Official press release from the OLO Foundation
Montreal, Monday, September 29, 2025 - The Olo Foundation is proud to announce a new partnership with the Producteurs de pommes du Québec (PPQ) and the Association des emballeurs de pommes du Québec (AEPQ) to enhance its food offering as part of the Olo follow-up program. Pommes Qualité Québec" will now be the 5th food in the postnatal offer, joining bread, meat purées and baby cereals, as well as tofu. The two apple-growing groups join the Quebec government, which remains the leading financial partner for the addition of apples to Olo's postnatal offer in this launch year.
"The arrival of the apple in the Olo family is anything but insignificant: it means we can now cover all food groups in our Olo follow-ups. It's a huge step forward, and a testament to our determination to develop promising partnerships with local companies. This collaboration feeds our ambition to break the cycle of food and social inequalities by developing a relevant, accessible and sustainable food offer for the most vulnerable families," says Élise Boyer, Executive Director of the Olo Foundation.
This partnership marks the second phase in the roll-out of a postnatal food offer, with the Olo Foundation having announced in April 2024 that it was enhancing its food program with new
coupons redeemable at retailers. Starting today, families will be able to receive a coupon for Quebec apples. Its nutritional value, versatility, year-round availability and local provenance make it a fruit of choice for inclusion in the Olo follow-up program.
"It's a great pleasure for us to join the big Olo family. We deeply believe that every Quebec family deserves access to healthy, nutritious food. We are proud to join forces with the Olo Foundation to support vulnerable families and help build a healthy future, one apple at a time", says Éric Rochon, President of Producteurs de pommes du Québec.
An announcement welcomed by many partners
Meeting later this afternoon at the Coteau Rougemont vineyard and cider house, in the presence of representatives from CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, local community organizations and partners from the food and philanthropic sectors, Audrey Bogemans, Member of the National Assembly for D'Iberville, and Chantal Rouleau, Minister responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action, will underscore the importance of this initiative and of Olo's on-the-ground follow-up action.
"The arrival of Quebec apples in Olo's postnatal offering is a concrete step forward for our young families. By adding a fresh, local and nutritious first fruit, the Foundation is strengthening its essential role in a child's first 1,000 days. Our government is proud to support this type of initiative," emphasized Minister Chantal Rouleau, in a video presented to the guests.
About the Olo Foundation
The mission of the Olo Foundation is to give families an equal chance of bringing healthy babies into the world and acquiring healthy eating habits early in life. It takes action in the first 1,000 days, from pregnancy to the child's 2nd birthday, a crucial period for his or her development. Through Olo follow-up in the health and social services network, and in collaboration with community and aboriginal organizations, the Olo Foundation acts on three key levers of nutrition: access to food, nutritional knowledge and mobilization skills. Since 1991, more than 250,000 babies have been born healthier in Quebec thanks to Olo, helping to mitigate the effects of food-related social inequalities. For the second year running, Olo has received the "Aliments du Québec au menu" award for its promotion of local food products.
Visit the website to find out more or to make a donation.
Apple production in Quebec
Quebec is home to 416 apple growers, spread across several regions, who contribute to an annual production of over 235 million pounds, or 5.6 million bins. For the 2023-2024 season, this production generated nearly $80 million in farm revenues, supporting the local economy and the vitality of agricultural regions.
Sources: Olo Foundation, Institut de la statistique du Québec, Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec
Pictured left to right:
Brunau Côté, President, Association des emballeurs de pommes du Québec; Sébastien Morissette, Vice-President, Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec; Audrey Bogemans, MNA for Iberville; Elise Boyer, Executive Director, Fondation Olo; Isabelle Robert, co-owner of Vignoble Coteau Rougemont (host); Hélène Chabot, Head of Integrated Perinatal and Early Childhood Services, CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre; Jérôme-Antoine Brunelle, General Manager, Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec.