L'Usine Végétale

What L'Usine Végétale does

L'Usine Végétale is a French non-profit association (Association déclarée under loi 1901), founded in 2018 and headquartered at 8 au Communal, Lieu-dit La Bombarde, 33230 Le Fieu, in the rural Nord-Libournais area of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It operates as a 'tiers-lieu' (third place) — a community-oriented physical hub structured around three constituent founding associations: Atelier 209 (project support and incubation), Cargo 209 (cultural events and mediation), and Cantine 209 (food and local produce initiatives). The '209' name references the territory's postal code, symbolizing 'sang neuf' (new blood) for innovation in rural areas.

The organization delivers an integrated portfolio of services spanning project accompaniment, environmental education, eco-construction training, cultural mediation (including the Sentier Demain la Double art trail and the Micro-Folie digital museum), space rental, an associative community kitchen with sliding-scale meals, and a range of wellness activities (Medi-Yoga, Taï Chi, Hatha Yoga, Didgeridoo, Shiatsu, body care). Its food vertical is anchored by the Cuisine POP / 'Mieux Manger Pour Tous' program and L'Etape Locale, which aggregate organic produce from five named local producers (Ah mais légumes bio, Ferme du Caillaud, Fournil de l'Ombriière, Ferme des Jarouilles, Jardin de ZakYom) for bi-monthly distribution to Nord-Libournais residents.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of voluntary membership contributions (starting at €1), solidarity-priced activity fees (€3.50-€7 meals, €15 yoga), space rental, modest margins on local food sales, and a diversified base of public grants from national, regional, departmental, and municipal French authorities plus multiple foundations. The organization is governed by President Richard Michel, operates with approximately 10 employees, and serves two main segments: local residents of Nord-Libournais (primary) and local professionals and businesses (secondary). No technology platform or digital products are developed in-house.

Name

L'Usine Végétale

Legal name

Usine Végétale 209 – Association déclarée

Website

https://usinevegetale.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

L'Usine Végétale is a French non-profit tiers-lieu founded in 2018 in Le Fieu, Nord-Libournais, operating as a rural third place via three constituent associations (Atelier 209, Cargo 209, Cantine 209). It delivers project support, eco-construction training, cultural mediation, wellness activities, and local organic food distribution to residents of Nord-Libournais.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services — Rural Third Place

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAD

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAGAI

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYAFAIACAG

Local / Farm-to-Wholesale Produce Aggregation & Distribution

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Distribution & Wholesale/Produce (Fresh Fruit & Vegetable) Wholesale

SECONDARYCRAHAEAJ

Natural/Organic Food Co-ops & Community Natural Grocers

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Natural/Organic & Health Food Stores

Keywords

• Community third place
• Local food distribution
• Eco-construction training
• Cultural mediation
• Wellness activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Fieu

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Community membership and donations: Open membership model with voluntary contributions ('Prix libre / à partir de 1€') supporting the association's operations and programs.
2. Activity and workshop fees: Revenue from well-being classes (yoga, tai chi), cultural events, and other activities offered at the tiers-lieu.
3. Local food sales (L'Etape Locale): Sale of local organic products including vegetable baskets, eggs, bread, and dairy products through a bi-monthly distribution model connecting local producers with consumers.
4. Space rental: Rental of meeting spaces and facilities at the tiers-lieu for events and activities.
5. Public funding and grants: Financial support from institutional partners including government bodies (Ministry, Region, Department, Prefecture) and foundations supporting social and environmental transitions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

L'Usine Végétale operates a rural tiers-lieu (community third place) in Le Fieu, Nord-Libournais, offering a combination of cultural events, well-being classes, environmental education, eco-construction training, project incubation, space rental, and a community kitchen/restaurant. Its signature food program (Cuisine POP / L'Etape Locale) distributes organic local produce (vegetables, eggs, bread, dairy, poultry) from regional producers to local residents on a bi-monthly basis. The organization is structured as three founding associations — Atelier 209, Cargo 209, and Cantine 209 — addressing environmental, social, economic, and digital transitions in rural territories.

