That morning, in a parking lot in Fontenay-le-Fleury, in the Yvelines, Ali, a regular, leaves with his trunk loaded with thirty kilos of potatoes. “They are very, very good. he smiled. It is expensive in stores: 7 euros for 5 kilos! There, it’s 6 euros for 15 kilos!” Claude succeeds Ali, and this is the first time he has come. It will only take one fillet: “That’s enough, we’re only two, huh!, he underlines, amused. In fact, I saw on Facebook that there was a potato merchant who came from the North and that he sold them for six euros for fifteen kilos. So I said to myself: I’m going! In the 20 years that I’ve been retired, I haven’t had a cent of a raise, so…”
The Fontane variety potatoes from Virginie and Jérémy, a couple of northern farmers, grow 300 km away, in Houtkerque in Flanders. Two years ago, during the first confinement with the chip shops and restaurants closed, the couple found themselves with their harvest on their hands, but with the firm intention of not throwing away the stock. Also, Virginie decides with her husband to sell it at cost price and it is a success: two years later, they continue their round trips because there is a real need, at a time of declining purchasing power. a large number of French people. “During the first confinement, these people came to us to buy our potatoes to support us, explains Virginia. We don’t let them go and we also want to say thank you! It’s important for us to be there for them today, because their situation hasn’t changed much and it’s still just as difficult for everyone. “
“Ten minutes ago, a lady took two bags from me and thanked me, telling me that thanks to us, she was going to be able to eat a little more. It touches to think that we can help people who have a little trouble at the end of the month.”
“There, it was a retiree, she continues, but it also concerns large families, working people, young people.” “It’s super supportive and it’s not uncommon for people to share information on social networks to send us people: people help each other!”, underlines Virginia.
Miguel, in fact, loads three bags of potatoes into his van. “I also take some for friends, he explains. Because at this price, we benefit!” Often, the regulars offer coffees, cakes to Virginie and her small team. The cars pass by and on the pallets there are not many nets left: the couple has sold ten tons of potatoes. Also, for Igor and Catherine, who also came to get their potatoes, this evening, it will be a Polish potato pancake. At cost price, therefore, but also, insists Igor… with pleasure.