The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is increasing its autonomy in local and quality food supply.

The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has acquired plots of land to set up new farmers. The goal is to increase its autonomy in local and quality food and to encourage organic market gardening.

Driven by its 51 mayors, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis has made the maintenance and development of agricultural activity in its territory one of its action priorities. It aims to promote high-quality agriculture with short supply chains, nurturing and addressing the challenges of ecological transition.

By consuming local, organic, and seasonal foods, we reduce the environmental impact of our food consumption. Indeed, foods from short supply chains undergo fewer treatments, less transportation, and less packaging. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. Moreover, by buying locally, we contribute to the livelihood of our neighborhood. It is therefore a way to bring a bit of humanity back into our consumption habits.

Thus, the Metropolis acquired in 2021 two fallow agricultural plots in the town of La Roquette-sur-Var. This was followed by a call for applications to select and allocate these lands to a farmer who can exploit them following the organic farming specifications. Tim Arbman, a young farmer from Broc, was selected. This Friday, April 21, this new agricultural exploitation in La Roquette-sur-Var was inaugurated.

Tim Arbman is committed to:

• organic market gardening production in open fields and under greenhouses
• distribution in short supply chains with weekly markets directly on-site
• a renewable 9-year rural lease

These initial plots were acquired by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis for €664,640, which also covered the cost of the work. In return, a renewable 9-year rural lease requiring the cultivation to follow the organic farming specifications was imposed.