Camille ROSA

A table of solidarity, open to all

On the edge of the Saint-Mathieu district in downtown Perpignan, if you open the doors of Miam Collectif, you’ll find yourself in a very special kind of restaurant. It’s a solidarity-based bar and canteen, “in other words, open to all, with an annual membership of 5 euros and free prices”, explains co-founder Camille Rosa.

A place for encounters and opportunities

The project came into being in 2018, set up by a group of five people “sharing this same desire to create places for encounters, places for opportunities”, says Camille Rosa.

The collective therefore began by organizing culinary, cultural and solidarity events, before moving into its first rented premises in the center of Perpignan. “It’s not by chance that we’ve put down roots here. It’s at the origin of our project to createsocial bonds in the heart of a ‘peripheralized’ city that’s experiencing commercial desertification and great economic insecurity.”

This first solidarity-based canteen is being launched at a very special time: early 2020, at the very start of the Covid crisis. “As an association, we were able to remain open despite the pandemic. This gave full meaning to our inclusive project, where we set up solidarity meals for people in difficulty. At the same time, it intensified the dynamic of our collective, which is still going strong today. For both employees and volunteers, it made us want to get involved even more.

A place open to the neighbourhood

In September 2023, Miam Collectif began a new chapter, moving to another location close to the first. “We wanted to become owners of our premises. It was a very important lever to anchor us more firmly in the area and strenghten our project.”

As a result, the team opened a café in addition to the solidarity-based canteen, and launched various free activities for local residents (culinary workshops, production of a gazette, organization of a feminist festival, creation of a play by the Théâtre de l’Opprimé…). And always with two watchwords in mind: solidarity and inclusiveness. Meals are freely priced, with a minimum contribution of 2 euros for the most disadvantaged, a recommanded price estimated at 12 euros, and a support price of 15 euros or more. “Everyone has the choice of positioning themselves according to their current situation. Today, out of our 2,500 members, a third of meals are priced at 2 euros and 50 to 60% at less than 12 euros. This illustrates the financial difficulties we face. And we can also count on local companies and associations who come to eat with us and can pay a little more.

To maintain this balance of solidarity, Miam Collectif collects fruit and vegetables ready to be thrown away from partner wholesalers, organic stores and local producers. The association also receives financial support from the region, the local authority and various national funds (for association development, for national cohesion and for family benefits),

A driving force in local community life

Along the way, Miam Collectif met with France Active back in 2018. ” We found a lot of help and advice in drawing up our business plan. They were also very supportive in all the steps involved in acquiring the premises. When you’re an association, the confidence that investors give you is key. France Active was there to give us that confidence and to convince the other financiers. It wasn’t easy, but they were on our side”, Camille Rosa recalls.

Today, the Miam Collectif is going from strength to strength. And what about the future? “Among other things, we’re looking into the possibility of obtaining the “social living space” accreditation from the family benefits fund (CAF) to secure our funding. This would enable us to step up our activities and welcome other associations or groups to our space, thereby driving a real local solidarity dynamic”, concludes Camille Rosa.