Santropol Roulant, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The Santropol Roulant is a non-profit organization in the Plateau neighborhood of Montreal with a mandate to provide meals-on-wheels for individuals living with a loss of autonomy, seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Founded in 1995 with entrepreneurial spirit and funding by Youth Service Canada, the organization brings people together across generations and cultures through its innovative service, intergenerational activities and volunteer programs. Twelve staff and a large team of volunteers prepare over 90 meals per day, five days a week from food either grown in a Santropol Roulant rooftop garden or sourced locally and then deliver them to clients. Where possible, delivery is by foot or by bicycle.

Today, the Santropol Roulant is proving that investments in sustainability can have strong payoffs – socially, environmentally, and financially. Since developing a vision and action plan for sustainability, Santropol Roulant’s kitchen saved close to $3000 in 2007, due in large part to partnerships with local grocers and wholesalers to recover surplus foods.

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