Firm specializing in biofood

The road to concrete solutions

Our analytical and strategic council expertise enables our customers in the biofood sector to:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of their challenges.
  • Strengthen their strategic positioning.
  • Develop customized strategies.
  • Implement effective and profitable actions.
  • Achieve their objectives.
Find out about our services
  • More than 15 years
    of experience
  • Personalized, results-oriented support
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Who are we?

We are a boutique analysis and strategy firm specializing in the biofood industry.

We are distinguished by our expert and creative team:

  • Qualified professionals who are pragmatic, efficient and results-oriented.
  • People who are curious and creative, open-minded, and good listeners, and who enjoy teaming up with our customers.

Maintain a firm commitment to our customers, in Quebec, Canada and around the world:

  • High-quality analysis.
  • The right time, without compromise.
  • A participative, motivating, and agreeable customer approach.
  • Measurable, concrete results.
  • Personalized deliverables.
  • Discretion at all times.
Our Services

Our services: state-of-the-art, personalized biofood analysis, strategies, and advice

We work with associations and companies in the biofood industry, financial institutions, R&D organizations, and the public and parapublic sectors.

Tell us about your project
  • Financial and feasibility analyses.
  • Economic studies.
  • Market analysis and expertise in marketing agreements
  • Project coordination and management.
  • Strategic planning, advice, and coaching.
  • Business environment and competitiveness analysis.

© Quebec Milk Producers

  • Agricultural Development Plan (PDZA)
  • Surveys and consultations
  • Dashboard development
  • Development of specifications and quality tools

The Team

A multidisciplinary team working together to help you achieve your goals!

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Jean-François Forest, Agronome, M.Sc.

He is co-founder of Forest Lavoie Conseil.

Mr. Forest has been active in the agricultural and food sector for 35 years. Since then, he has developed solid expertise in strategic council for organizations and sectors, economic studies, sectoral competitiveness analysis and project management.

Mr. Forest worked as a research associate in the Department of Agroeconomics at McGill University. He has held the position of agro-economist with the Direction de la recherche et des politiques agricoles of the Union des producteurs agricoles and director of economic affairs at Éleveurs de volailles du Québec. He was also director of the agri-food sector at ÉcoRessources Consultants.

Jean-François Forest is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 3745, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec) and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from McGill University. Within the team, he is recognized for his good listening skills, thoughtful approach, determination and kindness.

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Gilbert Lavoie, Agronomist, M.Sc.

He is co-founder of Forest Lavoie Conseil.

Mr. Lavoie has over 35 years’ experience in the agri-food sector.

Since 2008, as an economist with Forest Lavoie Conseil, he has specialized in economic and financial analyses, analysis, and dissemination of market information, strategic planning, coaching, stakeholder consultation and professional expertise.

Mr. Lavoie’s previous positions include Chief Economist and Director of the Direction des recherches et politiques agricoles at the Union des producteurs agricoles, Director of Economic Affairs and Market Development at the Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec, Senior Economist at the Fédération des producteurs de volailles du Québec and Futures Market Analyst at the Producteurs de grains du Québec.

M. Lavoie graduated from McGill University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in agricultural economics. He took a series of doctoral-level courses in the Department of Management at the University of Quebec at Montreal. He also completed a seminar in agribusiness at Harvard Business School. M. Lavoie s a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 4375, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).

Within the team, he is recognized for his positivism, integrity, rigor, political acumen, and conciliatory skills. His motto « Set the record straight! »

Consulting Analyst

Claude Hamel,
Agronomist, M.Sc.

A Project Manager at Forest Lavoie Conseil since 2012, Ms. Claude Hamel works on a variety of mandates involving sector analysis, consensus-building and the implementation/coordination of action or strategic plans. She makes a special contribution to the socio-economic dimension of projects. She enjoys contributing to projects that promote Quebec’s products, territory, and agri-food sector. Within the team, she is recognized for her organizational skills, dedication, and creativity.

Before joining the team, Ms. Hamel held the position of Project Officer at the Fédération des producteurs maraîchers du Québec and collaborated on various agronomic and anthropological projects and mandates in Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Claude Hamel holds a customized master’s degree and a DESS in integrated rural development, as well as a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Université Laval. Mme Hamel is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (membre No 7491, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec). .

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Nicolas Martel-Bouchard, Agronomist

After starting out as an analyst at Forest Lavoie Conseil in 2019, Nicolas is now a Project Manager. In this role, he collaborates and supports his colleagues in carrying out a wide variety of mandates in the bio-food sector.

Graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Nicolas is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 11027, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).
Nicolas is particularly interested in issues of sustainable agriculture, circular economy, market developments and agri-food trends.

A native of Montreal, Nicolas co-founded and managed for 3 years a start-up in the field of sustainable agriculture in controlled environments (greenhouses, indoor, urban, etc.), which is still thriving today, before retiring to concentrate on other projects.

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Margot Potoczek, Agronomist

Margot joined the Forest Lavoie Conseil team in January 2022. Previously, she worked for 7 years in quality, development and environment in the food processing sector. She holds a French master’s degree in agri-food with a specialization in dairy science and processing and has also completed a short program in sustainable development to diversify her skill set. Margot is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 11664, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).

In the various mandates she is given, she applies her work methodology from the food processing sector across the board and considers the sustainable development approach. Within the team, she is recognized for her positivism, curiosity, versatility, and strong sense of responsibility.

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Philippe Leriche, Agronome, M.Sc.

Philippe joined the Forest Lavoie Conseil team in July 2023 after working with the team during his studies. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agro-economics at Université Laval, the latter on the economic impacts of different agri-environmental practices on a watershed in Quebec. He was a research assistant at Université Laval under the direction of Lota Dabio Tamini for 3 years. Philippe is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 11925, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).

He contributes to Forest Lavoie Conseil’s expertise through his ability to analyze and adapt to disputes. Within the team, he is recognized for his precision and meticulousness.

Consulting Analyst and Partner

Hélène Méthot, Agronome, M.Sc.

Hélène is an agronomist, holds a master’s degree from Université Laval, and has extensive experience in organizational management. She is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists.(member No 6045, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).

She is also an entrepreneur, having launched a non-profit social economy organization providing community veterinary services.

Consulting Analyst

Sarah-Maude Larose, Agronome, B.Sc.

Sarah-Maude is a dynamic professional with a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Quebec agri-food market. A 2019 graduate in agricultural economics from Université Laval, she held a key position with the Quebec Potato Producers for five years. By coordinating various committees and ensuring the implementation of collective initiatives, she contributed to the organization’s North American reach and the implementation of strategies and actions aimed at the sustainability of member businesses.

She is involved in the Quebec agri-food sector, putting her rigor and analytical mind to good use in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Sarah-Maude is a member of the Quebec Order of Agronomists (member No 12366, Protection du public | Ordre des agronomes du Québec).

Our Staff

In carrying out its mandates, Forest Lavoie Conseil can count on the support of the following expert collaborators, depending on the nature of the analyses entrusted to it:

Groupe Vision Gestion

Lien internet : Experts en stratégie financière agricole │ Groupe Vision Gestion

Peter Goldsmith

Peter Goldsmith is Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois, Interim Director of the Food and Agribusiness Management Program (FAM) and Executive Editor of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. (IFAMR).

Sokhna Sarre

Sokhna holds a French master’s degree. She completed her research project at Université Laval, where she contributed to the economic and environmental analysis of the dairy sector in Quebec. Curious and committed, she rigorously dedicates herself to projects analyzing and supporting the agri-food sector, working towards sustainable and resilient agriculture.

Lota D. Tamini

Coming soon

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