in Châtellerault, the challenge of eating local, organic and inexpensive

In Châtellerault (Vienne), school canteens promote quality by offering many organic products. The city, which does not wish to increase the prices of its meals, wants to control its costs as well as possible. “For example, it is to say, shouldn’t we substitute noodles, pasta, because wheat increases, rather by potato“, explains Marie Horreau, director of education at the town hall of Châtellerault.

The culinary production unit prepares around 2,000 meals a day, for 25 canteens. The chef makes his purchases in a short circuit and has established a partnership with local meat, fruit and vegetable producers.

The price of the meals is between 39 euro cents and 3.75 euros depending on the family budget. “Responsible purchasing means working in collaboration with suppliers. The supplier knows, in advance, what he is going to sell“, explains Frédéric Brothier, manager of the culinary production unit in Châtellerault.