Context
Our food system works at the expense of the suffering of our farmers, without their being given due consideration. Far too many food stores do not source products that are local, not to mention those produced from sustainable agriculture. To the point that the proximity link between producer and consumer is no longer there. Some food products cross countries and continents to end up on our plates. This is the observation made not so long ago in the Community of the Agglomeration of the Country of Aix.
The town lacked a place to buy local organic or sustainable agriculture products through direct sale, and there was significant demand from individuals and food professionals. At the same time, local producers, although they produce large quantities, had no place to sell together. This is why this market hall, in a place already frequented by consumers, seemed to be the ideal solution.
Project leaders
The Community of Agglomeration of the Country approached the Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture to launch the project, using the “Rururbal” program, proposed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF-EU) ). In collaboration, these two organizations were able to create a mixed semi-wholesale market, in the shape of an inside market hall, where local seasonal products, organic or from reasoned agriculture, are sold. These products are intended for individuals and professionals. This market hall, called "Terres de Provence", was created in 2010.
Project
Since 2010, the Pays d'Aix Urban Community has provided parking in the Les Pennes-Mirabeau shopping area from May to October each year. During this period, a covered market is set up under 825m2 of marquee and producers come to sell their products in sustainable or organic farming 3 days a week. All this happens in a short circuit since the products cover an average of 40km: from production to market stalls.
There are multiple objectives: bringing producers closer to consumers, supporting local agriculture and reducing the impact of agriculture on the environment. The Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture selects the participating producers according to their production method and controls the farms, to guarantee the quality and origin of the products.
This direct sale to consumers has many advantages:
- the producers offer activities to explain their agricultural practices and the particularities of the products,
- the use of single-use packaging is reduced with bulk sales or even by crate,
- the distance between the place of production and the market is displayed on each product and this distance is on average only 40km,
- these products cannot be found in supermarkets.
The results
The "Terres de Provence" hall has already proven itself. In 2018: 1,010 tonnes of products were sold to more than 115,000 visitors. The average basket was sold at € 38.15 for 17.53 kg of products. Some producers have been able to improve their economic situation, expand their production, or even create jobs on their farm. In addition, the number of exhibiting producers is increasing. In 2010 there were 20 producers selling produce under the "Terres de Provence" hall, against 35 in 2019.
The Little Extra
In addition to all the other benefits of the project, producers do not pay a "spot fee" to display and sell their products, which is attracting interest from new local producers. Thanks to this, the hall is filled and welcomes more people every year. In addition, the prices are advantageous: they are 20% lower than in supermarkets !!
Written by Jean-Loup Prézelin, Supecolidaire student - April 2020.
Last modification : 22 May 2020.
Pays d'Aix Urban Community
Since 2010, the Pays d'Aix Urban Community has provided parking in the Les Pennes-Mirabeau shopping area from May to October each year. During this period, a covered market is set up under 825m2 of marquee and producers come to sell their products in sustainable or organic farming 3 days a week. All this happens in a short circuit since the products cover an average of 40km: from production to market stalls.