The closure of post offices, often justified for budgetary reasons, is a reality that affects many territories. To compensate for this lack, La Poste is increasing partnerships with town halls and businesses, transforming these places into postal agencies. A new, even more original initiative has just been launched: the establishment of postal agencies within agricultural holdings.
This pilot project, carried out in collaboration with the Chamber of Agriculture and the Bienvenue à la ferme network, enabled the deployment of ten postal relay points throughout France. Eure, the only Normandy department concerned, hosts three of these agricultural postal agencies: the Ferme de Lethrosne in Plessis-Grohan, the Rucher de Cantiers in Vexin-sur-Epte and the Ferme du Louvier in Bâlines.
Fill in the blank areas and energize farms
For Frédéric Bonté, Director of Resources and Transformation at La Poste, this system aims to strengthen proximity with customers, particularly in underserved rural areas. “We are going where we have never been before,” he explains. The selection criteria for partner farms are clear: a high reception capacity, a shop with wide opening hours and the sale of everyday products.
The experiment, planned to last one year, already seems to be bearing fruit. “The feedback is positive,” says Frédéric Bonté. “Our customers save time and distance, and farmers benefit from increased customer base. »
New visibility for farmers
At the Ferme du Louvier, in Bâlines, Patricia and Max Auffret, breeders and processors of pigs and poultry, welcomed this postal agency with slight initial skepticism. “I didn’t think I was in a desertification zone,” confides Patricia Auffret. Already equipped with a Pickup point, the couple were finally convinced by the opportunity to offer additional service to their customers and gain visibility.
For two weeks, the farm's saleswomen, duly trained, have been offering traditional postal services: selling stamps, sending registered letters and pre-franked parcels. “It’s recent, people need to get used to it,” emphasizes Patricia Auffret. “But the first returns are encouraging. Customers appreciate this new local service. »
If the experiment proves conclusive, Ferme du Louvier could well extend the adventure beyond the three years initially planned. An initiative which illustrates La Poste's ability to innovate and adapt to the needs of rural areas, while offering new perspectives to farmers.
