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This small Gironde village 3 hours from Toulouse has just been voted Europe's best organic town

undefined undefined 17 octobre 2026 undefined 18h00

The Editor

This charming little town in the Gironde region has just won a tremendous European accolade. With its 7,000 m² municipal vegetable garden, its dedicated market gardener, and a canteen that champions organic produce, Cussac-Fort-Médoc has been crowned "Europe's Best Organic City" at the EU Organic Awards 2026. An award that celebrates a food model that's as virtuous as it is inspiring.

On September 23, 2026, in Brussels, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, a municipality of 2,326 residents located in the Médoc region, won the award for "best organic city" presented as part of the European Organic Awards. Behind this recognition: a municipal project that makes it possible to grow a portion of the vegetables served daily to schoolchildren, without transport or extra costs.

An organic garden of 7,000 m² just steps away from school

In Cussac-Fort-Médoc, vegetables don't travel across France before reaching dinner plates. They grow just a few meters from the cafeteria, in a 7,000 m² municipal organic garden.

David Ducasse, a market gardener employed by the municipality, cultivates fruits and vegetables for the children in tune with the seasons. Carrots, leeks, potatoes, and sweet potatoes: local production covers approximately 50% of the fresh vegetable needs for the 230 meals prepared daily.

An approach that limits packaging and transportation, while guaranteeing the freshness of products.

A cafeteria that's over 50% organic, without raising prices

Behind this initiative lies an ambition championed by mayor Dominique Fédieu: to make healthy, local, and organic food accessible to the children of the community. Committed since 2017 to this transition, the municipality has gradually developedrelied on its own agricultural production. The result: over 50% organic products in school menus, with no increase in meal costs linked to the program.

And when harvests exceed the cafeteria's needs, vegetables don't go to waste. The surplus benefits food assistance organizations, as well as local restaurants and shops.


A small village in Gironde that became a European example

The project goes far beyond filling plates. Thanks to the vegetable garden's proximity, students can discover crops, follow the growth of vegetables, and understand where the food they eat comes from.

This educational and environmental approach won over the jury of the EU Organic Awards 2026, which preferred Cussac-Fort-Médoc to the two other finalists in its category: Hellemmes, near Lille, and Turin, in Italy.

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