To denounce the future establishment of a Burger King, the first major fast-food restaurant in the city center of Périgueux in Dordogne (Place Francheville next to the CGR), the Confédération paysanne kept its promise, this Friday June 28 at 1 p.m. . She organized an event with local gourmet weapons. Bread from Montignac-Lascaux, meat from Saint-Aquilin and Mareuil-en-Périgord, raw vegetables from Mauzens, potatoes and onion compotes from Lacropte. Behind the stoves, despite the heat, several farmers made 160 burgers, sold for 10 euros with a drink, also local.
Paid farmers
Nearly 200 people (relatives and bystanders) responded to the union’s call. “In this electoral context, we’re pretty happy. We’re not very good at delivering trailers of manure in front of the prefecture, but we know how to make burgers,” says François Soulard, union spokesperson, a dairy sheep and organic cow breeder in Mareuil-en-Périgord. Around him, the producers and market gardeners present are used to holding gourmet markets and cooking.
“In Périgueux, we want a real city of gastronomy, which works with quality local farm products”
All denounce a “simply irresponsible” implementation. “With our 10 euro burger, we pay our farmers. Three-quarters of the price will go to them, and the rest goes to the Confederation. Only our work is voluntary today,” laughs François Soulard.
“We know that 85% of the products sold in these fast food restaurants are too fatty, too sweet, with all the faults in the world. We are trying to rebel against this and tell ourselves that at least in Périgueux, we want a real city of gastronomy, which works with local, quality farm products,” believes Jules Chamoy, a beef farmer in Saint-Aquilin, behind the stove.
In the ranks of the public, committed to the cause of Conf’paysanne, Éric Rebière, a resident of Périgueux. “We give them our support because it is a union that wants healthy agriculture for the future of the population, and the Earth itself. Between Burger King and the Peasant Confederation, there for the peasants to live and for the well-being of everyone, there is no comparison,” believes this sympathizer.
The shadow of José Bové and his fight against junk food looms large. “If the brand that’s coming up bought local, I wouldn’t mind spending 15 euros on a burger. Except that she buys industrial products at low prices. How much would be left for the farmer? Peanuts. I am passing the precarious conditions of employment,” adds the spokesperson for the agricultural union.
“I think that food should be produced as close as possible. But that’s not the case, and it doesn’t help farmers survive,” regrets Michèle Roux, a breeder and wine producer in Sigoulès. When she retired, she came to represent her son.
Voices denouncing “agribusiness and its offspring” in a city that claims to be the capital of gastronomy. Périgueux hopes to present its candidacy in March 2025 to become a UNESCO creative city for gastronomy.
