A Sutton Initiative

The Cartes Proximité initiative was introduced to the community through the Sutton Saturday Market in 2025. With help from the Town of Sutton, the Legion, and the CAB, 35 prepaid cards were distributed to local individuals experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to a lack of consistent access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food. It can mean skipping meals, reducing portion sizes, or prioritizing children’s needs over one’s own. In Canada, one in five people experience food insecurity, and this number continues to rise.

The initiative provides prepaid cards that can be used to purchase fresh, locally produced foods such as meat, vegetables, fruits, honey, and eggs. By enabling participants to shop directly from local producers, the program supports both community members in need and regional agriculture. The Sutton Saturday Market was the first in the region to offer this Cartes Proximité program. It is now expanding to include Lac-Brome, Frelighsburg, St-Étienne-de-Bolton, Granby and beyond.

Beyond improving access to healthy food, the initiative fosters social connection by encouraging participants to engage with vendors and the broader community in a welcoming market environment. It helps reduce isolation while strengthening ties between consumers and producers. At the same time, the program contributes to a circular local economy—an essential component of building more sustainable food systems.

Thanks to the generosity of community members, the program will expand this year. Individuals can support the initiative by purchasing a solidarity card alongside a donation. These contributions help fund additional cards for those in need while also reducing stigma. Supporters interested in participating can contact sutton.foodsecure@gmail.com. We are also pleased to share that Carrefour Solidaire will issue tax receipts for donations over $500. Donations help ensure the program’s long-term sustainability, and purchased cards can be redeemed at participating vendors at the Sutton Saturday Market from July through October.

Dana Cooper