Published on February 11, 2025
How to Choose Local Foods at the Grocery Store?
Choosing foods from Québec at the grocery store is much easier than you might think. First, because with 30,000 verified products, the selection is large and diverse enough to satisfy all Québec tastes and preferences. Second, because information that helps identify them is increasingly available in stores. And if there is one Québec-origin identifier you can rely on, it’s the yellow Aliments du Québec logo. Here are a few tips to make shopping for local products a breeze.
Building new habits
First, keep an eye out for the information that helps you confidently choose products made here in Quebec. And if there’s one identifier you can truly rely on, it’s the yellow Aliments du Québec logo. It guarantees that the product displaying it has been verified by a team of experts and meets the criteria of one of our four certification programs.
A bit of grocery-store gymnastics may be needed: the product flip! Pick up the item you’re considering and gently rotate your wrist to turn it around. This lets you check whether the yellow logo is on the back label, which is often the case. If you see it—bingo! You’ve got your answer.
Know your favourite brands—and discover new ones
Finding local products in stores might take a little more time at first, but you won’t have to repeat the process every time. Once you know which brands and products you love, choosing local becomes automatic. And once you start looking for the Aliments du Québec logos, you’ll quickly realize they’re everywhere—almost a revelation for new locavores.
By doing this exercise, you may notice the following:
- Local products are more diverse than you think. They’re not only gourmet or specialty items—they include everyday essentials.
- You’re probably already buying a lot of local products without even realizing it, so the shift isn’t as big as it seems.
- There are often great local alternatives to replace products from elsewhere.
Where to find the information
In the fruits and vegetables section
Retailers are required to display the origin of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in bulk, whether on a sign, label, or small poster.
On some fruits and vegetables, you may also find the Aliments du Québec logo on the packaging or directly on the product itself (for example, stickers on squash, watermelons, or Québec apples). There are other clues as well: Québec asparagus are identified with a yellow elastic band, while Québec strawberries are sold in the distinctive containers made by Les Fraîches du Québec.
On the products
Companies that have had their products verified can display the Aliments du Québec or Aliments préparés au Québec logo—or the organic versions—directly on their product packaging.
Check the front and back labels for this symbol. Whether it appears in yellow or in black and white, both versions mean the same thing: it’s proudly from here!
On in-store tools
In all major grocery chains, price tags often include the Aliments du Québec logo or place it right next to the price. You can also find posters and other informational materials featuring our provenance logos. Some stores even have special sections dedicated to Quebec foods—for example, Provigo has small island displays. Additionally, many joint promotions take place throughout the year between Aliments du Québec and the different chains. Keep an eye out for these campaigns!
Finally, Aliments du Québec complements the in-store identification done by retailers by providing additional promotional tools in over 200 stores. A promotional agent makes rounds across the province, visiting the main stores. The organization also makes these promotional tools available for purchase to member companies that wish to display them on their products.
And online?
Major grocery chains offer options to help you choose local products. Check out their dedicated local pages and use the “Aliments du Québec” filters:
You can also find the Aliments du Québec logos in most store flyers, which helps plan your local grocery shopping in advance.
Other tools to go further
The Union des producteurs agricoles has launched the Mangeons local plus que jamais movement, supported by an app of the same name. Using an interactive map, you can locate local producers.
In regional areas, you can rely on regional identifiers and take the opportunity to buy directly from local farmers.
Non-contractual photos; prices may vary.
