Canadian retail group Metro has announced its role as a major sponsor of Canada’s first Grand défi Pierre Lavoie (GDPL), a healthy eating roadshow organized by non-profit organization Go le Grand défi, which from November to June aims to call on every elementary school in Quebec’s 17 administrative regions to encourage children to be more active and eat better.
Through its role as major sponsor, Metro has associated itself with the Eat Better drive of the GDPL – the largest health event ever organized in Quebec – according to a company statement.
“It’s only natural that we be involved in such a cause,” explained Metro president and CEO Eric R. La Flèche. “The Be active, Eat better theme is perfectly aligned with our values and our mission to offer Quebecers healthy food choices, particularly children aged six to 12.”
Metro’s province-wide retail network will help raise the cause’s profile. Throughout the month of May, Metro’s 222 stores in Quebec will invite their clients to purchase, for only
C$1, a lunchbox that children can enjoy putting together like a puzzle.
Coupons, which can be applied to the in-store purchase of various foods that make up a healthy lunch, will also be handed out. All profits from the sale of lunchboxes will benefit the GDPL.
In addition, Metro will be in attendance on 12-14 June to refuel cyclists with healthy foods on a 1,000km cycle marathon, while the Irresistibles squad will entertain the crowd during six rallies organized at various points in the 40-hour tour.
The event will conclude with a major rally involving 5,000 students and 1,000 monitors and which will focus on the theme Get up and move! Metro will host an enormous picnic at the Olympic Stadium, as well as provide evening snacks and breakfast the next day.