Product overview

L'Usine Végétale operates as a unified multi-service platform combining a rural third-place community center (tiers-lieu) with three founding associations (Atelier 209, Cargo 209, Cantine 209). The organization offers an integrated portfolio of services including: community space rental and event hosting; project incubation and professional support; environmental education and eco-construction training; cultural mediation and artistic programming (including the Demain la Double art trail and Micro-Folie digital museum); wellness activities (Medi-Yoga, Taï Chi, Hatha Yoga, Didgeridoo, Shiatsu, body care); and a comprehensive local food system through its Cuisine POP program and L'Etape Locale distribution service connecting consumers with regional organic producers. The various programs interconnect to serve the local community across cultural, environmental, social, and economic transition objectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atelier 209: One of the three founding associations, focused on project support and accompaniment.
• Cargo 209
• Cantine 209
• L'Étape Locale
• Cuisine PoP

Products and services

• Accompagnement de projets Project support and incubation services for local residents and professionals, helping them develop and structure their ideas into concrete projects.
• Formations à l'éco-construction Training programs focused on eco-construction techniques and sustainable building practices.
• Education à l'environnement Environmental education programs raising awareness about ecological transitions and sustainable practices for the local community.
• Actions & Médiations culturelles Cultural mediation activities and actions promoting arts and cultural engagement, including performances, exhibitions, and cultural events.
• Location d'espaces Rental of shared spaces and facilities for community gatherings, events, workshops, and professional activities.
• Cuisine et restauration associative Community kitchen and associative restaurant offering shared meals with sliding-scale pricing (€3.50 accessible, €5 real, €7 supportive).
• Cuisine POP (Mieux Manger en Nord-Libournais) Local food program connecting consumers with regional producers, promoting healthy, quality, local, and sustainable food while supporting circular economy and social bonds. Free participation with membership.
• L'Etape Locale Monthly local organic produce distribution service run by Cantine 209, providing baskets of vegetables, poultry, eggs, bread, and dairy products from local producers.
• Ateliers bien-être & loisirs (Wellness activities) Suite of well-being activities including Medi-Yoga (twice weekly), Taï Chi (weekly Fridays), Hatha Yoga (weekly Fridays), Didgeridoo lessons (weekly Thursdays), Shiatsu (by appointment), PEPS physical exercise prescription program, and body care/massage sessions.
• Hatha-Yoga en forêt Forest-based yoga sessions with Vanessa, offering one-hour outdoor practice for all levels at €15 per person, focused on reconnection with nature.
• Aide au numérique Digital assistance service helping users with administrative tasks and digital literacy.
• Ateliers thématiques (chorale, balades nature, cuisine, potager) Recurring workshops including weekly choir sessions, nature walks for toddlers and families with young children, cooking workshops focused on healthy and zero-waste cooking, and gardening exchange sessions.
• Sentier Demain la Double Contemporary art trail in the forest featuring artistic installations, combining nature, imagination and artistic experiences.
• Musée Numérique Micro-Folie Digital museum space allowing access to masterpieces from major national and international museums.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• La Commune du FieucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Le Fieu providing local political support and territorial partnership for the tiers-lieu's activities in the commune.
• Ah mais légumes bio (Guillaume)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organic vegetable producer based in Saint-Christophe-de-Double supplying fresh produce for the Etape Locale food distribution program. Core producer partner for local food access initiatives.
• Ferme du Caillaud (Maxime)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic poultry farm in Saint-Christophe-de-Double supplying bio chicken and guinea fowl products through the Etape Locale program.
• Fournil de l'Ombrière (Yaël)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic bakery in Eygurande-et-Gardedeuil supplying bread and pastries for the local food distribution program.
• Ferme des Jarouilles (Famille Tite)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic dairy farm in Coutras supplying milk, yogurt, cream, and cheese products for the Etape Locale program.
• Jardin de ZakYomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic farm in Saint-Antoine-Sur-l'Isle supplying bio eggs for the local food distribution program.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• La Ferme du Bonheur: Normandy-based social enterprise farm offering cultural events, local food, and community workshops. Comparable as a rural community hub blending local food, cultural mediation, and environmental education.
• La Recyclerie: Paris-based tiers-lieu combining restaurant, cultural programming, urban garden, and community activities on a rehabilitated site. Directly comparable multi-service community model with similar reliance on public funding and volunteer engagement.
• Le 100e Singe: Normandy-based tiers-lieu combining coworking, cultural events, local food, and community programming. Comparable multi-service rural third-place model with similar revenue diversification.
• Bouge Ton Coq: French non-profit focused on rural revitalization through citizen-led projects and community enterprise support. Directly comparable in mission around revitalizing rural French territories and supporting local entrepreneurs.

Broad incumbents

• Fermes d'Avenir: French social enterprise supporting sustainable agriculture and agroecology transition with national reach. Comparable as a broader actor promoting sustainable food systems and rural transition, of which L'Usine Végétale is a local manifestation.
• Enactus France: National non-profit supporting student-led social enterprises, including in food systems and rural development. Comparable as a broader social-enterprise support organization operating in similar French funding and policy networks.

Others

• La Collective des Tiers-Lieux: French national network representing and supporting tiers-lieux. Relevant as the umbrella/ecosystem organization in which L'Usine Végétale participates, providing policy advocacy, training, and funding access.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UsineVegetale
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usine-vegetale
• Instagraminstagram.com/usine_vegetale

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about L'Usine Végétale