In French only, it’s designed to be Montreal’s version of the “edible” quarterlies about good food that are published in various North American cities, including Edible Toronto, Edible Boston, Edible Chicago etc.
Shops listed range widely: specialty groceries; pâtisseries and bakeries; butcher shops; and stores specializing in fish, fruit and vegetables, coffee and tea, and cheese. The shops do not pay to be listed, but are charged if they wish to advertise. Soudre’s policy is to write about any enterprise, advertiser or not, that celebrates what he calls “a food point of view.”
Would- be subscribers can check the website to see if his listings and commentaries, short or long, are helpful in tracking down favourite products. Visit for a look- see at the publication. Information: info@quartiersgourmands.com or 514276- 0386.
WINTER FOOD BASKETS
Growers of organic foods are at the ready to deliver an assortment of produce to your neighbourhood all winter long. The coordinator is Equiterre, the Montreal- based headquarters of the family farmers network, which is made up of 103 farms throughout Quebec that are certified organic or moving toward certification. During the winter season, 27 of those farms are ready to supply baskets of food to customers throughout Quebec at 191 drop- off points.
In the greater Montreal area, seven farmers deliver vegetables baskets to 48 drop- off points. Most supply root vegetables from storage, others offer organic meats, and a few equipped with greenhouses also offer salad greens and sprouts. Approximate price for a basket, delivered every two weeks all winter to a city drop- off point, ranges from about $ 25 to $ 50, depending on the size.
To sign up for a winter basket, visit www.paniersbio.org.
You can choose the drop- off point nearest your neighbourhood and then click on the name of the farm that delivers to that l ocation. Contact your chosen farmer to discuss foods, service, your needs and payment in advance for your basket. Meat is offered in some areas; seven farms will supply Montreal customers with meat. For information or assistance with ordering, call 877272- 6656, ext. 294.