Maraîcher in Brindas, Alexandre Lhopital Shares Update on Local Facebook Group for Western Lyon Residents

Brindas, France – A local vegetable farmer from Brindas has turned to social media to rally community support for his farm’s direct sales initiative, sparking a strong response from residents in the western Lyon area.

Alexandre Lhopital, a market gardener operating under the GAEC Les Pinots Lhopital, shared a post three weeks ago on a Facebook group for residents of Ouest Lyonnais, announcing his plans to launch a weekly farm stand selling produce grown on his land. The post, which outlined his vision for a direct-to-consumer sales point, quickly gained traction, generating over 150 engagements within two days.

The GAEC Les Pinots Lhopital, officially registered as an agricultural cooperative with the Lyon Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés under SIREN 431453638, is based at 160 Chemin des Granges in Brindas. The enterprise specializes in market gardening, focusing on the cultivation of vegetables, melons, roots, and tubers, as reflected in its NAF code 0113Z.

The farm has been in operation since its registration on May 1, 2000, and underwent a structural change in January 2024, when the general meeting of associates decided to transform the GAEC into a sole-member EARL (Exploitation Agricole à Responsabilité Limitée). This change, formalized with the Lyon Registry, maintains Alexandre Lhopital as the managing director, with the company’s capital set at €23,250 and a duration of 99 years.

In his Facebook post, Lhopital expressed interest in establishing a regular evening market stand, initially proposing Fridays from 5 p.m. To 7 p.m., with the possibility of expanding pickup days for pre-ordered vegetable baskets. While the exact schedule for basket collections remains under consideration, the initiative reflects a growing trend among local producers to shorten supply chains and connect directly with consumers.

The post appeared in a community-focused Facebook group dedicated to residents of Brindas and surrounding communes in the Rhône department, where users frequently exchange information about local events, services, and neighborhood initiatives. The rapid response to Lhopital’s announcement indicates sustained public interest in accessing locally grown, sustainably produced food.

As of the latest available records, the GAEC Les Pinots Lhopital continues to operate as an agricultural enterprise committed to reasoned farming practices, aligning with broader regional efforts to promote environmental stewardship and food sovereignty in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.