Since the first confinement, the French have favored a new way of shopping: the short circuit. Tight prices, fresher products, proximity to the producer, the formula has many advantages.
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In Strasbourg and Colmar stations, alongside pastries and coffees to take away, travelers can now buy vacuum-packed Münster and sauerkraut in refrigerated lockers. In the Weppes, in the North, vending machines open by the roadside 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, offer potatoes, salads or even pieces of beef. What do these lockers have in common? They are filled in by the producers themselves. This is called a short circuit. A form of trade form in which there is only one middleman between the consumer and the farmer.
In times of inflation, this formula has a sizeable advantage: the price of the products, which is often lower than in the big brands. They are also produced locally, only a few kilometers from the locker in which they are sold. Finally, for the farmer, it is a way to generate a higher margin than in traditional circuits. Moreover, the profession is not mistaken: in 2020, one in four farmers had embarked on a form of short circuit, whether in the form of a locker, farmer drive or sale on the farm.
The Bienvenue à la ferme network, which has 8,000 member farmers, has thus developed 5,000 direct sales outlets. To complete it, it has created stores in short circuits, offering 100% seasonal farm products. Four stores are already established in Eure, Côtes-d’Armor, Mayenne and Orne. They are supplemented by collection points in the station.
On the internet, sites list producers who sell directly. Meat lovers will find there the address of breeders who offer their pieces at retail and in the form of packages of five, eight or ten kilos. These batches must be reserved and require large quantities to be purchased. But the prices are very advantageous. According to our statements, count around €10 per kilo for pork and €12 to €17 for beef.