The City of Nîmes strengthens its partnership with local producers for quality school meals

Magali Saumade (au centre) est présidente de la Chambre d’agriculture du Gard depuis février 2019. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

Depuis 2009, la cité antique gardoise s’est distinguée en étant l’une des premières à privilégier les producteurs locaux pour approvisionner ses cantines scolaires.

The Nîmes municipality is continuing its approach to strengthening local partnerships and has formalized its choice to bring new producers into the school catering system. A pioneer since 2009, it is one of the first cities to have taken this initiative to collaborate with local producers and initiate a partnership with the Gard Chamber of Agriculture.< /p>

An approach to excellence

At the Henri Wallon elementary school on this Thursday, April 4, Jean-Paul Fournier, mayor of Nîmes, welcomed the progress made over the last fifteen years to promote education. ;rsquo;use of local products in the meals served to students. "We are one of the first cities to have chosen to work with local producers. This number increases from year to year, which demonstrates that a relationship of trust has been established", he expressed&nbsp ;all smiles.

In 2021, the City had already been awarded the "Les cantines rebels" prize which celebrates each year the most beautiful food initiatives that are developing in the region French. "Le Gard is a leader nationally when it comes to organic, explained Magali Saumade, president of the Gard Chamber of Agriculture. We want to reproduce this pattern beyond Nîmes. But for that, you have to have the necessary production."

Local producers also spoke. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

"Above what the Egalim law recommends"

Since 2018, the municipality and the company Dupont Restauration, delegated by the City for school catering in its 83 schools, have been committed to producers on purchase quantities. "For us it’s a very important market, explained Bertrand Feraut, president of the Uni-Vert cooperative in Saint-Gilles. This allows us to plant products for young people in Nîmes and to have the assurance of guaranteed income.< /p>

Today the city of Nîmes serves more than 50% quality and sustainable products and 40% organic with a desire to reach the 50% mark ;nbsp;% by 2026. "This is above what the Egalim law recommends at the organic level", rejoiced Magali Saumade. "It works and what works must be continued" thus concluded Dominique Granier, president of the Gard Chamber of Agriculture between& ;nbsp;2001 and 2019.