Food was at the center of the debates during the 21st edition of the Confédération Paysanne du Gard festival, in Garrigues-Sainte-Eulalie, on October 5 and 6.
For 3 years, the members of the second agricultural union in the department have made the town of Garrigues-Sainte-Eulalie their benchmark to advocate organic and local agriculture. For the 21st time in total, the canvas was deployed. A main theme was chosen: food, dear to Gard producers, while questioning the future and the evolution of agriculture.
The festive weekend began with a demonstration of a mobile mill. Cereals, produced by farmers in the department, were ground and then sold.
At 5 p.m., Addearg (editor’s note: the association for the development of agricultural and rural employment in the Gard) presented the journey of young established farmers. After practice, it’s time to relax in music, with the first group, called Cocagne, coming on stage at 8 p.m., before Banan’N Jug takes over to liven up the end of the evening. Food trucks and a refreshment bar have also been installed to allow the public present to eat.
« We have not forgotten the agricultural crisis of last winter »
On Sunday October 6, it was the producers who took possession of the premises, during the traditional farmers’ market, to offer their products while introducing new flavors. At 10 a.m., Julia Chatal, agronomist engineer and Arnaud Vens, coming from Greniers d’abundance and Didier Marion, spokesperson for the Confédération paysanne du Gard, met for a round table around food.
« We must completely rethink the agricultural model and the distribution of food »
“We chose this theme because we have not forgotten the agricultural crisis of last winter.” There is a reality: almost 30% of the French population does not have enough to eat, because access to quality food is not possible for everyone,” notes Didier Marion. Before continuing: “We have good products, but people don’t have the money to buy them. We must completely rethink the agricultural model and the distribution of food. Farmers are pessimistic about the situation, because they are tied hand and foot to their cooperatives and they have no way out. If we don’t build another one, they will continue to lose money.”he warns, while demanding a “exit from free trade treaties, minimum entry prices and social protection”.
The Peasant Confederation represented, in the last professional elections, around 20% of farmers. 150 supporters make up this union determined to enrich the debates to “produce and feed differently” in order to lay solid foundations for the food and agriculture of tomorrow.
