RESEAU COCAGNE

Combines sustainable development, responsible consumption and professional integration for the unemployed

In 15 years, the Reseau Cocagne became a social economy and solidary leader. In the organic vegetable production, it combines sustainable development, responsible consumption and professional integration for the unemployed.

GROWING ORGANIC PRODUCTS THANKS TO SOCIAL INCLUSION

In 1990, a new kind of market garden appeared. Its products are organic and its gardeners are people in need of social and professional integration. Every week, it sells basket of vegetables to consumers who are members of its network.

Founded in 1999, Réseau Cocagne now has more than 120 gardens throughout the country. Around 25,000 baskets are produced every week by the 4,000 gardeners who have integrated the network and their 700 supervisors. The network is now diversifying into the restaurant and catering businesses under the brand name Planète Sésame.

After this work experience, 48% of the gardeners find a job or enter a job-training program.

A NEW SITE FOR A NEW PHASE

The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation has been involved in the latest challenge facing Réseau Cocagne: the creation of a new model of vegetable garden and a multi-activity site on a 45-acre farm on the Saclay Plateau.

New methods will be developed to further diversify production (up to 100 different varieties of vegetables, 50 weeks a year) to meet consumer expectations.
The land will be used to train supervisors, who are regularly needed by the Cocagne gardens.
New initiatives will be tested on the site: an organic, locavore restaurant open to other local producers, and food trucks to bring competitively priced, high-quality organic food to employees of companies located on the Saclay Plateau.
Maison Cocagne will be the association’s headquarters and serve as a meeting place to promote contacts and raise awereness of the network.