The cooperative
“Le paniers de la mule” was imagined in 2020 and launched in early 2021 after 8 months of volunteer work. We are a member of the FRACP (Fédération Romande d’Agriculture Contractuelle de Proximité) and we firmly believe in the model of “Agriculture Contractuelle de Proximité”, which allows cooperators to join forces to reappropriate the production of their food. Member participation allows the cooperative to offer decent wages to its employees while maintaining affordable prices for local organic vegetables.
By means of establishing a garden in the city of Prilly, our goal is to participate in our own way in the ecological transition of the Lausanne region. By mixing an educational, social and productive vision, this agroecological alternative will aim to bring consumers and producers closer together. In order to imagine this project and its implementation, we based ourselves on the many existing models of cooperatives and micro-farms on a national and even international level.
The municipality of Prilly supports us by making land available to us for ten years, which allows us to envisage a sustainable agricultural production, which ensures stable agricultural jobs, and a local production of vegetables for our cooperators.
Our raison d’être
“We are local residents concerned about the degradation of our environment who wish to explore, propose and promote a healthy and local alternative.
We cultivate the land in a way that respects all forms of life, to produce tasty vegetables*, by involving the cooperators and creating a link with our gardeners.
We address ourselves first to the beneficiaries of the vegetable baskets but also to any interested person so that everyone can share resources and knowledge in a welcoming environment.”
*and a lot of other things that can be eaten…
Our values
Sustainbility
We preserve the environment in which we operate, regenerate it as much as possible and take care of the interactions between humans and non-humans.
Food independence
We produce our food locally by controlling the value and material chains. We offer dignified working conditions to our farmers.
Equality
We respect every human being regardless of gender, physical appearance, origin, age and social status..
Conviviality
We create a warm, participatory environment that is conducive to sharing and meeting.
Engagement
We want each person to be involved in the project, in order to bring it together towards its goal. To do this we value the talents, resources and energy that each person offers.
How we operate
We organize ourselves according to principles of shared governance, with independent workgroups that are responsible for different aspects of the life of the cooperative. We invite everyone to join one or more work groups, depending on their interests.
The official organs of the cooperative represent it and bear responsibility for its actions:
- the general assembly. It is the head of the cooperative and has the final say in all decisions. It meets at least once a year or at the request of at least 10% of the members. Each member has one vote.
- an administration. It is elected by the general assembly, which delegates to it the management of the day-to-day affairs of the cooperative. Members may request that an extraordinary general meeting be held at any time, by making a request to it (coordination/at/lamule.ch).
Our working groups
Coordination
Organizes the general assemblies and coordiates the different working groups.
Finances
Responsible for budgeting and financing.
Communication
Tasked with internal communication to the members and with all external partners, interested persons or the media via social media and other channels.
Farming
Organizes everything related to the growing of the vegetables such as cultivation plans, needed materials or training of the members.
Education
Responsible for the creation and supervision of the educational program of the cooperative such as welcoming groups to our lots or offering training to the general public.
Administration
Responsible for the administrative set-up and management of the consumer cooperative.
Logistics
Responsible for the participative work sessions on the fields and the deliveries of vegetables.
Volunteers
Responsible to welcome all volunteers on the fields and for the distribution of the vegetables.
Ideas
We are happy to hear your ideas on how to improve the cooperative.
Contact us!