ADELE : Link the Marseille territory with local farmers grocery stores

Fair, Local and Eco-responsible Distribution Association (ADELE)

The context

At the beginning of the 21st century, it has become difficult to ignore the perverse effects of our food system: repeated pollution caused by intensive monoculture, standardization of varieties resulting in the loss of taste and nutritional qualities, more and more food miles that generate greenhouse gases, impoverishment and decreasing number of farmers,  dehumanization of sales outlets …

The relocation of our food system, through short distribution circuits (AMAP), and the labeling of production methods (BIO agriculture), offer the "citizen"  consumer the possibility of orienting the food chain towards more equity and greater ecological responsibility. This is the logic behind the ADELE project. 

The project

During the first three years of its existence, the ADELE project consisted in gradually setting up in Marseille several local grocery stores with locally produced products, following the model created and tested by the Filière Paysanne association in Longchamp (The Filière Paysanne association was created in 2009 in Marseille by citizens looking for alternatives to the fresh fruit and vegetables that can be found in supermarkets; its mission is to promote a distribution network in short circuits, that is both fair and eco-responsible by working with all actors in the sector from producers to consumers).

This model is framed by a charter concerning the origin of products, how they are produced, relations with producers, economic transparency, consumer information and human resources management.

Created on July 20, 2012 in Marseille to distribute in the city food products coming directly from local, smallholder or artisanal farms. The purpose of the association is to:

• support local smallholders
• encourage responsible agricultural practices
• better inform us about the challenges of our food choices

Partners

ADELE works with many partners:

• Filière Paysanne: an independent association which acts for local agriculture and food.
• ADEAR 13: Association for the Development of Agricultural and Rural Employment in Bouches du Rhône.
• Pays’en ville : The Country in town: promotes "local farming" and seasonal produce that is respectful of man and the environment in the Pays d'Aix.
• APEAS: a place where human, educational, technical and documentary resources are concentrated. It is an interactive space, built collectively by local and regional players in the alternative and solidarity economy.
• B.A.balex Association: legal support for associations and structures in the Social and Solidarity Economy.
• AutoPartage Provence: Citiz car-sharing platform.

The Little Extra

A space in the Grocery store is reserved for providing information on the producers who supply the store as well as on agricultural and food issues that the association also intends to explain to the general public, especially children. Awareness-raising operations are offered to educational and entertainment structures in the neighborhood (such as screenings-debates, marches for the Climate or even events bringing together several events for all audiences, such as "Planet Day" at the National Theater of Marseille).

Written by Alice Deshons, LFC volunteer - December 2018.

Last modification : 30 Mar 2020.