Community-run grocer hopes to tackle food insecurity in St. Henri

After a successful crowdfunding campaign a new community-run grocer has opened in St. Henri in the hope of addressing food insecurity in the west end of the neighbourhood.

Dimitri Esprance is proud to live in the area, but like manyhe's found it challenging to get his groceries done without many options available.

With Montreal under a lockdown in May of 2020 and more time on his hands, he decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to see if his neighbours would be interested in creating something to address the problem.

Luckily for him, they were, and by December of 2021 they had exceeded their goal of $15,000. The City of Montreal has also supported the non-profit with close to $130,000 in funding.

"There's been a great response from the neighborhood," said Esprance, who co-founded the non-profit co-op alongsidepresident Maryse Gagn.

"There's a real appetite for people in this neighbourhood for food initiatives because it's a frustration that is shared by everybody."

The co-op on Notre-Dame Street West has been open since Feb. 23, and is run by a mix of staff and volunteers who are also members of the organization.

Vanessa Srandour-Allaire has been living in St. Henri for the last 10years, and has been volunteering with the co-op since before it opened.

"I'm actually closer to the IGA, but I'd rather come here to do my groceries," she said. "It really helps the community."

"I'm also someone who complains a lot in life, so now at least I'm doing something."

Most in the west end of the neighbourhood rely on the IGAin the area, but that can pose problems for those who don't drive, or those who are elderly or living with disabilities, Esprance said.Many of their products have lower costs compared to thoseat IGA, he said.

"For the people who are more vulnerable we can see the direct impact it has on their health,"Esprancesaid.

"Older people and people with disabilities had to walk twokilometres before we opened the store to get fresh produce."

There's no cost to become a member of the co-op instead members are askedto volunteer at least three hours of their time each month working in the store.

Members can also join the co-op's committees if they're interested in getting involved with the administration of the grocer.

"One of the major advantages of an initiative like La Dal is that it's community driven. We want to create a sense that this is their grocery store," Esprance said.

Enzo Lordevisited the store on Sunday to pick up some bacon, andsaid he's planningonbecominga member of the co-op.

"Having this across the street with a two minute walk, it's perfect," he said.