GUELPH, ON, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - The Co-operators announced today that Coop Le Grenier Boréal of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, and Coopérative La Mauve of St-Vallier, have each won $25,000 as the Quebec Region winners of The National Co-op Challenge.

Coop Le Grenier Boréal is a sustainable farming co-operative that provides production, harvesting, processing and marketing of local agricultural and agroforestry products and services. It seeks to make a positive contribution to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the communities in the Minganie region in eastern Quebec. It will use the prize money to create better structures such as forest trails to aid in welcoming the public to their co-op and to the region.

Coopérative La Mauve offers a link between community residents and local organic food producers in a variety of ways: community supported agriculture (CSA) baskets containing vegetables, meats, cheeses and other local products delivered directly to consumers; a grocery store and butcher shop; catering; workshops; and seasonal events. Its aim is to advance sustainable development by strengthening the link between citizens and local food producers. The prize money will be used to enlarge its CSA basket drop point network and acquire an online transaction platform.

"Every co-op in this contest makes an impact on its local community, providing needed goods and services and contributing to the overall strength and resilience of the community," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "The contest helped promote these wonderful enterprises, which operate in a wide range of sectors, from urban farming and culture to health care and alternative energy -- a true representation of the great diversity of the Canadian co-op sector."

Sixteen small and emerging co-ops from across Canada were selected as finalists, four from each of four regions. Each created a video to raise awareness of their enterprise while also educating the public about the co-operative business model. The Canadian public was able to vote for their favourite co-op through the contest website from September 3 to October 1, with the two co-ops in each region garnering the most votes declared the winners. 

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators