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Loc’Halle Bio: a cooperative of organic and local producers present at the wholesale market in Bordeaux

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Loc'Halle bio

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Context

Loc'Halle Bio was born in 2012 from a shared observation: the direction of the Market of National Interest (MIN) of Bordeaux and the Urban Community of Bordeaux (CUB) noted the absence of local products in the fruit and vegetable hall. In order to integrate a local offer and create a link between the rural and the urban, an opportunity study was launched by the Aquitaine Initiative Factory  with the help of the Association of Territories and Social Innovation.

This study led to the creation of Loc’Halle Bio, a marketing platform allowing local farmers to sell their products in bulk and to access the MIN. They thus diversify their outlets and reach a wider audience.

In addition, in terms of governance, the choice was made to create a Cooperative Company of Collective Interest (SCIC), a company which associates salaried actors, beneficiary actors and contributors.

Project

Loc’Halle Bio is a cooperative of the social and solidarity economy, bringing together organic fruit and vegetable producers all located less than 150 km from Bordeaux. By setting up in the wholesale market in Bordeaux (MIN of Bordeaux-Brienne) - where most of the fruit and vegetables consumed in the metropolitan area transit - Loc’Halle Bio has chosen proximity. Its customers can choose their products directly in the MIN but also benefit from the delivery service. Today, the SCIC's marketing channels are varied: early retailers, specialized stores, restaurateurs and catering professionals.

To date, LOC'HALLE BIO brings together 22 producers of organic fruit and vegetables, withinn a distance of 150km from Bordeaux, in the departments of Gironde, Charente-Maritime, Charente, Dordogne, Lot-Et-Garonne, and Landes. 

The main objective of this group is to pool logistics and facilitate marketing. Thus, Loc’Halle Bio customers have access to a multi-product offer with a single contact. At the same time, Loc’Halle Bio guarantees the competitiveness of its products, in particular by pooling logistics costs between producers.

Project leaders

Initially, the project was entrusted to Mr. Paul Richard, an agricultural engineer. The cooperative brought together 4 farmers at its inception. Today there are 70 including twenty cooperative producers. The SCIC also includes merchants and agricultural development associations in its membership. The project is currently led by Madame Emmanuelle Mado, the executive manager.

The Little Extra

Since its creation, Loc’Halle Bio has been able to step back to get an idea of ​​the volumes to be produced. Since 2016, a planning project has taken shape to help producers organize their plantations. Thus, Loc’Halle Bio is part of a real logic of structuring the agricultural value chains.

Written by Karla Béquet, volunteer LFC - October 2018. 

Last modification : 06 Apr 2020.

Loc'Halle bio

Le Marché d'Interêt National Quai Paludate Bordeaux France

LOC'HALLE BIO is a cooperative structure that brings together producers of organic fruits and vegetables, all located less than 150km from Bordeaux.

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