For now, the sheds are empty, but they will soon accommodate tons of vegetables. The workshops for washing, peeling, cutting and freezing vegetables are ready. The vegetable plant, installed in part of the former Escat warehouses, in Bergerac, will open in spring 2022. This platform receives, cleans and processes vegetables for distribution in local communities. She has two objectives: to support the farmers of the Dordogne and to offer the products to the school canteens of the department which ask for them.
A first in Périgord: “There were already small units, but not at this level”, explains Céline Jardin, coordinator of the food excellence program of the Bergerac Agglomeration Community (CAB), leader of the project.
This platform was created on part of the Escat warehouses, bought in 2015 by the Bergerac agglomeration community. The former military site comprises a total of 60,000 square meters of building. The vegetable plant is part of a food center that also includes the production of gin made from honey, craft beer and the cannery of fruits and vegetables.
Frédéric Delmarès, president of the Bergerac Agglomeration Community, affirms it: there is a real territorial expectation on the subject. “Producers and kitchens have been waiting for things to be organized for several years. “ This tool will also provide security for local farmers, by guaranteeing them sales prices.
400 tonnes of vegetables per year
For Pascal Liabaste, mayor of the municipality of Lunas and community advisor in charge of food excellence, this tool was lacking in the Périgord region. “It will give impetus to local production, I’m sure of it.” The vegetable plant will be able to produce 400 tonnes of vegetables per year to supply Périgord communities, and possibly neighboring departments.
Total cost of the works: 1.8 million euros, financed by the State, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Department, the Adour-Garonne water agency and the Bergerac Agglomeration Community.