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Annick's picks: Local gift ideas for Montrealers

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Actu - Les idées-cadeaux d'Épluche ta ville

Annick Girard of Épluche ta ville shares her gift ideas for the locavores on your list.

"I've been working with Épluche ta ville, a campaign that promotes healthier eating by encouraging Montrealers to eat more local produce, for three years now. It has really taught me a lot about healthy eating and eating local."

Annick has made many exciting discoveries as she has immersed herself in Montreal's thriving locavore movement. 

"The holiday season is a time of year where we want to indulge ourselves and the people we love. Here is what is on my list of gifts: local and sustainable food – the kinds of gifts where no self-restraint is necessary."

Annick recommends:

Recipes

If you read French, check out some of these locally authored cookbooks:

  • Cuisine du marché by Anne Samson
  • Cuisiner les légumes oubliés du Québec by Anne Samson
  • Sous le charme des courges et citrouilles by Louise Gagnon
  • Saveurs locales by Aliments d'ici

There is also Toqué!: Creators of a New Quebec Gastronomy, by celebrity chef (and honorary member of Equiterre) Normand Laprise, which is available in English translation.

Another idea: share your favourite recipes for a one-of-a-kind gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Meals

Or invite your friends and family over for a home-cooked meal featuring local ingredients.

Local fruits and vegetables

  • A gift certificate from one of the two grocery stores featured in our Épluche ta ville web doc series: Fou d'ici or Coop La Maison verte
  • Sign up a friend or loved one for an organic basket from Equiterre's family farmer network.
  • Give homemade preserves, sauces, jams, etc.
  • Hold a tasting evening where you invite your guests to try winter veggies, local cheeses and Quebec beer.
  • Organize a workshop on living and raw foods for you and your friends.

 Involvement

  • Join a collective kitchen with a friend.
  • Set up someone with a balcony gardening kit.
  • Offer your yard to a "land-less" gardener via AgricultureMontreal.com
  • Start a collective garden with your neighbours.
  • Volunteer for an organization that promotes sustainable food.

Best wishes for the holiday season from Annick and all of us here at Equiterre.

p.s. You can also check out this handy buy local map from Made in Montréal.