Comfort bags

Helping feed West Quebec: new program underway

Tashi Farmilo

Moisson Outaouais has launched a new initiative, "Réconfort en sac," (Comfort bag) aimed at addressing food insecurity in the region by distributing 15,000 dehydrated soup meals to vulnerable individuals, with a particular focus on seniors. Ready to use with just the addition of water, these soups provide a warm and comforting meal for those in need. The project was made possible through a $30,000 donation from Club Piscine Gatineau, which has been a longstanding partner of Moisson Outaouais for over a decade. Employees from Club Piscine actively participated in assembling the first batches of soups, marking the official launch of the initiative.

Marie-Pier Chaput, Director of Communications at Moisson Outaouais, explained the dual objectives of the project. "The first goal is to address food insecurity by providing a nutritious and complete meal to those who lack access to essential groceries. The second is to support our 50 partner organizations in the region that have been expressing a growing need for food products that require neither refrigeration nor extensive preparation."

While the soup meals will be available to all individuals accessing Moisson Outaouais' affiliated organizations, special attention was given to the needs of seniors when developing the initiative. "Seniors often face mobility challenges, especially in winter. Having a long-lasting, easy-to-prepare meal at home can be invaluable," said Chaput. She also highlighted that seniors represent 20 per cent of those requesting food assistance in the region, a figure that continues to rise. The organization developed four soup varieties—L’Épicurienne, La Jardinière, La Rustique, and La Campagnarde (The Epicurean, The Gardener, The Rustic, and The Country Girl)—each offering a distinct flavour profile. La Campagnarde, for instance, features a comforting chicken broth base.

Moisson Outaouais, the largest regional food bank in the area, serves as a hub for food collection, storage, and redistribution to its network of community organizations. These partner groups include food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations, such as youth centres and meal programs. "We don’t distribute food directly to individuals, but rather to our affiliated organizations, who then serve those in need," Chaput explained.

The organization operates with minimal government funding, with only 15 per cent of its revenues coming from public subsidies. "The majority of our funding comes from community donations and corporate sponsorships, like this one from Club Piscine Gatineau," said Chaput. To sustain its operations, Moisson Outaouais relies on fundraising campaigns, including its well-known Loto-Moisson, where supporters can purchase tickets to win prizes while contributing to food security in the region.

Beyond "Réconfort en sac," Moisson Outaouais has other initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity. The organization runs a school meal program in partnership with La Cantine pour tous, providing hot meals to elementary school students. During the 2023-2024 school year, the initiative served 14,290 meals to 1,250 students across four schools. "Being a school meal provider is a challenge, but thanks to La Cantine pour tous, we receive crucial support, such as feedback from parents and logistical assistance, allowing us to focus on preparing nutritious meals," said David Grégoire, Director of Operations and Special Projects at Moisson Outaouais. The program operates on a sliding scale, with parents paying between one and six dollars per meal, depending on their financial situation, ensuring that children have access to healthy food regardless of their household income.

Another major initiative is the Supermarket Recovery Program, which combats food waste while providing nutritious food to those in need. By recovering unsold but still consumable perishable goods from 28 grocery stores in the region, the program redistributes over 36,000 kilograms of food every month. "Meat, in particular, is a precious commodity for food assistance programs because it is expensive and highly nutritious," Chaput noted. Since launching the program, Moisson Outaouais has helped partner organizations reduce their food budgets, allowing them to allocate resources to long-term food security initiatives.

The need for food assistance in Outaouais has increased dramatically in recent years. In March 2024 alone, Moisson Outaouais responded to 91,042 food assistance requests—an increase of nearly 30,000 compared to 2021. Over 4,300 households received food hampers, marking a 37.7 per cent increase from 2022. Children make up 35 per cent of those requiring food assistance, and 42 per cent of beneficiaries are families with children, including single-parent and two-parent households.

With food insecurity rising, initiatives like "Réconfort en sac" are crucial in providing immediate relief while highlighting the broader challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Outaouais. As Chaput emphasized, "Every meal we distribute is not just food, it’s a gesture of solidarity and support for those who need it most."