Canadian retailer METRO Inc. has opened a new shared kitchen in Joliette, marking the first site in the Lanaudière region as part of its growing community food network.
The facility, launched on April 27, 2026, is operated by Carrefour jeunesse emploi de D’Autray–Joliette and developed in partnership with Food Banks of Quebec. It becomes the sixth kitchen in METRO’s Shared Kitchens programme.
The new site is designed to support local non-profit organisations by providing access to professional kitchen infrastructure, training, and shared resources. The goal is to improve food security, strengthen community programmes, and expand access to food-related skills.
METRO said it is investing nearly $3 million across the first two phases of the Shared Kitchens initiative, including $100,000 allocated to the Joliette project. The company confirmed a third phase is already underway, with additional beneficiaries expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The shared kitchen model allows organisations to pool facilities, equipment, and personnel. This approach is intended to remove infrastructure barriers that often limit the scale of community food programmes.
For the retailer, the initiative reflects a broader push to extend its role beyond traditional store operations into local food systems. While not directly tied to retail sales, the programme strengthens connections between food distribution, skills development, and community access.
METRO operates more than 1,000 food stores across Québec and Ontario under banners including Metro, Super C, and Food Basics, alongside a large pharmacy network. The company positions the Shared Kitchens network as part of its wider commitment to food accessibility and community support.
The next phase of the programme will determine how quickly the model expands across additional regions in Canada, as demand for local food infrastructure continues to grow.
