A family business specialized in fruit and vegetable growing for three generations, JP Scardigli et Fils operates 13 hectares of greenhouses of the plastic tunnel type in Arles, where fruits and vegetables are grown exclusively in the ground. Besides the Grand Frais stores, its clients include wholesalers and retailers. Consumers tend to be increasingly interested in “good products,” explains Jean-Pascal Scardigli, manager of the company.
“Today, we are no longer seen as a vegetable factory. We harvest our products daily and deliver timely to our clients every day. It is our hallmark, and it is what attracts and reassures our clients. We can see that on the shelves.”
In the summer, JP Scardigli works three crops: zucchinis, early Charentais melons and eggplants. “Besides some rotation issues, this system allows us to prevent potential bad sales from one of the crops,” explains Jean-Pascal. “In high season (spring/summer), we have about 20 employees. In the low season (winter/fall), we are down to five permanent workers with automated crops: young salad shoots and spinach.”
Charentais melons, zucchinis and young shoots
Jean-Pascal adds that this is the nicest yet the most difficult profession in the world. For JB Scardigli et Fils, the biggest challenge remains profitability. Despite the increasingly demanding specifications and standards, selling prices have not evolved for years.
“We feed our population and we are often perceived negatively...it is quite paradoxical but that’s the way it is. We constantly question ourselves in order to improve. And that’s what I like the most. My expectations are simple. I want to produce more and more healthy, as we have been doing for 30 years with integrated pest management, and just live off the fruit of our hard work. I am a simple guy and I have no particular needs besides transmitting what my ancestors have built.”
For more information:
JP Scardigli et Fils
Phone: +33 (0)6 18 61 11 28
scardigli.jp@orange.fr