Strawberry producers by the indignant

Catherine Montambeault

Saturday, 26 August, 2017 22:43

UPDATE
Saturday, 26 August, 2017 22:43

Look at this article

Walmart offers strawberries imported from the United States and Mexico at very low prices while the season is in full swing in the province, complain to the Quebec strawberry producers.

“We are in full harvest. There are strawberries everywhere in Quebec, they are of excellent quality and really not expensive. Then we do not understand why Walmart does not encourage the producers here, ” laments Jennifer Crawford, interim executive director of the Association of producers of strawberries and raspberries in Quebec (APFFQ).

Photo courtesy

Jennifer Crawford, director-general of the APFFQ

Abundance

This week, on the first page of the circular distributed by Walmart, the retailer is promoting strawberries from Mexico and the United States. The small fruits are sold or $ 1.44 per pound, while those in Quebec were $ 2.99 per for the same amount and can’t be found anywhere in the circular.

Louis Bélisle, owner of the farm A. Bélisle et Fils, Saint-Eustache, believes that consumers should be made aware of this situation ” outrageous “.

“As producers, we find it deplorable that a food giant such as Walmart buys strawberries that are also in the midst of abundance in Quebec,” he says.

According to Mr. Bélisle, the APFFQ tent for the past few years to collaborate with Walmart, without success.

Local purchasing

“We deal with all the major chains and we get together two or three times per year to find strategies to promote Quebec products,” he says. But for Walmart, buying local does not seem important. “

“If you look in the circulars of all the other banners, the Quebec strawberry are well-advertised “, he says.

Walmart has not responded to the interview request of the Newspaper Saturday.