METRO launches the first METRO’s Shared Kitchen in the Outaouais region

Buckingham, May 21, 2026 — METRO, in collaboration with its long-standing partner Food Banks of Quebec (FBQ), is pleased to announce the launch of the eighth kitchen in the METRO’s Shared Kitchens network. This is the first facility in the network located in the Outaouais region, and it will be operated by the Banque alimentaire de la Lièvre.

The creation of this METRO’s Shared Kitchen will enable the deployment of a sustainable culinary education program that meets the community’s needs, leveraging a unique infrastructure composed of two complementary spaces: a community kitchen dedicated to collaborative and educational activities, and a commercial kitchen that facilitates the preparation and distribution of prepared meals. The project involves optimizing the space and adapting the facilities to effectively support food processing, training, and production activities. This new infrastructure will strengthen food security, support community initiatives in the Outaouais region, and contribute to the development of skills that promote food autonomy.

“By choosing to invest in people, knowledge-sharing, and a culture of care, METRO demonstrates a concrete commitment to the sustainable development of our community. Thanks to this funding, we are assured that, over the next three years, we will have a dedicated resource to plan and facilitate culinary workshops and community kitchen programs”, says Anne Mercier, Executive Director of Banque alimentaire de la Lièvre.

METRO is investing nearly $3 million in the first two editions of METRO’s Shared Kitchens, including $300,000 for the installation and operation of the kitchen at Banque alimentaire de la Lièvre.

“We made sure to develop a project that genuinely responds to the needs of the community. We are very proud of this tangible initiative, which allows us to create a lasting legacy in the communities where we operate and brings our purpose to life: Nourishing the health and well being of our communities,” said Marie Claude Bacon, Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, METRO.

Meeting the needs of the community sector
The sharing of space, human resources, and equipment among organizations, as well as funding to build new professional kitchen facilities dedicated to various types of culinary programs, enables community sector organizations to better meet their needs.

“We know that the lack of resources and infrastructure remains an obstacle to the development of this type of program for our members. The funding will have a major impact in the affected communities, as organizations will now be able to do more for their beneficiaries. The enthusiasm shown by our network demonstrates the need for these types of facilities in Quebec,” says Martin Munger, Executive Director, Food Banks of Quebec.

The third edition of METRO’s Shared Kitchens is already underway. The selected beneficiary organizations will be announced in the coming weeks.