The organization Le Mûrier is proud to announce the launching of its project La Fabrique à Bouffe in a community-oriented building in the Rosemont-La Petite Patrie borough, in partnership with the SHDM and SHAPEM. Through this initiative, people affected by mental illness will learn to prepare food, and the fruits of their labour – representing about a hundred meals a day – will then be sold at affordable prices to tenants in the building and to community organizations in the region.
The project is in line with the specific social mission of each of the involved organizations. For its implementation, a disused indoor swimming pool was converted into a community dining-room and specialized equipment was purchased. The partnership includes a commitment by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM), owner of the building, to make a financial contribution of up to $ 25,000 towards the cost of the work, in addition to guaranteeing the rent-free use of the common areas.
In addition, Société d’habitation populaire de l’Est de Montréal (SHAPEM), the non-profit organization which manages the building, will provide expertise and support for the implementation of this social innovation initiative and for the coordination of the specialized resources who assist the clienteles targeted by the project.
Initiated and funded by Le Mûrier, the concept of La Fabrique à Bouffe is to enable people living with a mental health problem to participate in kitchen work according to their personal abilities and pace. This practical experience will allow these persons to learn more about their professional skills before starting a return-to-work program.
Under the supervision of a trainer cook, participants will learn food preparation, how to respect deadlines and schedules, safety habits and specific hygiene and public health rules in a professional kitchen. In addition, activities such as visits to kitchens, farmers markets and suppliers will be proposed.
The premises of La Fabrique à Bouffe are located at 6869 Papineau in Montréal, in a building of 139 rental dwellings owned by the SHDM and managed by the community organization SHAPEM.
Information:
Alex Chayer, Managing Director, Le Mûrier inc. 514 254-6110, ext. 221, [email protected]
Leslie Molko, spokesperson, Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal 514 347-8584
Photo credit: Sylvie Trépanier