Canada currently relies heavily on a “grow it at scale and ship it around” food system. But to address our climate emissions and become more resilient to the already-unpreventable changes to the climate, there is a pressing need to build a local food system that brings production closer to the consumer while increasing biodiversity and caring for the land and air.

In this in-depth discussion, RECOLTE co-founder Laura Howard discusses the challenges and recent victories in building out a system for processing and distributing Montreal’s local food system.

The discussion begins with inefficient distribution systems and a lack of infrastructure that hinders local food access. Traditional models favouring large-scale distribution and profit margins, Howard explains, make it difficult to move toward ethical sourcing and seasonal availability, especially during an affordability crisis. Farmers in Canada can’t supply diverse produce year-round, which grocery chains prefer and consumers have been trained to expect.

Howard discusses several possibilities for reforming the existing grocery model—from prioritizing local sourcing to consumer education and the establishment of food cooperatives. She advocates for a dual approach: incentivizing large stores to support local producers while fostering alternative, community-driven distribution channels like CSAs and cooperatives.

Howard explores barriers to scaling up that local farmers face, such as the need for infrastructure to support local distribution and processing. She highlights the important role of institutions like hospitals and schools in making changes to accommodate local food sourcing. 

Howard also highlights the need for extensive experimentation to create effective business models that respond to local needs.