“Local producers can play an important role in this time of crisis,” reports Sébastien Pelka of Direct Market. “The coronavirus has caused shortages in supermarkets for basic products, including fruits and vegetables. Supermarkets are struggling to get their supplies. At the same time, local producers have some stocks available. The closure of schools has caused significant slumps for their suppliers. We must redirect all these volumes to distribution and the drives that are lacking products.”
For the producers who are used to selling their merchandise to retailers, the coronavirus has already increased their sales. This is mostly the case for vegetables like potatoes and onions, as well as eggs and meat. The producers who do not work with retailers yet are very affected by the situation, according to Sébastien.
The stock of a producer who sells his products via Direct Market. Potatoes intended for the Auchan supermarkets.
In the coming weeks, Sébastien expects to meet the high demand from consumers for local products. “Given the current difficulties on a global scale, local productions seem like a safer option than imported products.”
Sébastien emphasizes the urgency of quickly rebalancing the supply, or some producers who work with collective catering will be in great difficulty and other producers will reach the limit of their production. “I would like to call out to our elected officials and leaders, to producers and food retailers, to citizens: Direct Market is here, we are together. We are actively participating in restoring the situation by helping to start on new, supportive, respectful and innovative bases.”
“Direct Market is a facilitator, new and operational right now, of relationships between producers and retailers who do not know each other yet. Currently, we are even working with producers and supermarkets in order to ensure the removal of products from the farms, a difficult topic for the GSA, and even more for the producers. Today, the GSA is asking us to support them.”
“We want to help rebalance the supply in France. I believe that it is a strong and easy solution to implement in these difficult times. We are working for all, without subscription and with the greatest empathy. Tomorrow can no longer be as before. Let us work together to create a sustainable world.”
The current situation at Rungis
For more information:
Sébastien Pelka
Direct Market
www.direct-market.fr