Loire/Haute-Loire. These Velay producers are already bringing back their strawberries

Maison Guérin, Red Pearls of Velay in Jonzieux

On 1.9 hectares, located in the town of Jonzieux, Isabelle Guérin cultivates the Red and Black Pearls of Velay. The farm, which specializes in local strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, was founded by her husband in 2004 and was taken over by Isabelle after his death in 2018. Today, on average, 25 tons of strawberries and 10 tons of Loire raspberries are sold by the farmer for consumption as a ‘food product’ or for making jam.

Isabelle Guérin is a member of the Economic Interest Group “GIE Fruits Rouges Les Monts du Velay” and sells her production through this appellation, but also collaborates with some bakeries and pastry chefs, and in direct sales, especially for the production of jam by private individuals: “I sell jam fruits cheaper – charge an average of 4 euros per kilo – it is a delicious anti-waste alternative for misshapen fruits, a…