It was while delivering food baskets to poor families in his twenties that Jonathan Rodrigue had his vision for the future of building a company that fights against food waste.
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“They were surplus [dont] companies were going to get rid of it, says the president and CEO of Still Good. On the one hand, we were feeding families in need and on the other, I saw immeasurable quantities going to waste. It didn’t work in my head.
“My quest for what I do today started there.”
While food waste took time to become part of societal and political conversations, Rodrigue continually spoke about it to those around him.
“Twenty years ago, people weren’t talking about the circular economy or waste. They were not aware, but there was no solution.
“I decided to develop a model by creating a word: ecovalorization.”
Transform a loss into income
In partnership with a company, Still Good collects all types of food products, such as brewing grains or loaves of bread, in its factory. According to an established plan, the material is transformed into a new form before being returned to the company. The latter can use it again in the preparation of their meals or in the resale of a new product.
“We arrive with a turnkey concept. It costs businesses money to get rid of their food in addition to the labor that was needed to produce it, explains Jonathan Rodrigue.
“With our research and development team, we find a solution for them. We release a product that they can put back on the market. We help them transform a cost into income.”
The entrepreneur’s baby is growing into a child who is strong on his feet. After having saved 1000 tonnes of food in 2023, Still Good is aiming for a plateau of 5000 tonnes for 2024.
“We are a catalyst that helps businesses propel themselves into the circular economy and […] to achieve their objectives of sustainability, reduction of their carbon footprint and food waste.”
Head full of projects
When we talk to him about the future of his company, we sense a certain excitement in the boss of the company, which is a well-kept secret on Le Plateau-Mont-Royal.
“We have just expanded our factory to be able to swallow 5,000 tonnes, but the next step is to be able to accept 50,000 if a company asked me,” wishes Rodrigue, who has clients in Quebec, Canada and the United States. -United.
“I am already thinking about my next factory where I could process between 100 and 150,000 tonnes per year. I think about it all the time.”
The other project on his mind is to build regional units throughout North America.
“Nearly 58% of everything we produce is wasted. Our model can be implemented anywhere in the world to reduce this volume. It’s what gets me up in the morning.
“One day, I would like us to be able to save millions of tonnes and say that it is a proudly Quebec company that is behind it.”