6 Ways to Discover Local Products All Year Long6 façons de découvrir les produits d’ici toute l’année

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On June 12, J’achète un produit québécois! invites us to take a simple action: choose a local product. Beyond a one-time purchase, this day can become an opportunity to reflect on our habits and on our connection with local artisans and businesses.

 

Here are 6 simple ways to discover and incorporate Québec-made products into your daily life on June 12 — and throughout the rest of the year.

 

1. Learn How to Identify Local Products
One of the first habits to develop is taking the time to check where the products we buy come from.

At the grocery store, in boutiques, at markets, or even online, certain logos can help guide us. Labels such as Aliments du Québec, Aliments préparés au Québec, Produit du Québec, Fabriqué au Québec, or Conçu au Québec make it easier to recognize products that showcase local expertise and craftsmanship.

It’s a simple way to avoid assumptions and better understand what we’re putting in our shopping carts.

 

2. Visit Public Markets and Farm Stands
Public markets, farm stands, pick-your-own farms, and farm baskets are excellent ways to discover Québec products.

You’ll find fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, processed foods, and many other local products. It’s also a great way to better understand seasonality. We quickly realize that available products change from week to week, depending on harvests and regions. Buying local then becomes a meaningful way to reconnect with the rhythm of the seasons.

 

3. Attend Agricultural, Food, or Gourmet Events
Throughout the year, many events provide opportunities to discover local products and meet the people who create them.

These include gourmet fairs, harvest festivals, seasonal markets, tastings, and regional events that showcase the work of producers and artisans.

The Open Farm Day organized by the Union des producteurs agricoles takes place every September and offers visitors an immersive experience at participating farms across Québec.

 

4. Explore Regional Routes and Circuits
Québec is full of gourmet routes, agritourism circuits, and regional trails that allow people to discover local products in a different way.

Wine routes, Circuits du paysan, flavor trails, vineyard tours, cider houses, sugar shacks, farms, and honey houses are just a few examples of the many possibilities available.

These outings turn buying local into a discovery experience rather than just another grocery list.

 

5. Replace One Product at a Time in Your Habits
Buying Québec-made products can seem intimidating if we think we need to change everything all at once. A much simpler approach is to replace one product at a time.

You can start with something you buy regularly: jam, flour, cheese, soap, herbal tea, household products, or seasonal vegetables, for example.

The idea is simply to develop new habits gradually.

 

6. Give Québec-Made Gifts
Gifts can be a natural gateway to discovering Québec brands.

Local products offer a wide variety of options: processed foods, terroir products, books, handmade items, body care products, regional experiences, and much more.

It’s also a wonderful way to extend the impact of buying local. Someone who receives a Québec product as a gift may, in turn, discover a business they’ll want to support again in the future.

 

The J’achète un produit québécois day is a great opportunity to take meaningful action, but it can also become the starting point for a broader reflection on our consumption habits

 

On June 12, why not start with one simple gesture?

 

Take your place at the table

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A practical guide for women who want to get involved

Taking your place at the table is a real opportunity to make your voice heard, share your unique perspective, and actively participate in making agricultural decisions. Whether you have already considered getting involved or it’s a completely new challenge for you, here are some practical and inspiring tips on how to take action and enrich agricultural bodies with your expertise and ideas.

Understand the importance of your involvement

As a woman farmer, your unique perspective will contribute to discussions and promote more inclusive and innovative decisions. Diverse boards have been proven to be more efficient and resilient in the face of challenges.

Concrete steps to get started

  • Get to know your farm organization. Familiarize yourself with its values, its operations, and the responsibilities of its board members. Visit its website, review annual reports, and participate in events.
  • Attend a meeting as an observer. Attending a meeting is a great way to better understand the dynamics at play, the topics discussed, and the way decisions are made.
  • Look for a mentor. Identify an experienced person in your circle or within the organization who can guide you and answer your questions. Structured mentoring is a valuable way to build confidence and acquire the necessary skills. In fact, if you become a member of the Agricultrices du Québec, you will have access to a structured mentoring program.
  • Dare to ask questions. Never underestimate the value of your ideas or questions. Your unique perspective is an asset that can enrich discussions and broaden the horizons of other members.

Develop your skills with resources and training

Do you want to feel better prepared and supported in your approach to becoming involved in your agricultural organization? Here are some opportunities specifically designed for you:

  • Attend practical workshops. Discover training tailored to your needs. These may include public speaking, running meetings, or an introduction to board roles.
  • Join a group of inspiring women. Join a network of women in agriculture who share their experiences, offer mentorship, and organize support activities. The Agricultrices du Québec is one such example.
  • Access online resources. Explore simple and effective guides to build your confidence and develop your skills.

These initiatives aim to provide you with concrete tools, support, and connections so that you can stand out and make a difference in your farm community.

Tips on how to stand out starting from your first involvement

  • Express your point of view. Your unique perspective is a valuable asset. Feel free to share your ideas and experiences, even if you don’t know all the details. Every voice counts when it comes to enriching discussions.
  • Get ready in a simple way. A little research or a quick read-through of the items on the agenda is often enough to put you at ease. You don’t have to master every topic to make an impact.
  • Trust your strengths. Remember that your presence and contribution are already a step towards change. Your voice, ideas, and experience will add value to every table you sit at.

You are about to make a real difference in your community. Taking your place at the table means contributing to stronger, more inclusive, and more representative decisions. So, why not get started today?