Short circuit our locavore tips

At a farmer’s market, farm store or directly from the farm, most products are local and in season, and prices are fairer for producers and consumers alike! It’s also easier to find organic produce, and you can gradually improve your commitment. You don’t need to read the fine print on the labels, you just need to know a few tricks, and let yourself be guided by the producers… So, are you tempted?

Published on 11 October 2024

Ophélie

I'm a fan of the short circuit! I'm passionate about local produce and the farmers behind it... their know-how. You'll often come across me in all the local "Bons Plans".

The monthly taste rendez-vous Farmers' markets

Several towns in the Park regularly host farmers’ markets, where you can group your purchases, discover new producers and taste their products.

Since November 2003, the “Producteurs de Scarpe-Escaut” association has been offering you the chance to discover their products and know-how, every month, in an original setting: one of their farms.
They offer you local, seasonal food products. Each market includes a draw for a basket filled with local produce.

The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pnr Marche — ©Farm market in the park|PNRSE

©Hergnies Ferme De Saint Ghislain Pnr Circuit Court

The convivial or practical formula

Directly at the farm

Most farmers who sell their produce directly to the market have set up a small store on their farm to welcome you. Opening hours are more regular than at markets, and if you talk to the producer, you’ll surely be able to find a time to visit the farm and talk about the products you’re buying.

At a collective sales outlet

Collective sales outlets enable consumers to find many products in the same place, with more convenient opening hours. The price of the products sold includes the store’s operating costs, while remaining affordable.

There are several grocery stores selling organic and/or local produce in the Natural Park area, as well as 3 “Ruche qui dit Oui” (in Hasnon, Warlaing and Valenciennes),
1 farm drive (le Drive des 4 saisons) in Valenciennes.

Why is that good?

Reason #1

Product traceability is the first advantage. The short circuit corresponds to a sale with one intermediary at most. For you, this means greater visibility over the origin of the produce you consume. You know exactly who you’re buying your vegetables from, and under what conditions they’re grown.

Reason #2

In the short circuit, products spend less time reaching the point of sale, and farmers let them grow to maturity, so they retain their flavor and nutritional value.

Reason #3

One of the advantages of short-distance consumption is that it creates a direct relationship with producers, allowing you to meet and talk to them.

Products on sale at the Tourist Office

Grégory, our “Gold” beekeeper

Have you heard of the gourmet jury? Since 2011, local products and dishes from producers and restaurateurs in the Scarpes-Escaut NRP area have been tasted by local residents to award prizes for a year’s worth of products and know-how. This innovative initiative is based on a citizen jury that includes people of all ages.

Selected for their quality, local origin and environmentally-friendly production, several products and recipes are judged according to a number of criteria: taste, smell, texture, presentation, originality and promotion of the region).

The prizes awarded are the “Saule d’or” (a score of over 17/20), and the “Saule d’argent” (a score of between 15 and 17/20).

Grégory Dussenne, beekeeper-producer from Condé-sur-Escaut, is a multiple winner of the “Saule d’Or”.

You can find the full range of his honey in his 100% local store in Condé-sur-l’Escaut, or in our selection in the Tourist Office store (Mont de Piété, 12, place verte, Valenciennes).

How do you live this experience?

Dairy products, vegetables, fruit, meat and eggs, potatoes, beer, honey, jam… You can find it all just a few kilometers from home. But you still need to know where to go…