MicroHabitat x Accueil Bonneau: Greening Cities, Feeding People

At MicroHabitat, our mission is to transform rooftops and underutilized spaces into vibrant urban farms. In doing so, we also collaborate with key social organizations, supporting their efforts to create positive change. One such partnership is with Accueil Bonneau, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. Through our collaboration, fresh harvests grown on Manulife's rooftops are delivered directly to Accueil Bonneau's kitchen.

"MicroHabitat is a partner that adds variety to our menus. We don't always have the chance to cook with fresh, seasonal foods. We now can enhance our meals with lots of flavor and freshness." - Frédéric Michaud, head of production at the Accueil Bonneau food service.

The spring of 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, particularly for those facing homelessness. Organizations like Accueil Bonneau, part of the Quebec Food Bank network, were deeply concerned about potential food shortages as the crisis unfolded. In response, MicroHabitat's Urban Solidarity Farms program proudly supported Accueil Bonneau in its mission to provide nourishment to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Since 2016, our team at MicroHabitat has been dedicated to greening cities, improving urban living conditions, and reconnecting people with their food and nature. We transform rooftops and outdoor spaces of businesses, institutions, and schools into thriving edible gardens. Although these gardens are often hidden from public view, their impact is profound—many contribute to a larger cause: feeding communities in need. Accueil Bonneau is a prime example of how our partnerships make a difference. Each season, harvests from nine urban farms are delivered straight to their kitchen. "Being able to source locally is a major asset for us in terms of saving time and money, while reducing our environmental footprint." - Frédéric Michaud

Our urban farmers work diligently on Manulife's MicroHabitat farms, with the harvests making their way to Accueil Bonneau. This initiative ensures that hundreds of individuals in need have access to fresh, healthy, and ecological produce. Herbs, fruits, and vegetables, grown just miles away, are incorporated into nutritious meals. By the end of the 2020 season, nearly one ton of locally grown food had been donated to Accueil Bonneau, providing essential nourishment to those in precarious situations. "We all benefit from this partnership. The kitchens first, because it is a real pleasure to work with fresh and seasonal products, as well as all those who eat here, that is to say our users, volunteers and employees," says Frédéric, who is responsible for the production of the food service at Accueil Bonneau.

The Urban Solidarity Farms program demonstrates the significant impact that businesses can have on communities through societal involvement. Thanks to the network between Accueil Bonneau and MicroHabitat's clients, over 1,600 meals are enhanced each month during the growing season with fresh vegetables sourced from the rooftops of downtown Montreal.

Together, let's cultivate change.