Moisson Beauce and the UPA de Chaudière-Appalaches launched the Viande solidaire program on June 1, 2026, to convert unmarketable livestock into quality ground meat for families in need across the region.
The initiative addresses a critical 75,000-kilogram annual meat deficit for Moisson Beauce, which currently meets only 40% of the protein demands for the 6,300 residents it serves monthly.
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Organizers estimate the program will reduce this shortage by 12,000 kilograms in its first year, targeting 18,000 kilograms by the fourth year while preventing agricultural food waste.
Under the framework, livestock operations donate animals that are injured, slow-growing, or at the end of their reproductive cycles.
Partner facilities, including Abattoir Cliche and Abattoir R. Pouliot et Fils, process the livestock into ground meat at cost.
Participating farmers receive tax receipts and transportation cost compensations.
The regional launch follows a winter pilot project during which Moisson Beauce successfully integrated 60 pigs and two dairy cows into the supply chain, establishing a viable logistics network.
Growing Need and Economic Pressure
"On arrive en fait à un point qu'en 2026, on a une augmentation de 8 % du nombre de personnes aidées en seulement une année.
Mais on a aussi une diminution de 8 % de l'approvisionnement. L'écart se creuse," said Marie Champagne, General Manager of Moisson Beauce.
Champagne noted that the shifting economic environment required a transformation of the food bank's traditional procurement model to sustain its operations.
"C’est un partenariat gagnant-gagnant," she added.
Local producers expressed relief at finding an alternative utility for animals that would otherwise face routine euthanasia on the farm due to rigid commercial standards.
"La nature est ce qu’elle est.
Il y en a qui grossissent moins vite, ça fait des cochons fragilisés, des cochons qu’on ne peut pas valoriser sur le marché et pour lesquels on doit trouver un autre débouché," said Vincent Lessard, owner of Ferme Loulou.
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Lessard added that the tax incentives and logistical support transformed a mandatory loss into a meaningful contribution to his community.
"C'est une œuvre qui me tient à cœur. Ça valorise quelque chose que moi, je suis obligé d'eliminer.
En plus, ça devient quelque chose qui est lucratif pour moi," he said.
Agricultural union leadership endorsed the expansion of the program, which originally began in the MRC de Coaticook in 2020 before expanding through Estrie and into the Chaudière-Appalaches territory.
"C’est une solution concrète et durable pour nourrir les personnes vulnérables de chez nous, tout en évitant le gaspillage alimentaire," said René Roy, Second Vice-President of the Fédération régionale de l’Union des producteurs agricoles.
Processing facilities have established strict safety oversight to maintain public health compliance during the transformation phase.
"Il y a toujours un vétérinaire avec deux inspecteurs sur place pour vérifier les carcasses," said Steeve Cliche, Co-owner of Abattoir Cliche.
Cliche emphasized that the processing sector remains committed to supporting the network beyond traditional holiday charity drives.
"Pour nous, c’est important parce que ça réunit autant les producteurs que les transformateurs.
Ce n’est pas juste dans le temps de Noël qu'il y a des paniers [de denrées à donner], c’est à l’année," he said.
Moisson Québec has officially joined the oversight committee to expand the distribution network into the Lévis and Lotbinière sectors, with plans to incorporate the MRCs of Montmagny and L'Islet next year.
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Moisson Beauce continues to seek financial partnerships to secure the long-term development of the initiative.
