Context
In large French cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, residents are increasingly confronted with the feeling of loneliness and this does not concern only the elderly. 70% of city dwellers admit to having suffered loneliness. The Petites Cantines food project was created to help people meet up with other local residents.
Project
Les Petites Cantines is a district canteen network that is open to everyone. The objective is to develop social links, both intergenerational and multicultural, and to promote sustainable food through the preparation of a meal. This initiative gives residents and employees in the neighborhood the opportunity to eat together. Financially people contribute as they wish and as they can to meals.
"At Petites Cantines, the price is not fixed, so that everyone can give what he wants and what he can. We simply indicate to our guests an average price which allows us to cover just the supplies, the employees’ salary, the rents and the expenses. We also ask for a membership to our association, also at a free price and valid one year in the canteens of the territory concerned."
"Guests who are welcome to cook can come as early as 9:30 in the morning or from 5:30 pm in the evening, to exchange around a coffee or other, then start to cook, doing what they want to do: the starter, the dish, the dessert, or a little bit of everything! Guests can also come just for lunch or dinner. "
Some meals are organized around a theme: a country, a product, an zero-waste initiative, etc.
Out of the four canteens open, three are located in Lyon and one in Lille. Projects are underway in Strasbourg and Annecy.
The objectives of the networks are to:
- Bring together partners, communities and inhabitants around a shared goal
- Create long-term jobs, enhance local social links, foster local synergies
Project leaders
Diane Dupré La Tour and Etienne Thouvenot set up the Petites Cantines network. The inhabitants cook for each other. There is a housekeeper, an employee of the association, whose job is to welcome the inhabitants and make sure that they feel good, to ensure the respect of the rules of hygiene and to manage the supplies.
The Little Extra
At Petites Cantines, everyone is welcome. Whether you are a manager, a job seeker, a young school drop-out, a pensioner, a student ... People from all walks of life come together to cook and enjoy good meals.
Written by Alice Deshons, LFC volunteer - March 2019
Last modification : 30 Mar 2020.
Les Petites Cantines
Network of neighborhood canteens, open to all, whose objective is to develop social links and promote sustainable food.