Today’s research stops in Montpellier were centered on the ways social solidarity and cooperation are practiced in short circuit (in the city of Montpellier) food systems (SCFSs). The sites are all powered by a shared political motivation: food democracy, citizen autonomy, and dignified access to quality food are necessary characteristics of transforming the food landscape. Today’s sites were all guided by the acknowledgement that food is a tool of political power, and that providing food through a variety of access points is a provision of human rights and social solidarity. I found it inspiring that these missions were carried out by a combination of actors: La Caisse alimentaire Commune: La Cagette (private business), l’Esperluette (social project, government funding) and VRAC (city project).

Our first stop took us to BioCoop (an organic grocery store) to discuss Montpellier’s common food fund. This BioCoop location participates in the project and accepts MonA, and the store owner acknowledged that stores like BioCoop have an air of privilege to them, so MonA helps to diversify clientele and expand access to organic products that could be hard to come by. The MonA system is a sociological research project that provides money (MonA currency) monthly, funded by 50% member and 50% city contribution. MonA is for anyone: participants represent diverse ages and incomes to highlight that food security programs are not poor people programs- food funds benefit the well-being of everyone. 

Next we visited La Caisse alimentaire Commune: La Cagette, a grocery cooperative. Members pay a one-time fee of €10 (decreased from €100 based on feedback and economic ability/profitability) and work 3 hours a week for the cooperative. Our guide explained that the 3 hours working a month obligation is more “collectively doing your part”, not “volunteering to something you’re external to”. The members can participate in the organization of the cooperative via committees and weekly, open assemblies. Increasing access to food is a priority for them, but I noticed a nearly all-white membership. Our point-person said that membership is primarily white and educated and that this privilege is a barrier to expanding food access, but targeting underprivileged folks is not a current priority of the cooperative. 

We then visited L’Esperuette, a food option representing social solidarity and food access in a neighborhood of high precarity and low quality food options. It is a way social behavior around food can change. The site was created with guidance by neighborhood residents, Pauline Scherer (sociologist with food systems solidarity expertise), and funding from the Metropole of Montpellier. It features a kitchen for communal cooking, a cafe/restaurant, and a grocery with bulk and organic options. The grocery did not seem to have sufficient supply for it to be a one-stop food source, so it’s more of a supplemental option. However, the 5 new food hubs like this in construction will be larger to provide more to more people. 

(Eliette Whittaker, March 13th, 2025) Photo of available products at l’Esperluette.

Our last research point was VRAC. This is a location for providing quality food with dignity at a lowered cost. It represents a common form of increasing access- using the capacity of social groups to purchase large quantities at low costs, ie bulk purchasing. There are over 100 diverse products available, ~50% locally (Montpellier) sourced and ~50% imported. I noticed that the shoppers were primarily people of color and the employees/volunteers were primarily white, which touches on the whiteness of 3rd places. VRAC members are encouraged to share time working there too, which works to instill participative democracy into the mission. Through discussing with VRAC leaders and observing the space, it was evident that this mission is fueled by social solidarity and using food as a political tool towards social change. 

(Eliette Whittaker, March 13th, 2025) Photo of the distribution set-up and products available at VRAC.