To be born there, to visit it, and to live in it.

In the 1980s, Jean and Denise discovered the Côte-Nord for the first time. Jean landed a job at the Baie-Comeau factory. Dreamers, curious, and passionate, he decided to found his own fruit picking business, the Jardins Després. Originally from Montreal, they had a daughter, Jasmine. She spent her childhood in Pointe-Lebel and had to leave the region for Quebec City, then Montreal.

Several years later, Jasmine and her boyfriend Jerry visit Jean on the family land. With each visit, the couple discovers more of the Manicouagan. Sometimes in Pointe Lebel, sometimes in Pointe-des-Monts, passing through Baie-Comeau and Godbout.

Jerry, also a dreamer, curious, and passionate, increasingly considers the advantage of permanently living in the region. The sea, the proximity to nature, the warm personality of the locals, and the simplicity of daily life attract him. As the son of a Haitian restaurateur, he enjoys spending time working in the fields and picking berries. He loves cooking in the great outdoors.

Through discussions, the couple plans to move to Pointe-Lebel in 2020 to learn the workings of Jardins Després and eventually take over the family business. Jean's sudden passing pushes the couple to settle hastily in November 2019. Six months later, Jasmine discovers she is pregnant with her first child. It is amidst renovations that Jasmine and Jerry welcome little Jaylissa, who will grow up with the rhythm of the seasons in the fields of blueberries, raspberries, and sea buckthorns.

Jasmine, pregnant with little Jaylissa, in the blueberry field.

The couple works full-time in finance and spends their free time working on the land, renovating infrastructure, and building the business in a family atmosphere. Their vision, combined with their resourcefulness and perseverance, deepens over the months. They welcome tourists for berry picking in the summer. Their values reside in the authentic welcome they offer to visitors and in their desire to offer quality products. The importance of contributing to the region's dynamism is intrinsic to their way of life. Valuing the region's strengths too. It starts with people and the culture of healthy food. From the land to the table in a gesture that brings a community together.

Today, Jasmine awaits her second child, due in August. Jerry takes care of the land maintenance when he's not working. Building a family alongside a business is not without challenges. However, the happiness and pride they feel in welcoming visitors and seeing Jaylissa run in the fields make all the efforts worthwhile. Soon, she will be accompanied by her little sister or brother, and who knows, perhaps they will take over the business in turn, being dreamers, curious, and passionate.