Food safety: some good news

Since being hired as coordinator of concerted projects in food security, Dana Cooper has been working with local stakeholders on food security issues in Sutton and Abercorn. Various initiatives have been implemented, during which the generosity of the public has been greatly appreciated.

This generosity remains necessary to support the organizations and initiatives that contribute to food security in our community: if you can, give generously this holiday season!

CAB Sutton Guignolée Food Bank

The Centre d’action bénévole de Sutton (CAB) has launched its annual guignolée food bank campaign, which will enable its food bank to distribute food baskets during the holiday season to those in need, in addition to supporting its year-round mission.

There are many ways to contribute: you can donate dry goods (canned goods, pasta, rice, etc.), personal products (diapers, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc.) or cash (cheque or cash, or online; tax receipts will be provided on request).

Upcoming collections:
Saturday, December 6: CAB Sutton volunteers will be on hand at the IGA to collect your food and financial donations.
Sunday, December 7: CAB Sutton volunteers will go door-to-door to collect food and cash donations (cheque or cash) that you would like to offer to the food bank. Please prepare your donations in advance.

You can also drop off your donations at the CAB Sutton at any time during their opening hours, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more details, visit their Guignolée Food Bank page at https://cabsutton.com/guignolee.

Collective kitchens organized by Village Famille Sutton and CAB Sutton

Village Famille Sutton is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting parents in creating a dynamic and supportive parenting community. In collaboration with the CAB Sutton, it organizes monthly collective kitchens for pregnant women and new mothers who face ever-increasing food security challenges.

These get-togethers are a great way to meet other moms, learn new recipes from an experienced chef, and leave with homemade dishes ready to freeze. The next collective kitchen will be held at the CAB on December 4, 2025. To register, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Sutton elementary school chosen for innovative agriculture program

Sutton School is one of only four schools in the Eastern Townships to have been selected this year to participate in AgrÉcole, a brand-new three-year program focusing on agriculture. Starting in the new year, each class will benefit from one hour a month of hands-on activities focusing on soil health, growing food, harvesting, cooking and the history of agriculture here in Quebec.

In future years, the program should begin in September, allowing students to reap what others have sown the previous spring – a true cycle of learning and discovery. The curriculum supports a number of subjects, including french, math, science, culture and citizenship, while awakening children’s curiosity about agriculture and the many careers associated with it.

New gardening boxes have already been installed on the school grounds, and a team of parent volunteers will maintain them over the summer so that the harvest is ready for the fall back-to-school season. The communo-greenhouse will soon be filled with vegetables and fruit for students to observe, prepare and enjoy.

We would like to acknowledge the dedication of Annick Boily, whose vision and commitment have made this project possible. From the introduction of reusable dishes in the cafeteria ten years ago to the creation of the school’s greenhouse, her unwavering commitment to healthy living has made École de Sutton a true model for the community.

Proximité Cards: promoting access to healthy, local food in Sutton

Thanks to the collaboration of the Town of Sutton, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 158 and a generous contribution from the Sutton Saturday Market, 30 Proximité Cards benefiting a total of 75 residents, were distributed to food-insecure members of the community during the summer of 2025.

With a view to continuing the project in 2026, additional donations from community members and the sale of Proximity cards have raised $4,550 to date. The Legion, meanwhile, has generously contributed $5,000 to support the initiative next year. We can therefore already count on an encouraging total of $9,550 to relaunch the initiative, but we must also anticipate a continuing rise in the cost of foodstuffs and an increase in the number of requests from food-insecure people in 2026.

That is why we are hoping for continued community support, while actively seeking grants to help us pursue our mission: to ensure that food-insecure residents are fed, while we strengthen and support our local farms.

Form to purchase a Proximité Card combined with a cash donation

Important! Please note that 100% of your donation will be used to help those in need.