There are key figures in the organic world. People we often hear about, who we can't miss, and who honor Natexpo with their presence. Today, we meet Fanny Lemaire, president ofInterbio Pays de la Loire.
Hello Fanny, Can you introduce yourself in a few words: who are you, where are you from, what do you do?
Coming from an agricultural background, after years of management in commercial groups of arboriculturists, I have been involved for 30 years in organic farming, first as a wholesaler of organic fruits and vegetables and as a trainer in the specialized network.
The mission of Interbio Pays de la Loire (like all Interbio or regional collectives) is to promote regional organic products to communities for the Egalim law, organic stores, EAP, and GMS for local organic products and to promote meetings for all stakeholders who need a connection in our sector. So I am the volunteer sales representative for the Pays de Loire regional organic sector (laughs)
Organic has been hit hard in recent months; times are tough. How are you handling it?
I am from the pioneer family, since the 1er "organic" product (we said natural at the time), is Lemaire bread in 1920 and the Lemaire-Boucher method was born in 1964. There were battles until the official recognition of organic in 1980 in France and 1999/2000 for European regulations. It is a force that we do not use enough with the general public. Let's join forces to convince elected officials to apply the Egalim law, I would dare to say "I thank the elected officials for applying the law" AND let's inform the citizen about organic regulations, that they are official and that we are the most controlled sector. Today we scientifically know the benefits of organic. The positive environmental externalities are incontestable and essential;
Our events: We duplicated the national “BIO Réflexe” campaign in the region on the occasion of organic spring, and ANGERS welcomed the BIOTOURS bus on May 18th, as part ofBio AgencyAll members of our INTERBIO (producers, processors, distributors) were present to offer tastings of our local organic products and explain the technical rules of organic production and processing.
Organic farming must regain its balance in its fundamentals and the values it has always carried AND it must be gourmet and festive. I have confidence in our DNA.
What advice can you give to organic companies?
Who am I to give advice to anyone, especially not to our entrepreneurs, for whom I have the greatest admiration?
However, if my optimism can be useful, then let's go for it; innovation is essential to the life of a company. The organic sector has always been innovative; it is even a source of creation that the traditional food industry knows perfectly well how to duplicate;
Looking at all the innovations you have presented and brought to Natexpo since its inception, we can clearly see the wealth and skills of our entrepreneurs.
STRENGTHENING THE PROMOTION OF OUR SECTOR: It is obvious that meeting at events, whether regional or national, is essential to present new products; I am thinking of plant-based products, "do it yourself", compostable packaging, bulk products, reuse (raw materials and packaging combined), products without (nitrites, gluten and all allergens), solid cosmetics... And all the societal and environmental initiatives of our entrepreneurs: passive buildings, the circular economy, CSR... All these innovations have been a spearhead for both eating habits and environmental issues. So, it seems important to me to show stability in our actions with industry meetings and confidence in our market thanks to innovations.
You seem resolutely optimistic, full of joie de vivre: what is your secret?
Organic is about life, and it's well known that as long as there is life, there is hope. I have confidence in our organic food. All scientific studies prove it, all environmental studies say it. The sad reality of climate change and the rise of chronic diseases unfortunately prove us right.
It is up to us to be “all for one and one for all”.
