“Making quality food with social justice”
Inauguration of the Maison Solidaire de l’Alimentation in the 8 arrondissement of Lyon. © Lucile Briere
On Friday October 14, the VRAC Lyon Métropole & Récup and Gamelles associations demonstrated, in the presence of François HOLLANDE and with the City and the Metropolis of Lyon, a new food third place in the heart of the Langlet-Santy district in Lyon 8th. A Committed and Solidarity House for Food…
“Initially, this project comes from experiences that have been made in Canada on food third places that are open to everyone and that offer quality food through solidarity mechanisms. It is also a place of resources with the idea of bringing the question of food back to the heart of the city at a time when we no longer take the time to eat quality products well. This house is short circuit products at affordable prices,” says Loïc de Bulk Lyon.
In Lyon, in the Langlet Santy district, Lyon 8, everyone can come and get supplies and food in this Maison Engagée et solidaire de l’Alimentation. Three times a week, there is a Bulk grocery store, which sells at differentiated prices depending on the status of the person. The experience within this house is the pricing financed at 70% which should make it possible to offer quality products at 30% of the market price. The rest of the week, everyone can come and use the kitchen collectively or individually. Led by VRAC Lyon Métropole and Récup et Gamelles, the MESA project was born from their common desire to create a space intended to support citizens and existing players in sustainable food, the fight against precariousness and participation. citizen, to come together in synergy to think up a concerted and cooperative local action. François Hollande present at the event represents the association France is committed.
“It gives a new face to the neighborhood”
For Mimouna, a resident of Lyon 8 for more than 20 years, “we always see the same type of shops, always the same type of daily newspaper. That’s innovative. It will allow us to access organic products because it is sometimes not even accessible to those with high incomes. The idea of solidarity cooking will make it possible to establish a link with the inhabitants. It gives a new face to the neighborhood and then it changes snacks.“
Between the different stands, the neighborhood is teeming with people during this inauguration. Different cultures and foods mix together and the different associations offer activities and foods in bulk. Among these various activities, we find Grégory Doucet, mayor of Lyon, Bruno Bernard, of the Metropolis discussing with the actors of this project… A project which comes from the associative world”shows that it is possible to innovate and that it is possible to make quality food with social justice. It’s open to everyone.” says François Hollande, president of the La France s’engage association.