The project has been a little behind schedule, but it is on track. If all goes well, many schoolchildren in Essonne will find vegetables grown in short circuits on their plates in September 2025. The departmental council has indeed embarked on the construction of a vegetable factory: this establishment will transform (washing, peeling ...) each year 3,000 tons of fruits and vegetables bought from farmers in Esson or nearby. This Monday, the statutes of the local public company (SPL) Essonne Terre d'Alimentation, as well as the purchase of a plot of 10,000 m2 in Étréchy for the future installation, were unanimously approved in public session.
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For the time being, ten municipalities (Angerville, Brétigny-sur-Orge, Brunoy, Cerny, Gometz-le-Châtel, Montgeron, Morangis, Saulx-les-Chartreux, Villemoisson-sur-Orge, Yerres), as well as the Community of communes Entre Juine et Renarde, have joined. Others will be able to join them in the years to come. The Ile-de-France region could be there, as the community has expressed interest in feeding its high schools.
An investment of 7 million euros
"We want to make Essonne the vegetable garden of Île-de-France for healthier food," says Guy Crosnier, in charge of rurality, agriculture and food. The land, located rue des Hêtres pourpres, will be purchased for 250,000 euros. "It is well located, close to the N 20, between the places where we produce in the south and those where we consume in the north," notes François Durovray (LR), the president of the departmental council. In total, the investment is just over 7 million euros.
The main objectives: "to offer fresh and partly organic products for collective catering", but also "to allow Essonnian farmers to diversify their production, with the assurance of a sustainable local outlet and a balanced remuneration by limiting intermediaries", "maximize our food autonomy", and "reduce our carbon footprint", explains the department.
