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Opening of a community canteen in Romans-sur-Isère

Date

2024

Localisation

France

Les Petites Cantines Romans-sur-Isère wins the setec Foundation’s Transition 2024 Fund!

Les Petites Cantines Romans-sur-Isère is an independent association of the Réseau des Petites Cantines.

 

The Petites Cantines network :

The Réseau des Petites Cantines is made up of 14 open canteens and 15 canteens under construction across France, as well as a national association responsible for supporting local canteens by identifying their needs, expertise and necessary resources. Each Petites Cantines is therefore independent, and is supported by a “talent developer” from the Network.

The DNA of Petites Cantines is :

  • Social impact to combat isolation and strengthen local social ties
  • Links with research
  • Advocacy and communication
  • Development of new canteens

The Petites Cantines community in France is made up of nearly 35 salaried employees, some 20 civic service volunteers and over 15,000 active members.

 

Petites Cantines are :

  • Participative: The meal is an opportunity to meet guests from other generations and backgrounds. Everything is done to facilitate exchanges, to feel connected to others, and to reconnect with a sense of social usefulness. Everyone pitches in, from preparing the meal to cleaning up and washing up!
  • Free contribution: Everyone contributes an amount of their choice to cover costs. This makes it possible to welcome a very wide audience. Les Petites Cantines communicates transparently about the cost of a meal and its economic model.
  • Sustainable: Les Petites Cantines wants to take care of both its guests and the planet, and favors sustainable food, through identified criteria: local production, short circuits, organic farming, reduction of animal proteins, collection of unsold organic produce, bulk purchasing.

Les Petites Cantines Romans-sur-Isère and the project

The aim of the project is to open a canteen in Romans-sur-Isère, France, to combat isolation and strengthen social ties.

The Petites Cantines de Romans-sur-Isère team was formed in April 2023, followed by the creation of an independent local association in August of the same year. The next step was to look for a local future and raise funds, organizing parallel mobilization events such as ephemeral canteens to publicize the association. This stage continued throughout 2024, with the organization of ephemeral canteens every two months, the development of local associative life, ongoing communication and the mobilization of volunteers…

The future canteen premises are ideally located in the heart of the town. It comprises 2 adjoining 55m2 rooms. In addition to the activities of Les Petites Cantines, the premises will offer a co-working space and will also be ideal for organizing parties and events.

The association will pay rent, which the owner has agreed to reduce in the form of a donation, thus becoming a partner in the project.

To turn the premises into a future canteen, renovation work will begin in March 2025, with the organization of volunteer workcamps to paint and build furniture.

Inauguration of the canteen is scheduled for September 2025!

The role of the setec Foundation

The setec Foundation is providing 20,000 euros for the renovation of the premises.

Aurélie Gagnepain, our set by setec collaborator, will support the structure throughout the project as godmother and relay to the setec Foundation.

An overview of the business model

capturehf

Expertises

Transition Fund

Key figures

20 000 €