SAINT-EUSTACHE, Que. Myriam Claude's greenhouse is a vibrant oasis of exotic fruits in the midst of a Quebec winter. Spanning 8,750 square feet, the greenhouse is northwest of Montreal and features a thriving banana tree, alongside trees adorned with flowers, citrus fruits, and tiny pomegranates. Claude is optimistic about her family’s ability to harvest over 100,000 bananas, committing to a bold venture that diverges from the usual greenhouse produce.
Three years ago, Claude proposed to her father, Jacques Claude, that they experiment with growing bananas in their family-run nursery, Éco-Verdure. Initially skeptical, she sought to demonstrate the viability of her idea. “When I planted the banana trees, as soon as they produced bananas after six months... he understood that it worked, and that he had to focus on it,” she explains. Starting with just two banana trees, she managed to produce six bunches, totaling 1,500 bananas in only two months, prompting plans for expanding to 100 to 150 plants.
Despite bananas being one of the more economically priced fruits on the market, Myriam Claude believes in the unique flavor of their produce. A bunch of her bananas sells for $5, compared to traditionally imported bananas. The production of locally grown fruit took on new significance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the provincial government encouraged local food production in the face of supply chain disruptions. Yet, beyond localism, Claude emphasizes the intense demand for their flavorful bananas, noting that her family’s produce is richer and more satisfying than store-bought varieties, which she claims often taste bland or "like Styrofoam."
The Claude family aims to expand their offerings beyond just bananas. Plans are in place to cultivate a diverse array of fruits, including lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines, papayas, and pomegranates. Myriam is also conducting experiments with tropical fruits such as pineapple, passion fruit, guava, kumquat, figs, and even mango. In addition, they are working on producing unique banana varieties, including turquoise-blue, pink, and red bananas, alongside those that grow as large as squashes.
Myriam’s ambition doesn’t stop with these exotic fruits; she has a vision of introducing pawpaw, a lesser-known fruit native to the eastern United States and southern Ontario, planning to cultivate it in local fields. She describes pawpaw's flavor as a delightful fusion of banana, mango, and kiwi, which she believes will be a welcome addition.
The innovative farming approach of the Claude family reflects not only a commitment to local agriculture but also a drive to offer something distinctive and flavorful amidst the common fruit choices available to consumers today.
