I recently participated in a cooking class held by Jean Marc Villard of French Cuisine cooking classes in Maubec. Jean Marc, passionate about local produce, started the class by taking us to Naturellement Paysan, the local farmers cooperative in Coustellet. See my article on the gourmet cooking class.
This cooperative is not only amazing if you can’t make it to your nearest Provencal market, it also stocks products that you can only buy directly from the producers such as award-winning saucisson, meats, and cheeses. You can be assured that the animals used to make these products live with dignity and even very happily!
The cooperative is made up of 60 producers, many of which are organic certified. You’ll find fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry products, cheese, honey, jam, ice cream, eggs, juice, wine, soap and more. You’ll see unusual products made in small batches. For example, Jean-Marc explained that the jam producer tried a new product this year because the apricot crop came in early and there was an abundance of poppies this spring. The resulting jam…apricots with poppy petals. Wonderful! I bet you can’t find that in your local grocery store.
In the back of the shop, you can see a map where all the farms are located.
At Naturallement Paysan, the farmers set their own, fair prices. There is no middle man. Therefore, not only is the produce incredibly fresh with deliveries every day, but it’s also at the best price possible.
The farmers take turns working at the store. It’s a pleasure to see that many are young. Since their job is difficult, it seems they don’t mind working at the coop; it’s like a vacation compared to taking care of crops! By shopping here, you’ll know exactly what you’re eating comes from, as well as meet the person who made it.
If you’re a fan of supporting local growers, it doesn’t get any better than this. Although this is an hour away from me, I plan on buying freezer bags (available at the store) and stocking up on just about everything!
Naturellement Paysan is open all year round and only sells in-season products.
Monday-Saturday: 9am-12h30- 14h30/19h
111 Chemin des Guillaumets, 84660 Coustellet
04.90.05.59.08
All the ingredients to make your soupe au pistou. My Favourite soup of all time. Bring on the pistou! (provencal version of pesto)
I had no idea that pasta was produced in Provence!
It’s law in France, even at the market, that you’re informed what country the produce was grown in. Not only do you have the country on this sign, but the farm as well.
Artisinal soap using wild plants found in the region.
Naturellement Paysan is also a great place to find out about local festivals celebrating produce such as this one celebrating biodynamic wine from the region.
The markets of Provence :
[…] to showcase the amazing local produce that Provence has to offer. I was so impressed with the cooperative Naturellement Paysan in Coustellet that I wrote an article about […]