these groups of millers who supply the craftsmen

When buying a baguette, consumers inevitably came across the names of Banette, Festival des pains or Baguépi. These are groups of millers who supply many bakeries in France. In a business visited by France 2, the Rétrodor is a real star. This traditional baguette, very popular with customers, is sold for 1.20 euros. This product is known nationally, which ensures sales to Stéphane Crouin, artisan baker.

“The Retrodor, it has its name on the market and people, once they come to get you the Retrodor, they tell you: ‘I want the Retro'”, he confides. Behind these brands, there are groups of millers who sell their know-how and their flour to bakers. In the Loiret, the oldest of them, Banette, was created forty years ago. Every day, flour and dough are analyzed there in order to create new recipes and optimize existing ones. In addition to flour, the company also offers training to become a baker. Without the support of the millers, the bakers would perhaps have suffered more from the competition from the supermarkets, according to the general manager of Banette, Philippe Cavagna. On the other hand, some artisan bakers criticize these groups of millers and denounce the standardization of products.