It will now be easier for Lanaudière restaurateurs to develop their gourmet takeout boxes more sustainably! The Lanaudière Biofood Development Council (CDBL) and the Lanaudière SADCs, in collaboration with Tourisme Lanaudière, are launching the Guide and Eligibility Standards, a tool designed to support the region’s gourmet businesses in the sustainable and responsible preparation of their takeout boxes.
This practical guide presents clear standards to promote the use of reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging materials and aims to reduce the environmental impact of takeout food boxes. In addition to offering concrete recommendations tailored to various types of food products, including a majority of local and regional products, it encourages an eco-design approach and promotes local and eco-responsible suppliers. By complying with these guidelines, restaurateurs and producers not only contribute to preserving the environment, but also enhance the perceived quality of their offerings, thus meeting the growing expectations of a clientele concerned about their ecological footprint.
Entirely funded by the Lanaudière SADCs, this project stems from needs identified both by the D’Autray Tourism Development Management Committee and during consultations on Tourisme Lanaudière’s Mountain Plan. Papineau&CO, a local firm specializing in design, optimization, and packaging technology, was awarded a mandate for the eco-design of gourmet baskets. This study led to the creation of the Guide and Eligibility Standards. The document is available on the CDBL website and on the websites of each of the Lanaudière SADCs.
“We are very proud to have been the lead organization for this project, which offers significant development opportunities for Lanaudière’s biofood businesses. Each lunch box will feature examples of Lanaudière’s expertise. Our specialized consulting services will then provide appropriate support to the businesses that are investing in this mobilizing project,” said Karine Charpentier, Executive Director of the CDBL.
“This developed tool will certainly help our Lanaudière businesses make better eco-responsible choices when developing their meal box offerings for their customers, both restaurant owners and tourism businesses offering this type of product.” “This guide meets a growing need among our businesses and aligns with the vision of the SADCs regarding the sustainable development of our territories,” emphasize Jocelyn de Grandpré, Executive Director of the SADC de D’Autray-Joliette, Claude Chartier, Executive Director of the SADC Achigan-Montcalm, and Jonathan Landreville, Executive Director of the SADC Matawinie.
Upcoming Pilot Project
The literature from this study will also be used for a pilot project on the implementation of a gourmet basket system for the region’s tourist clientele. This second phase will be overseen by Tourisme Lanaudière’s Mountain Plan, in collaboration with other regional stakeholders. More details will be announced shortly.
