By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The federal government has provided $222,200 in non-repayable funding to Croquarium, a Sherbrooke-based non-profit, to support the development of Maison Croquarium, a project focused on building sustainable, community-based food spaces. The announcement was made Aug. 20 by Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), alongside Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière.
The funds, granted under CED’s “Regional Economic Growth through Innovation” program, will enable Croquarium to develop key community food infrastructure such as a processing kitchen, educational gardens, a greenhouse, and a green roof. The facilities will be available to small agri-food businesses in the region, providing them with access to commercial-grade equipment that complies with government regulations.
Ferrada highlighted in a same day release that social economy projects like Maison Croquarium are vital to regional development, helping stimulate local economies and support sustainable initiatives. She noted that this project will benefit not just Sherbrooke but communities across Quebec and Canada.
Brière added that the Maison Croquarium project is a double win for the region, as it will support local agri-food businesses while continuing Croquarium’s mission of educating young people about sustainable food practices.
According to Martine David, Founder and Strategic Development Advisor of Croquarium, local food producers and processors are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new kitchen, which will allow them to enhance their production capabilities and offer products made from locally grown ingredients.
