Our Foundation
A non-profit association founded in April 1982 by seven produce growers and three consultants, PRISME has become, after over 20 years, an expertise and service centre available to all of Quebec’s fruit and vegetable growers. In order to best respond to the needs of growers and new clients, as well as to optimize the human and financial resources related to services and projects, PRISME created three sister organizations to form the Consortium.
Our Mission: Healthy Production in a Healthy Environment
During the 60’s and 70’s, consumer groups and biologists rightly emphasized the dangers of massive use of chemicals in agriculture. PRISME was created to rationalize the use of pesticides while ensuring the protection of produce. The R&D products and services initiated by PRISME have permitted a 35% to 80% reduction in pesticides for several crops, while also improving the quality of crops and the preservation of the environment. These activities have twice merited PRISME an agri-environment excellence award:
- Phytoprotection award 1993, from the Study group on resource conservation;
- Environmental award 1994, from Quebec’s Ministry of Environment and Wildlife.
The Priority is Quality, from Seeds to the Grocers
By developing pest detection, food safety and traceability services, PRISME promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among its members while protecting consumer health. Controlling all sources of germ contamination from the environment and food, coupled with the judicious use of fertilizers and chemicals, are the best guarantee of quality production, free from pesticide residues and germ pathogens.
Thousands of Acres Later…
In 2001, our professionals and employees were engaged in more than 43 projects and services. 58 producers and more than a dozen of the main fruits and vegetables grown in Quebec have benefited from pest detection on some 8,500 acres. This represents, among others, 60% of the onions, 35% of the lettuce and 36% of the celery grown in Quebec, as well as 46% of the surface area dedicated to cruciferae (broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) in the Montérégie region. More than 60% of the vegetables produced by growers using our services are exported to the US. In addition, are hundreds of acres of strawberries, raspberries, sweet corn and other products which are self-picked or sold from the farm and public markets.
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