Fromoccitanie, the new cheese dairy with local flavors
Mélany Baby rhymes “cheese” and “Occitanie”. A challenge she rose to brilliantly with the opening of Fromoccitanie, at 57 avenue Camille-Pujol, on September 8th. Before embarking on self-employment, Mélanie worked for several years in communication and human resources at ATR and Airbus. And, more than a year ago, the manager of the cheese dairy wanted to give meaning to her work. It was at this time that a desire for professional retraining germinated.
At the end of a skills assessment, two results emerged: acting to the local economy and supports people in reintegration. “I have an attraction for everything that is local products, so I opted for this assessment and I then continued on training courses that went in this direction”, says Mélanie.
Promote local products
If the link with customers is dear to Mélanie, it is just as much about her attraction for good products. During the preparation of her project, the Toulousaine crisscrossed Occitanie in search of producers.
Initially, my project aimed to offer 100% Occitanie products. So I did a great job of finding producers. I sent them emails to present my project. For me, one thing was clear, I had to know the products I was selling as well as the people behind these products”, confides the cheesemaker, questioned by The Independent Opinion.
During her research, the Toulouse realized that the production volume of some breeders was not compatible with its objectives. A meticulous sorting work was therefore carried out by the neo-cheesemaker. At the end of this task, Mélanie ended up interacting directly with seven Occitan producers. They are notably based in Tarn, Aveyron and Aude.
A key training
During her training with CIFAP, the Toulousaine took a few steps. Her sisters and brothers unanimously gave her key advice. “They all told me that in order not to run straight into the wall, you have to sell county. It is the most purchased cheese by the French”, she recalls amused. It was therefore necessary to review its ambition of 100% Occitanie. Thus, within Fromoccitanie, customers could find great French and even Swiss references: Comté, Gouda, Raclette, Tête de Moine, Gruyère, Appenzeller…
© Camélia Balistro/The Independent Opinion
For “large pieces”, the cheese dairy works with a wholesaler based in Bordeaux. “I chose this wholesaler to prevent the cheeses from wandering around too much and losing quality, because wholesalers are generally located in Paris”, explains Mélanie.
Grocery currency
In addition to selling cheese, the shopkeeper offers groceries. There too, the circuit-yardtest the key word of the Toulousaine. There are thus jams made in Colomiers and honey produced by hives in Balma. The selection of wines from Gers and Tarn. Eggs produced at the Bois Gourmand farmyard in Fourqueveaux, Haute-Garonne. La Fromoccitanie also has bottles of Lotoise vinegars and beers from two Toulouse micro-breweries: Aviateur and Vieilledent.
I make it a point of honor to work with small local producers who can deliver to me”, proudly comments Mélanie.
© Camélia Balistro/The Independent Opinion
New challenges
After a month of opening, customer feedback is, according to Mélanie, positive both on the products and on the decoration of the establishment. And, buyers already have their preference!
I already notice that the county is the cheese that sells the most. Tomme de brebis also, and more generally products from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques”, notes the young cheesemaker.
Such enthusiasm that it already leaves room for new projects. “I would like to organize a wine and cheese tasting workshop. It would be a way to create a bond with customers while discovering new flavors.”
>> Practical information
Where ? 57 avenue Camille Pujol
When ? Tuesday to Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. / 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
More informations here.