While the presence of Chinese compotes in its hospitals is controversial, the CHU de Québec-Université Laval maintains that they will disappear because all the desserts served in the cafeteria of its establishments will be of Quebec origin in a month, starting October 20.
This was confirmed in writing by the organization’s spokesperson, Michèle Schaffner-Junius, in response to a request made following a column published in the pages of JournalWednesday.
In this column, the former co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, Émilise Lessard-Therrien, shared the testimony of a farmer from Île d’Orléans who deplored the fact that fruit compotes made in China are still served at the Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus in Québec.
Following this publication accompanied by a photo, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne, sharply attacked the former member for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue during a press scrum.
“What discourages me is that sometimes there are people who write things and then they don’t know what they’re talking about.”
– Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food André Lamontagne in response to Émilise Lessard-Therrien’s column
Although he did not deny what the columnist and ardent defender of local purchasing reported, it is clear that Minister Lamontagne was wrong.
Two varieties of compotes made in China are offered to users and employees of the CHUL on September 19, 2024. Photo VINCENT DESBIENS
The Journal actually visited three hospitals of the CHU de Québec and was able to see that the same compotes photographed by the market gardener were on sale in the cafeteria. Former Parti Québécois MP Denis Trottier informed us that he had made the same observation in the canteen of a hospital in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
Mandarin, orange and pear-flavored compotes made in China are on sale at the Saint-François d’Assise hospital in Quebec City on September 19, 2024. Photo VINCENT DESBIENS
65% of food from Quebec
In addition to stating that Asian fruit mixes would be removed from its menu in the coming weeks, the CHU prides itself on being at the forefront of purchasing local products among Quebec institutions, since 65% of its entire food offering comes from the province.
He admits, however, that he can do even more. The university hospital is “constantly working to identify local products with lower purchasing volumes,” such as jams and soda crackers, in order to “replace certain products from elsewhere” and improve the local food supply.
Reached by telephone, François Blouin, co-owner of the eponymous farm on Île d’Orléans, “welcomes the commendable effort,” but considers that this is still too small a proportion of Quebec products.
“We have an agricultural industry that is experiencing difficulties and that dreams of entering the institutional market more seriously. It shouldn’t be this complicated,” he argues.
“Administrative burden”
The fruit and vegetable producer points the finger at the food purchasing process for Quebec institutions, which falls under the Government Acquisitions Centre (CAG), as being responsible for the limited quantity of Quebec food.
“For 10 years, there has been a terrible administrative burden. Everything must go through the CAG, and they are responsible for choosing the lowest bidder who meets their criteria. It is practically impossible for Quebec producers to compete on their calls for tenders against large groups,” laments Mr. Blouin.
Relaunched by our Parliamentary Office, “we will not make any further comment,” indicated the office of the Minister of Agriculture André Lamontagne, through his press attaché, Sophie Jacques-Barma.
– With the collaboration of Marc-André Gagnon, Parliamentary Office
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