In Lespignan, market gardener Axel Garcia promotes the short circuit to his customers

On Wednesday mornings, Axel Garcia sells his vegetables in Lespignan. Midi Libre – René Ferrando

The young market gardener has a loyal clientele in the villages where he sets up shop. Midi Libre – René Ferrando

In the villages, mobile businesses are a significant plus, especially for the elderly who have difficulty getting around. This presence creates social ties. In the West Hérault, many traders crisscross the roads to supply the population or provide services. “Midi Libre” went to meet these itinerants. Second part of this series in Lespignan where the market gardener Axel Garcia sells his vegetables on Wednesdays.

A lady arrives with a shopping bag in her hand. “You wouldn't have a paper bag ?”, she asks. Axel Garcia hands her one and there she is, choosing her vegetables before presenting them on the shopkeeper's electronic scale. It's chilly this Wednesday morning in Lespignan. But that doesn't stop Axel from being faithful to the appointment. Hat on his head, the market gardener has set up his stalls and offers his vegetables on the Place des Écoles. “I arrived around 6 o'clock. I had time to get set up and I was ready for 7 o'clock. That's the time when people usually come to do their shopping before going to work”, explains the young man who almost apologizes: “Today, I don't have much. In winter, production is down. In summer, on the other hand, we are much more supplied.” Despite everything, his salads, carrots, leeks and other cauliflowers attract the attention of customers.

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A sustainable culture

Axel has been joining the family farm: La cueillette Saint-Aubin for a year now. “I work with my father, Renald, who has been established since 2008. We are located on the Colombiers crossing.” There, on nearly 3 hectares, the Garcias produce sustainable vegetables. They are also the only ones to offer picking. On the farm, wheelbarrows and plastic crates are available. “From May to September, people come to the farm and they are the ones who pick the vegetables they need”, explains Axel. In fine weather, the estate is full of about ten varieties of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, salads, onions, potatoes, etc. On their Facebook page, Renald and Axel Garcia inform their customers of availability. No fewer than 872 people are subscribed. And that's how the farm is riding the wave of the short supply chain craze.

The short supply chain is a hit

A craze that also attracts customers when Axel sets up his stalls in the villages. The short supply chain is a hit and the public is returning to seasonality: they are no longer offended if they can't find tomatoes in January. “On Saturdays and Sundays, we manage to reach thirty-somethings who want to eat local, especially in towns. In villages, this trend works a little less well. People buy what they need”, notes the market gardener who, despite everything, continues on his merry way. On Wednesdays, after passing through Lespignan, we find him in Béziers on Place Jean-Jaurès. On Fridays and Sundays, he is in Vendres. On Saturdays, he sets up in Lieuran-lès-Béziers. “In the summer, I am also in Vendres-plage on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.”

Loyal customers

A presence on the ground that builds customer loyalty. “In the villages, we have many regulars. Elderly people, others who don't have a car. They are loyal, they know that we are there on a given day. In the summer, we also reach tourists”, explains Axel. His tour of the villages brings a plus to the family business. “If we didn't have the markets, especially in the summer, it would be harder”, he adds.

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