On March 28, Rigaud's Maison des jeunes L'Alternative kicked off an unprecedented social initiative on the municipal territory: a community fridge. Néomédia contacted Janie Séguin, the organization's community animator, to find out more about the project. 

Since its launch, this free food service has proved extremely popular with local residents. The objectives of the project are to reduce food waste and food insecurity, reduce the planet's ecological footprint, and build a more united and supportive community. The Maison des jeunes L'Alternative also aims to create a space for citizens to exchange, share and help one another. 

"Citizens of Pointe-Fortune, Rigaud, Très-Saint-Rédempteur and surrounding areas are invited to come and pick up foodstuffs, but also to drop them off. We're delighted that the project was able to get off the ground this year, thanks to the funding it required to get off the ground," says Janie Séguin from the outset. 

In fact, the idea was first put forward by the Marché écolocal de Rigaud eight years ago, but was unable to get off the ground due to a lack of adequate funding. "At the time, a number of ideas were floated, such as making unsold produce from the Marché available free of charge for soup-making. Unfortunately, due to a lack of financial resources, these ideas had to be abandoned. Last fall, Fanny LeBlanc, director of the Maison des jeunes des Cèdres, informed us that funds were available to make the project a reality. So I took up the idea and put it into practice as soon as I took up my new post last January," adds the young woman. 

After discussions with Café de la Débrouille, it was finally decided that Maison des jeunes L'Alternative would take on the project. "We offer a great complement to the Café de la Débrouille. For example, a person who is not eligible for help from this organization can turn to our service for food assistance. In the event that the organization is closed, beneficiaries in need can access the fridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without having to provide proof of residence or anything else. All they have to do is come and help themselves. It's a great alternative," explains Janie Séguin. 

A wide variety of foods available on site? Many foods, such as meat, ready-made meals with expiration dates, cereal products, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, canned goods and pasta. 

Certain products, such as narcotics, alcohol, or expired products are prohibited. "We want to avoid finding products that are unfit for consumption. We rely on the good judgment of users. If they wouldn't normally eat it, we ask them not to put it in the fridge."

To carry out its project, Maison des jeunes L'Alternative can count on a number of kind-hearted partners. These include the Moisson Sud-Ouest food bank, which drops off food on a regular basis, as well as the Club optimiste de Rigaud, Ferme le Petit Brûlé, which supplies vegetables following an approach from Marjolaine Roy, and Dépanneur Laberge. The CISSS de la Montérégie Ouest funds the project, as does the Club Optimiste de Rigaud. 

The fridge is filled every day.  "I fill it at the start of my working day and check several times afterwards to make sure it's still working properly, that no unwanted food has been deposited in it, or that no vandalism has occurred. On Fridays, we try to drop off more food since the Maison des jeunes is closed on weekends."

The Maison des Jeunes is looking for a wooden chest of drawers or cupboard to store non-perishable foodstuffs. At present, all foodstuffs, whether perishable or not, are stored in the fridge due to the lack of space. By adding a cupboard, the fridge will have more space to accommodate ready-made meals or other foods that need to be kept cold or frozen.

The organization is also looking for corporate partners interested in donating food to fill the fridge. "We encourage people and companies to do their part and strengthen their commitment to their community by participating in the project on a regular, one-off or daily basis. Don't hesitate to come and make a donation or pick up food if you need it, that's what the fridge is there for," concludes Janie Séguin. 

What's in the fridge? A wide range of foods, including meat, ready-made meals with expiration dates, cereal products, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, canned goods and pasta.