This Montreal-area store sells expired food for cheap
It looks like any other store — but it’s not. Many of the products at Liquidation Marie have passed their posted best before date.
"Customers are willing to save money and buy some expired things,” says store owner Marie-Eve Breton.
Breton spent the day stocking the shelves of her fourth location.
She sources surplus from other stores, and then sells it at reduced prices. Some of the offerings like the meats are nearing expiry but not there yet. Many of the cheeses are also discounted.
Customers' reactions are mixed.
“We have the kind that’s very shocked, and we have the kind [that says] ‘Oh Marie, it’s not a big deal.’”
One of the best deals is a 12-pack of energy bars with a price tag of just $5. In other stores, the same product can cost up to $27. The difference is that at Liquidation Marie, the bars passed their best before date in August.
Not everyone is happy about the savings though. Breton says some people have even called Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to complain.
But a ministry spokesperson told CTV News many foods can be safely consumed after their best before dates if they show no obvious signs of spoilage.
Sylvain Charlebois, director at the Dalhousie University Agri-food Analytics Lab, says more people are looking for bargains nowadays.
“The food rescuing economy is growing through these stores and my guess is traffic is increasing due to higher food prices,” he adds.
It's up to shoppers to decide whether they want to savour the savings when the Saint-Jérôme store officially opens Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
Satellite images show damage from Israeli attack at 2 secretive Iranian military bases
An Israeli attack on Iran damaged facilities at a secretive military base southeast of the Iranian capital that experts in the past have linked to Tehran's onetime nuclear weapons program.
Gold prices have surged in 2024. Here’s how to get in on the gold rush
Not all that glitters is gold, but the value of the precious metal has been surging this year.
Shohei Ohtani partially dislocates left shoulder during World Series Game 2, status TBD
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani partially dislocated his left shoulder during the seventh inning of Saturday's Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees when he tried to steal second base.
With Indian diplomats expelled, RCMP commissioner says 'significant reduction' in public safety threat
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says there has been a “significant reduction”to the public safety threat since six Indian diplomatic officials were expelled from the country last week.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Canadian cities struggling to get past 'Whac-A-Mole' solution to homeless encampments
Canadian cities are struggling with the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness and trying various approaches to stop people from sleeping rough, often with mixed results.
Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
Transportation minister looks for provinces, territories to collaborate on car thefts
The federal transportation minister says national co-operation is needed to close loopholes criminals can use to re-sell stolen cars.