- Since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, the French have flocked to supermarkets, to the detriment of small producers, for whom the period is tough.
- In Occitania, several initiatives exist to give a boost to farmers: home deliveries, online platforms, etc.
Times are tough for small producers. Due to the strict measures put in place to fight the spread of Covid-19, the French flock to supermarkets and drives to do their shopping, to the detriment of short circuits.
Restaurants and canteens, some of which were supplied by farmers, have closed. Most outdoor markets, too. So the producers organize themselves, to face this rough period. How do they dispose of their fruits, vegetables, cheeses or meat? 20 Minutes has identified devices in Occitania that give them a boost.
A regional platform
The Occitanie region launched on Tuesday a free platform, which lists local producers and traders who offer home delivery of their products, while respecting barrier measures. "To help residents limit their travel, we bring local products to their door," said Carole Delga (PS), the president of the region. On this site, we can geolocate producers and traders who deliver close to home, on an interactive map, then contact them by email or phone, to place an order for products.
More than 800 traders and producers in the region are waiting for your food delivery orders at: https://t.co/xF0UcwLI3W#RestezChezVous @Occitanie = # larégiondessolutions pic.twitter.com/cYg1wCR6HS
- Carole Delga (@CaroleDelga) March 25, 2020As of Wednesday, more than 800 have already registered on the platform. "The markets were our only way to sell," laments Elise Bréchard, a young farmer from Lunel-Viel, in Hérault. We manage as best we can, because the productions do not stop. So for this fruit and vegetable producer, who created the Elise Market, this platform is a boon. "I have also put myself on several Facebook groups in the area, and I have many requests," rejoices the Héraultaise.
Jérémy Bouby, cheese maker in Les Arceaux, in Montpellier, is also registered on the platform. Since the closing of the market in his district, of which he is the president, he has set up home deliveries, to satisfy his regulars, somewhat lost for a week. "They are confused, they no longer have access to the products they used to consume," confides this cheese maker. So we teamed up with early vegetables, Italian caterers, etc. to offer different products to our customers. For example, we post our products on Facebook or Instagram, and we call customers one by one to place orders and plan delivery routes. "
An "Uber" for fresh products
Created in Montpellier, the start-up Freshy has just landed in Toulouse, after having conquered the Montpellier people. Online or via an IOS or Android application, this young company offers to order fresh products from small neighborhood businesses online and have them delivered to your home. It is possible to order from five different traders and have it delivered all at once, by bicycle, cargo bike or electric car. And these confinement times, the device seduces.
“We have literally exploded in recent days, we have made seven to eight months of turnover in a week and a half, says Tom Vea, one of the creators of the platform. People want to be delivered, it's gratifying to always have access to fresh and local products. We have set up contactless delivery. The delivery person places the goods in front of the customer, and stays on the phone with him until he retrieves them, without there being any contact. In Montpellier, around twenty traders use the free application, and around fifteen in Toulouse.
Some farms remain open
Despite the strict containment measures, some farms are still accessible to customers attached to short circuits. In Reilhac, in the Lot, the Vigne Haute farm, which raises around sixty goats, is open and allows customers to buy cheese, Rocamadour, tomme or faisselle. "There are not many people, we find it difficult to sell our products, we work mainly with tourism, and tourists, there is more, obviously, says Delphine Chauffeton, at the head of this small family farm. Once the goats are milked, they are milked. So we only have the local. "
In Mazères-sur-Salat, in Haute-Garonne, the Tuzaguet farm, which offers yogurts from their dairy cow farming, is also open, although the epidemic has changed the organization a bit. "You have to keep living," says Caroline Pintat, the manager. It's open, but we have greatly reduced my opening days. I only open four hours a week, while I open two days a week. "
In Teyran, in Hérault, Croquez du frais, a 9 hectare fruit and vegetable farm, has also redesigned its direct sales shop. "Customers no longer come inside, we have set up an outside stand," explains Sébastien Delmas, its owner. They say what they want, and we compose their baskets. No one touches the products anymore. The fresh produce vending machine, launched last year, is also operating at full capacity at Croquez du frais.
Local products in supermarkets
This vegetable farmer from Hérault is distraught: “People call me to tell me that there are only Spanish fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets! “, Regrets the farmer. In a letter, Jean-Jacques Bolzan, president of the Federation of the wholesale markets of France, and Carole Delga, the president of the region, called on Tuesday the regional managers of the big distribution to "privilege a local supply". “The sustainability of farms, already fragile, depends on it. "
If foreign products are still very present on the shelves of supermarkets, some also show increased solidarity, in this complicated period. This is the case of the Intermarché store in Pollestres, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. “For fruits and vegetables, our store already works 40% with local producers in the department, which is quite rare in large retailers. Today, we see that producers have difficulty in selling their stocks. And we have trouble being delivered. So if it can help us farmers in this difficult time, and allow us to have quality products, fruits, vegetables, cheese! We are ready to help in many areas. "
Other brands have promised to favor local products. "We have very clearly made the commitment to market fresh French products: asparagus, strawberries, meat, including paschal lamb, fish ...", assured Tuesday, on France Inter, Jacques Creyssel, the director of the Trade Federation and distribution. It remains to translate it into action.
Health
Coronavirus: Finally, the prefect of Aisne gives up banning the sale of strong alcohol during confinement
Society
Coronavirus: Fresh produce neglected in “containment races”?
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Containment
- Covid 19
- Toulouse
- Montpellier
- Coronavirus
- Supermarket
- Agriculture
- Producer
- Economy