Its run-of-river market: back to an ecological future

The Water Market: a different way to shop!

In Southeast Asia, water markets attract tourists looking for authenticity and beautiful images. But for consumers concerned about their carbon impact, no need to go that far to taste the joys of these markets. Since May 2012, the Marché sur l'eau (Water Market) has been offering city dwellers the opportunity to buy fruit and vegetables produced in Île-de-France and transported by river to Paris and Pantin. Claire-Emmannuelle Hue's idea to supply Parisian neighbourhoods with locally produced food transported exclusively by river. 

Each week, between three and six tonnes of fruit and vegetables will be transported on a barge from Claye-Souilly in Seine et Marne to Paris, Place Stalingrad in the 19th arrondissement. 

The Parisian canals represent more than a hundred kilometres of waterways: the Canal Saint-Martin, the Canal Saint-Denis, the Canal de l'Ourq... And are themselves tributaries of the Seine, the Oise, the Marne... So why not use river transport? Historically, it is for this reason that the major market-gardening areas are located close to waterways: the Meaux and Melun region, in Seine et Marne, the loops of the Seine in the Oise valley... using these waterways to deliver fruit and vegetables to Paris is therefore very consistent!

A gamble that meets three objectives: to support regional market gardening that respects the environment; to raise awareness of sustainable food consumption; and to reduce the environmental footprint of freight transport in Ile-de-France.

This riverside AMAP distributes fresh and local produce (produced within 40 km of Paris) twice a week. The fruit and vegetables are collected from the producers by vehicles running on clean energy, and then loaded onto a river barge. It replaces the equivalent of 10 lorries in road transport, thus limiting pollution and congestion problems. Navigating on the Ourcq canal, the produce is distributed on the quay, in Paris and Pantin, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

How do you get these baskets?

There are two solutions: live purchase on the stand, or a subscription system with 10 weekly baskets. The products are also available on the internet, with the webshop. In just a few clicks, we manage orders, payments and delivery schedules. And to do your shopping in a joyful and friendly atmosphere, various events are organized for deliveries: on May 19, the Marché sur l'eau joined the Food Revolution Day, set up by the English chef, to celebrate Food Revolution Day. Jamie Oliver.

http://www.marchesurleau.com/

(Source : mescoursespourlaplanete.com / August 2012)

{Jacuzzi on}