JPdL goes local in another initiative that puts the environment first

JPdL, together with Tourism Montreal and CRÉ de Montréal have partnered with Les potagers des nues mains to supply employees with local, organic and seasonal produce.

For JPdL, the move is yet another sign of the organization’s commitment to keeping the planet healthy. “Supporting local farmers means connecting to what grows in our own backyard,” says Derek MacMillan, who is coordinating the project on behalf of JPdL. “If we all stay local, the impact is global.”

An independent farm based in Sutton, Québec, Les potagers des nues mains prides itself on local, seasonal and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, as well as on promoting unique, healthy produce that you won’t find in supermarkets. Between June and October, JPdL employees and their families can look forward to baskets brimming with such fresh produce. Baskets will be shipped bi-weekly to a central location for pick-up and distribution.

As one of Canada’s top conference and event planning partners, JPdL is no stranger to leadership, and its commitment to the environment goes well beyond reacting to industry trends. The company is one of 220 organizations participating in the “Montréal Community Sustainable Development Plan 2010-2015”. The program includes 14 initiatives, such as adopting a waste management system, reducing automobile dependency, and holding eco-responsible events.

This last goal is a breeze for JPdL, who has been organizing green conferences and events for years. In addition to following rigorous sustainable practices on behalf of its clients, such as supporting local suppliers, going completely paperless and carbon offsetting programs, JPdL is just as green on the home front. The office is equipped with recycling and composting facilities, fair trade coffee, and even a Bixi membership, through which employees use the bicycle rental network stretching across Montreal’s urban centre.

For Derek and the entire JPdL team, caring about the environment is a no-brainer. “We cannot just sit on the sidelines and say that this isn’t our business. It’s everyone’s business.”

For more information on JPdL’s green initiatives, click here.