Mr. Chair and members of the committee, thank you for giving us the opportunity to present an initiative that, in our view, is a practical model for regional development, combatting food insecurity and supporting our local agriculture. I'm talking about the Portneuf food voucher program.
I'm here today on behalf of the board of directors of the Union des producteurs agricoles de Portneuf. The Portneuf UPA is a proud partner in this joint initiative, which brings together the agricultural sector, community members, municipal officials and institutions to achieve a common goal: ensuring that all citizens have access to fresh, local food while supporting our farmers.
This project is very important to the Portneuf UPA because it creates a direct link between families and the farmers who grow crops, raise livestock, process food and provide for our region. The food voucher program was launched in 2025 at public markets in Saint-Raymond, Deschambault-Grondines and Saint-Casimir.
In its very first year, the program provided 94 vulnerable households with access to healthy, high-quality food for 12 weeks. More importantly, this program is fundamentally changing the way we approach food assistance. Traditionally, support measures for people experiencing food insecurity have often relied on models that, while important, may create a stigma.
The food voucher program uses a different approach. Participants receive vouchers they can use at public markets, just like any other shopper. This allows them to choose their own food, meet producers, find local products and fully participate in community life. This is the program's greatest strength. It simultaneously addresses two major societal challenges.
First, it helps reduce food insecurity. The results speak for themselves. In 2025, the voucher redemption rate was 94%, a clear indication that there is a genuine need and that the participating families fully embraced the program. The program also generated more than $63,000 in economic benefits for participating public markets, including $12,670 from vouchers purchased by members of the public through La Ruche, which demonstrates citizens' support for this initiative and their commitment to ensuring access to food and supporting local businesses.
The data collected from participants is equally telling. More than 91% of respondents feel that the food vouchers made a significant contribution to their food budget during the summer. Nearly 71% of respondents said the vouchers helped them reduce their grocery expenses, and 56% of respondents said the vouchers were the main reason they were able to eat better. Judging from these figures, this isn't just a financial support program; it's a practical tool that improves families' quality of life and their access to healthy food.
Furthermore, the program directly supports the local organic food economy. Every voucher redeemed means additional sales for producers.
Finally, if I may, I'd like to share my dream for the food voucher program. My dream is that it will spread throughout Quebec and even serve as a model for the rest of Canada.
Thank you.