The Mediterranean Flavors Days, which end this Sunday at 5 p.m., are an opportunity for meetings between the farming world and that of the city.
“ Why does the calf have a tag attached to one ear? » asks a curious little boy. The breeder’s response is precise “The numbers written on this label allow us to know in which department it was born and when. It’s a bit of his identity card”. This is one of the virtues of the Mediterranean Flavors Days, they allow us to educate urban children (but also adults) about life in the countryside. For farmers, it is also an opportunity to discover the specificities of their profession.
Mathieu Saignol breeder in Mauressargues • Photo: Norman Jardin
“ We can show the diversity and richness of Gard agriculture. The idea is to make people aware of agriculture and our profession. It’s complicated to have financial autonomy despite the overload of work. People also need to be sensitive to the fact of consuming Gard. There are still 160 cow farms in Gard and we have our say » explains Mathieu Saignol, a breeder in Mauressargues with around forty cows of the Gasconne des Pyrénées breed. The grove and the Jardin de la Fontaine are transformed into an open-air agricultural show.
Tony, Dan and Salomé came specially from Langlade • Photo: Norman Jardin
All farm animals and products are represented. “ I saw the ad at the Intermarché de Langlade and we were not disappointed. It’s great to do it in this beautiful setting. Children have fun with the animals and adults with the farmers’ market. I really like buying local products » enthuses Salomé who is accompanied by Tony and little Dan. They take the opportunity to enjoy farm fries and a pork burger. The Mediterranean Flavors Days are also noises and smells which are foreign to city dwellers but which remind us that agriculture is essential and that it must be protected.
