Women Leading Change: Coop CAUS

Leading Change in Community-Based Food

Coop CAUS is a non-profit solidarity cooperative helping Montrealers to eat in a healthy, sustainable and ethical way. Through farmers’ markets and a year-round general store, CAUS provides fresh, local food and farm products in an area that lacks easy access to grocery stores. Beyond just food, the cooperative supports the local economy, builds community resilience, and contributes to climate change mitigation. In this short film, meet director Tracey Arial and see how cooperatives offer a different way forward for food systems in Montreal and beyond. 

Inside Coop CAUS

Coop CAUS operates as a true cooperative, with three types of members: workers, who coordinate the projects, producers, who participate in the markets, and consumers. Members buy shares in the cooperative and have a say in its democratic management. In addition to traditional outdoor farmers’ markets, the Multi-CAUS store in the borough of Verdun operates. This permanent space allows  local agri-food companies to sell their products year round, and gives both consumer members and neighbourhood residents access to fruits, vegetables and products from small Quebec businesses.  The cooperative also contributes to urban agriculture projects and a number of other initiatives to promote local food, education, and social connections.

Working with Open Food Network

As a non-profit and social purpose organization, the role of Open Food Network Canada is to work with local food and farming enterprises to scale fair, local, and sustainable agrifood initiatives in communities across Canada. This includes supporting and promoting social good organizations like CAUS, which recently joined the OFN platform as a new way to reach customers.

Meet the Farmers & Producers

Ranging from small specialty growers to mid-sized farms, Coop CAUS’s suppliers share a common interest in sustainability, community, and high-quality food and flowers.

We’d like to introduce you to a few of them.