The COVID-19 crisis is a disaster for many peasants who can no longer sell their products on markets or in restaurants. The AMAP (Association for the Maintenance of Peasant Agriculture) organize themselves to help them. Example in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
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Very united Amapiens
The AMAPs did not wait for the coronavirus crisis to show solidarity. This is what they already do all year, sincethey forge partnerships between consumers and local producers. In these short circuits, dhe groups of “consum’actors” undertake over a year to buy the production of peasants.
This is why, COVID-19 or not, many AMAPs have maintained their distributions to help producers. Indeed, “many can no longer supply the restaurants, nor continue to hold their stand on the markets. This also appears to us as a much safer way for us, from a health point of view, than resorting to supermarkets considering the number of people passing by “, explains Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet, co-president of AMAP Les Jardins de Virgile in Dijon.
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, only local producers handle the products delivered to members of AMAP Les Jardins de Virgile, in Dijon.
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© Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet
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Reinforced security rules
The Gardens of Virgil were born in April 2005, it was the first AMAP in Dijon.
It started with eight members. Today, it has around a hundred and has signed contracts with around twenty producers.
Usually everyone meets every week on Saturday morning, 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Bourroches social center, rue de la Corvée, in Dijon. This is where the baskets are distributed. Besides vegetables, you can also buy dairy products (cheeses, yogurts, etc.), flour, lentils, meat, honey, ice cream, chocolates, herbal teas, saffron, etc.
But, since containment went into effect, it was necessary to change the operating mode and introduce very strict sanitary measures.
This notably involves:
-The establishment ofground marking to respect 1 meter distance between each person.
-Volunteers no longer help distribute products, which are handled only by producers.
– Baskets or bags are prepared in advance. Everyone takes their own, then leaves.
–There is no handling of money : Orders are paid in advance in most cases. Otherwise, deposit your check in a box reserved for this purpose.
-To avoid social interactions as much as possible, a pyramid organization has been set up: in concrete terms, this means thata person collects the baskets of several others who live in his neighborhood and will drop them off at their door.
–A home distribution system has even been established exceptionally for older or more vulnerable people.
The AMAP Les Jardins de Virgile in Dijon has decided to continue its deliveries, despite the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic.
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© Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet
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The AMAP network of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is getting organized
“The AMAP network of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (which is being created) has started to identify small farmers who no longer have markets for their products because of the COVID-19 epidemic “ specifies Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet.
“The goal is to help them out punctually by offering their products to the Amapiens. Subsequently, this may perhaps lead to ad hoc collaborations with certain AMAPs.”
Thus, members of Les Jardins de Virgile were able to discover oyster mushrooms grown by a mushroom grower who usually provides restorers.
In May, they can buy garden plants (tomatoes, salads, aromatic herbs, peppers, zucchini, squash …) that a producer can no longer sell at fairs, shows and other markets.
At the same time, the usual producers of AMAP Les Jardins de Virgile are offering more deliveries. This is the case for flour which can be bought every month instead of once a quarter.
At this time, the Amapiens can also place an additional order of lamb meat, because the producer has difficulty in selling her Easter lambs because of the health crisis which prohibits gatherings and prevents the holding of family celebrations.
Members can also order Burgundy wines from Domaine Huber-Verdereau, to help them cope with a significant decrease in their clientele.
AMAP Les Jardins de Virgile in Dijon usually organizes its distributions on Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Bourroches social center.
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© Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet
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In summary, for the moment, most AMAPs in the region have decided to continue their deliveries. The prefectures and town halls have given their agreement, because “AMAPs are the extension of economic activity in a sector deemed essential”, indicates the Regional Direction of Agriculture and Forest of Burgundy – Franche-Comté. “There is no reason to consider that they should cease their activity, subject of course to strict compliance with the barrier measures”.
Some AMAPs had to stop their activity. “This is the case for example in Pouilly-sur-Saône, where the distribution takes place in a closed room. Talks are underway to find a place to fall back during the crisis,” explains Sylvie Rebillard-Chavanet.
In the meantime, life goes on. “To live is not to wait for the storm to pass, it is to dance in the rain,” proclaims a quote from Gandhi displayed during the last distribution of the Map of Virgil Gardens.
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