Aude Le Rhun, you are the director of the Drôme Food Club. What is this club about?
Aude Le Rhun: “The objective of the Drôme Food Club is to connect local producers, processors and distributors in order to develop virtuous commercial relationships. It was created under the joint leadership of the three consular chambers (agriculture, trade and crafts, commerce and industry) and the Department of Drôme. Its objective is to increase the market share of local products in the food consumption of Drômois, in particular through a reinforced presence in supermarkets, agri-food companies and restaurants. »
How does it work?
Aude Le Rhun: “The Drôme Food Club is an association which brings together six colleges: agricultural producers, food processors, distributors, local authorities, partners and founders. It is currently chaired by Hervé Roux, elected from the Drôme Chamber of Agriculture. Each year, the presidency rotates between the three consular chambers.
Currently, the Club has around twenty members. We offer them meeting opportunities to enable agricultural producers and processors to find outlets; and to distributors looking for local products, or even to processors, to find suppliers. We also plan to create a directory. The vocation of the Drôme Food Club is to facilitate connections by creating a network. But it does not intervene on contracts or prices. »
You are organizing a trade show soon. Where and when?
Aude Le Rhun: “The first edition of our trade show called “Alimentons la Drôme” will be held on Monday February 3 at the Clévos estate in Étoile-sur-Rhône, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. We hope for the presence of around fifty producer and processor exhibitors. And a maximum number of buying visitors. To facilitate connections, in addition to exhibitor stands, we will set up “speed meetings”, that is to say pre-organized meetings lasting around fifteen minutes. This short format will allow you to multiply the number of meetings. There will also be tastings and a conference. »
Who are the potential buyers already identified?
Aude Le Rhun: “Several major retail brands will be present such as Super U in Saint-Sorlin-en-Valloire, Leclerc in Saint-Paul-lès-Romans, the U stores in Grâne and Die… Also collective catering companies , restaurants, artisans and food processing manufacturers… »
What are the terms and conditions for participating in this event?
Aude Le Rhun: “Registrations are possible until mid-January. Regarding producers, the show is aimed at all agricultural and food sectors in Drôme, whatever the production methods: conventional and organic, under quality signs (AOP, IGP, etc.) or not. Once you become a member of the Drôme Food Club, registration to participate in the show is free. For information, Club membership varies from 100 to 1,000 euros, it is calculated according to the company’s turnover. A 25% discount is applied in 2025.”
Any last words to finish?
Aude Le Rhun: “I hope that we will mobilize as many people as possible for this first edition so that participants who do not know each other can work together. »
Comments collected by Christophe Ledoux
Related News :