Lassonde helps drive innovation in the food world
Last year, we began our partnership with Esplanade Québec, whose mission is to support entrepreneurs who have decided to place social or environmental impact at the heart of their business model. To accelerate the socio-ecological transition, the organization catalyzes a community of entrepreneurs, innovators and organizations to collectively tackle Quebec’s social and environmental challenges.
Since then, we’ve been pleased to support the Collision program’s Food Systems cohorts as a partner in this sector of innovation. It was a great pleasure to act as jury to select the six entrepreneurs of the 2024 cohort. Once again this year, we will be awarding a $10,000 bursary to the entrepreneur whose innovative project stands out.
Through Esplanade Québec, participants will benefit from, among other things:
- 15 hours of semi-personalized facilitation and 15 hours of customized coaching
- 4 workshops on tools developed by experts in impact entrepreneurship
- Access to privileged partners in the food systems community
We hosted the cohort at one of our beverage plants in Rougemont for a workshop led by the marketing and innovation and sustainable development teams. Participants were able to learn more about processes, the impact of inputs and contaminants, heat treatments and packaging adapted to the type of product.
“I discovered one of the industry’s biggest players in this sector, which is based very close to home. Discovering the range of products that come out of these factories. The extent of the company’s presence across North America and beyond. In short, it was very enriching to realize that we have such a giant here in Quebec.”
“I really enjoyed meeting the marketing and R&D team, who gave us […] very relevant information and a pleasant introduction to both technical and financial matters. I really enjoyed visiting the production area and seeing how all the machines and the implementation of zone management techniques are done in such a way as not to create bottlenecks in production.”