A History of freshness

Déus Courchesne and Victor Larose lay the foundation for Groupe Courchesne Larose with the creation of Groupe Courchesne Larose. Located on rue Notre-Dame, is a showcase for Quebec producers.

Victor Larose passes away. Déus Courchesne becomes company president. Raoul Routhier purchases his initial shares in Courchesne Larose. Thanks to his qualities as a visionary and entrepreneur, he quickly becomes a key player for the company.

Courchesne Larose opens a booth at Marché Bonsecours.

Déus Courchesne transfers his shares. Even though the two founders are no longer part of the company, the name does not change.

The excellence of Courchesne Larose is recognized during World War II, and the company is selected by the governments of Canada and Quebec as the fruit and vegetable distributor for the armed forces.

Raoul Routhier is appointed president of Courchesne Larose.

Jean-Paul Routhier, the eldest son of Raoul Routhier, becomes vice-president and acquires his first shares.

Raoul Routhier passes away. Jean-Paul Routhier takes over from his father and a few months later, Louis-Charles Roussier partners with his brother.

Acquisition of a two-acre property on rue Bercy in Montréal.

The Routhier brothers acquire all of the company's shares. Ever since, Courchesne Larose has been exclusively owned by the Routhier family.

On the morning of May 14, the first train car filled with products arrives at the warehouse on rue Bercy. Covering a surface area of 76,000 sq. ft., these facilities enable the company to significantly improve its operating methods, lower its expenses, satisfy market need and continue to grow.

A 4,000 sq. ft. building extension completes the latest rue Bercy facilities.

The first clementines arrive. This product is to become very important for the company.

The company innovates by creating an IT Department.

Louis-Charles Routhier purchases the shares held by his brother, Jean-Paul.

Jacques Brazeau becomes president.

Antonio Birri becomes president.

A fourth generation of Routhiers joins the company with the arrival of Frédéric Monette, the son of Louise Routhier, who assumes an administrative position.

Alain Routhier becomes president. The creation of Bar Imex International specializing in the import and distribution of foreign products in Canada, marks a turning point in the company's history. Bar Imex later becomes Krops.

Creation of Aliments Bercy, headed by Michael Orsini, partner-shareholder. This division specializes in selling organic fruits and vegetables and processing conventional and organic fruits and vegetables.

Launch of Green Earth Produce Trading, a division that specializes in the sale and distribution of organic products in the United States.

Alexandre Monette, the second-born son of Louise Routhier, joins the purchasing and sales team.

Ian Routhier, the eldest son of Michel Routhier, joins the company and participates in the international operations of Groupe Courchesne Larose.

Louis-Charles Routhier, one of the Courchesne Larose pioneers, passes away at age 84.

The company moves to a new 116,000 sq. ft. Warehouse on boulevard des Sciences in East Montréal.

Groupe Courchesne Larose acquires 50% of American company, Dandrea Produce, located in Vineland, New Jersey. Francis James Routhier, the second-born son of Michel Routhier, joins Courchesne Larose International in an administrative position.

Creation of the Jus Loop subsidiary, which processes the ripe Courchesne Larose fruits and vegetables into cold-pressed juices.

The warehouse on boulevard des Sciences is expanded by 50,000 sq. ft. This addition makes it possible to install new packaging equipment and house the Jus Loop facilities.

Courchesne Larose celebrates 100 years of operations, making it one of the few 4th generation family businesses. The group acquires the company J.B. Laverdure, an importer-wholesaler founded in 1897.