LThe weather wasn't good, but the customers were. It must be said that it takes more to stop a Périgord in search of good products. Also, there were many of them parading this Friday at the end of October on the Maison Neuve Légumes farm, run by the Combes family, in Ligueux (commune of Sorges-et-Ligueux-en-Périgord).
Since the beginning of October, a truck has appeared there. This is the Marché qui vadrouille, of the butcher Geoffroy Ballet, supported by his partner Anne-Lise. And one thing is certain: he is in love with his products, and above all with human relationships.
Stay in Malta
“Geoffroy told us about his project and like us, we like to help, it was quite natural that we offered him to install his truck with us so that he could benefit from our customers,” explain Nathalie and Alain Combes , from whom Geoffroy bought his vegetables.
The idea of launching your own traveling business came to Périgourdin in 2023 during a stay in Malta. Every Friday since mid-October, the butcher, who still works full-time in a supermarket, raises his flag on the Maison Nouveau Légumes farm, this stronghold of good, local eating.
Morteau sausage, bull fillet, chestnut pudding… Geoffroy selects all his products from local butchers.
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And a loyal clientele already seems to be emerging. Starting with Karine and Jean-Michel, a couple from the Paris region, recently settled in Périgord. “We traveled from Agonac, where there is no butcher,” they explain. In addition to the advantage of having everything they need at their disposal, they especially find a special atmosphere at Maison Nouveau. The very one that pleased the butcher couple so much.
Pasta, vegetables, household products
“We also did not come to get our vegetables here out of necessity, but truly for pleasure,” admits Anne-Lise. She also worked in supermarkets. An “impersonal” universe from which she wanted to move away. “I no longer like mass commerce, they are no longer my values. I want us to rediscover authenticity, without exorbitant margins… And recreate a sincere bond with people. »
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Alain and Nathalie Combes now welcome Geoffroy to their Maison neuf farm every Friday: “It’s important to help young people! »
Morteau sausage, bull fillet, chestnut pudding… Geoffroy selects all his products from local butchers and charcutiers. “I sometimes go as far as Corrèze for very specific products, but I always stay in France,” he explains. Above all, I want to make the most of our local producers, with an assortment that changes all the time. And prove that you can eat well and at a good price! »
“I want us to rediscover authenticity, without exorbitant margins… And recreate a sincere bond with people”
The itinerant trader does not confine himself only to meat. In his truck, the customer can also find ecological household products, pasta, jarred vegetables, etc. Geoffroy already makes three rounds per week with his truck (1). He intends to multiply them until he makes them his main activity. “Even if it means competing with supermarkets, who knows! »
(1) The Marché qui vadrouille stops every Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Sorges-et-Ligueux-en-Périgord, and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Eyzerac, as well as on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Escoire. Information on 06 70 53 46 92 or by email at [email protected].
