Inspirations

8 businesses blending sustainability and culinary delights

Fall is the perfect season to meet producers and artisan processors who combine quality, local know-how, and sustainable practices. Here are 8 businesses blending sustainability and culinary delights—where caring for the environment is at the heart of what they do. 🌿

1. Freshly milled flour and organic wheat

Boulangerie Du Pain… c’est tout!

Since October 2024, all their breads and pastries have been made with flour milled on-site. The organic wheat is sourced from local farmers and processed using a traditional stone mill. This approach helps keep prices fair while ensuring top quality, with the rich taste and freshness that only just-milled flour can deliver. 🥖

📍 La Pocatière (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

2. GreenStep Silver Certification

Vignoble de l’Orpailleur

The vineyard has earned Silver Certification from GreenStep, an internationally recognized organization known for its rigorous sustainable tourism standards. Since day one, the vineyard has made sustainability a top priority, driven by a deep belief in protecting and renewing the land that feeds us. 🍃

📍 Dunham (Cantons-de-l’Est)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

3. Innovative and sustainable projects

Un Goût de Miel

Un Goût de Miel is leading the way in both sustainable agriculture and tourism, with a clear goal: welcoming more group visitors while reducing its ecological footprint. In 2025, three inspiring and innovative projects came to life!

First, a zero-waste café space was set up on-site, with a fun and unique twist: 50 tourism businesses from Centre-du-Québec are each represented by a custom-designed mug. Next, the Community Garden opened its gates to those eager to learn how to grow their own food while breaking social isolation, right on the honey farm grounds. Finally, the Beehive Sponsorship Program offers a meaningful way to support biodiversity, with three contribution levels available to both individuals and businesses. 🐝

📍 Sainte-Clothilde-de-Horton (Centre-du-Québec)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

4. A Canadian first with the “Grass Fed” certification

Fromagerie L’Ancêtre

The cheese factory is proudly the first in Canada to carry the “Grass Fed” certification, in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Canada. This label ensures that cows receive at least 75% of their diet from organic pasture and forage, and spend a minimum of 120 days per year grazing outdoors.

This distinction now applies to their line of 325 g cheddar, mild, medium, and sharp—with an extra sharp version coming later this year. This major step forward earned the cheese factory the Innovation Award from the CTAQ, recognizing its strong commitment to quality and sustainability. 🌱

📍 Bécancour (Centre-du-Québec)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

5. GreenStep Certification, a new grain silo, and more!

Grand Dérangement distillery

Grand Dérangement distillery keeps making waves in 2025! A new silo for organic corn has been added on-site, strengthening their grain-to-bottle approach. The distillery also earned GreenStep’s sustainable tourism certification and is planning new water recovery systems. It’s a year of celebration for their SAGA gin, turning five, and of new releases rooted in the Saint-Jacques terroir: Pembroke whisky and Mémoire gin. 🥃

📍Saint-Jacques (Lanaudière)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

6. Biosphere-certified eco-responsible approach

Le Moulin Saint-Laurent

Moulin Saint-Laurent is embracing an eco-responsible approach by joining the Biosphere program, an important step toward official sustainable tourism certification. In the kitchen, Chef Alexandra Gagné has crafted a menu that proudly features over 25 producers and artisan processors from Île d’Orléans and the surrounding area, celebrating true, committed regional cuisine. 🌿

📍 Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans (Région de Québec)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

7. Biosphere commitment and green initiatives

Le Relais des Pins

Relais des Pins is moving forward on its path to sustainability: now recognized as Biosphere Committed, the business is taking concrete steps by reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and prioritizing renewable energy. Among its green initiatives: a digital app that enhances the visitor experience while reducing the site’s environmental footprint, and the option for guests to offset their carbon footprint by planting trees in the boreal forest. 🍁

📍 Sainte-Famille-de-l’Île-d’Orléans (Région de Québec)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

8. GreenStep Silver Certification in Sustainable Tourism

Ferme TournevenT

Ferme TournevenT has earned Silver Certification in sustainable tourism from GreenStep Solutions, recognition of its concrete commitment to more responsible tourism. The farm highlights organic products, offers eco-friendly spaces, and hosts activities that blend local discovery with sustainable practices, all with a focus on reducing environmental impact.

📍 Hébertville (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)
💻 Site web | Instagram | Facebook

These initiatives show that sustainability and great food truly can go hand in hand. By visiting these places, you’re supporting committed producers, helping showcase local terroir, and contributing to a more eco-friendly kind of tourism. 🍁

Blog

You might like these related articles 

Atelier _Famille_Cornet de sirop d'érable
Inspirations
The start of sugar season and spring break offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy winter while having fun and indulging in treats. From family outings and g...

En savoir plus

Table du temps des sucres de la cabane Le Relais des Pins
Inspirations
No need to go out to enjoy sugar season! Ready-to-heat meal kits, gourmet cheese platters, and sweet treats : here are the best ideas to savor the flavors of...

En savoir plus

Une table du temps des sucres de la cabane Aux Petits Plaisirs
Inspirations
Sugar season has arrived, and what better way to enjoy it than by indulging in delicious treats? From traditional dishes to new gourmet creations, discover t...

En savoir plus