Access to healthy and sustainable food for all, as well as Quebec’s food autonomy, are collective priorities. However, the diversity of actors involved in territorial food systems (TFS) makes better coordination of territorial and sectoral actions essential. Forum SAT addresses this need by creating spaces for dialogue, strengthening collaborations, and promoting the recognition of TFS at the national level.
Launched in 2021, Forum SAT is a key gathering space for stakeholders committed to the development of TFS across Quebec. It brings together territorial governance bodies, national food networks, research centers, support organizations, and a diverse group of individuals who share the same vision.
The Forum SAT vision is to have a province where territorial food systems are resilient, equitable, and accessible. To achieve this, we strive to:
Since its first major gathering in November 2022, which brought together nearly 350 participants in Victoriaville, the Forum SAT has continued to amplify collective efforts to structure and sustain TFS in Quebec.
The Forum SAT 2025, the second edition of the national event, welcomed 400 participants in Saint-Hyacinthe on February 25-26, 2025. This event deepened intersectoral and interregional dialogue among stakeholders from all 17 regions of the province, while converging on common priorities and strategies for the future of TFS in Quebec.
In 2025, with the renewed support of the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, we continue to implement our new governance structure and prepare our first strategic plan, which will allow us to advance our mission of fostering coordination within Quebec’s territorial food systems.
As a member, you join a committed community working towards the development of territorial food systems in Quebec. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in collective discussions and help shape the direction of the initiative.
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On February 25-26, 2025, 400 actors from territorial food systems across Québec gathered in Saint-Hyacinthe to exchange ideas, collaborate, and define common priorities. Explore the key highlights and lessons learned in our event report.
In November 2024, the Forum SAT team submitted a brief to Quebec’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) as part of the update to the 2025–2035 biofood Policy.
This brief, prepared in collaboration with the members of the Forum SAT advisory committee, reflects the perspectives and aspirations of stakeholders involved in territorial food systems (TFS) across Quebec. It highlights the importance of strengthening TFS to support a transition toward more resilient, equitable, and ecological models, aligned with the unique characteristics of regions and local communities.
We advocate for collaborative governance, increased support for initiatives rooted in territories, and a stronger integration of social and environmental considerations into biofood policies.
This collective effort, enriched by the expertise of our partners, aims to contribute to the development of an ambitious and engaging biofood policy that fosters a more sustainable and nourishing Quebec. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation of this brief. (Only available in French)
The event report, produced after the first edition of the forum, provides a summary of the discussions, key learnings, and commitments that emerged at the event. The report reflects the mobilization and collaboration around territorial food systems, laying the foundation for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for our food systems.
Explore the report to learn more about the collective commitments and proposed action pathways from this landmark event.
At the first Forum SAT event in November 2022, held in Victoriaville and online, a Common Declaration was drafted by the participants. This document expresses a shared vision and ambitious directions to strengthen TFS across Quebec. It highlights their key role in community health and the socio-ecological transition, while proposing concrete actions to support their development.
A territorial food system (TFS) is an interconnected network of actors and activities related to food production, processing, distribution, consumption, waste management, and food transportation within a given territory.
TFSs rely on collaborative governance, where territorial actors work together to strengthen food autonomy and ensure access to healthy and sustainable food for all, while accelerating the social and ecological transition.
A territorial approach
TFSs are deeply rooted in their local, supralocal, or regional contexts. They foster dynamic connections across different territorial scales, encouraging cooperation between food, social, and economic stakeholders to break down silos and build coordinated actions.
A systems approach
TFSs integrate all aspects of the food system, from production to consumption, including waste management and transportation. They also involve key structuring actors—such as municipalities, the food industry, and public institutions—in a spirit of consultation and co-construction.
A socio-ecological transition approach
In response to climate challenges and the limitations of the dominant agro-industrial system, TFSs aim to build community resilience by balancing social responsibility and sustainable development. While adapting to local realities, they share a common goal: ensuring food sovereignty and social justice.
TFSs are territorially anchored and built on collaborative governance. Their objectives and priorities naturally vary depending on local realities and community needs. However, they share common ambitions that guide their actions across Quebec:
The Forum SAT team is pleased to invite you to the second national event of the initiative, which will take place on February 25-26, 2025, at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Center.
This webinar aimed to identify takeaways from food projects that necessitated the involvement of municipalities or RMCs. What are the opportunities and obstacles involved in mobilising town / city stakeholders? Vivre en ville first shared insights from their mandates and communities of practice, ahead of a panel of municipal representatives from 3 Quebec regions. In French.
TO WATCH THE RECORDING, IT'S HERE
This webinar invited us to examine the practice of organisations pooling food transports. Our partners at Collectif Récolte started the event by sharing insights about its opportunities and pitfalls. Representatives from four regions (Côte-nord, Québec City region, Montérégie-W and Montreal) then compared their experience rolling out such projects. In French.
TO WATCH THE RECORDING, IT'S HERE
Ahead of the first edition of the Forum SAT, a regional tour was conducted from June to October 2022, allowing the initiative’s team to meet with stakeholders from all 17 regions of Quebec.
Whether through workshops held in person or virtually, or by referring to documents produced during recent consultations with regional and local organizations, the Forum SAT gathered the needs, challenges, and successes of territorial food systems (TFS) in Quebec’s administrative regions. In collaboration with regional stakeholders, posters representing the TFS of each region were created to provide an overview during the national event in November 2022.
Thereafter, in order to deepen and update the information featured on the posters, the Forum SAT team worked with its regional partners to develop ten-page summaries. These summaries provide detailed insights 1by sector (production, processing, distribution, consumption, waste management, governance, as well as a cross-cutting section), highlighting the strengths and challenges of TFS. The content of these summaries is based on the expertise of local stakeholders and also draws from documentation related to TFS and its sectors. The drafting of these summaries spans from spring 2023 to spring 2025 (still ongoing).
The regional summaries were written in French, except for the summaries for Nord-du-Québec – Eeyou Istchee and Nord-du-Québec – Nunavik, which are also available in English.
The Forum SAT approach is financially supported by the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation.
1431 rue Fullum, Suite 209, Montréal, QC H2K 0B5
Florence Roy-Allard, co-coordinator
florence@forumsat.org
Laurence Deschamps-Léger, co-coordinator
laurence@forumsat.org
Gabrielle Payette-Bédard, responsible for regional mobilization
gabrielle@forumsat.org
