The Kale Project supports French farmers. They are outside of Paris, in Flers, Lyon, Tarascon and many more. Not one is outside of France. I do not import kale from any other countries – even European countries. I do not support Monsanto and am disappointed in my country for what they are letting Monsanto get away with. I am not trying to take over Brittany. There is not a multinational company backing this movement. While I work with both bio and conventional farmers, I encourage everyone to eat a bio diet when possible.
The Kale Project soutient les agriculteurs français. Nos producteurs sont en dehors de Paris, à Flers, Lyon et Tarascon, entres autres. Pas un n’est à l’étranger. Je n’importe pas de chou, d’aucun autre pays – même pas de pays européens. Je ne soutiens pas Monsanto et je suis déçue par la façon dont mon pays laisse Monsanto s’en tirer. Je n’essaie pas de conquérir la Bretagne. Il n’y a pas de multinationale derrière ce mouvement. Bien que je travaille avec des agriculteurs à la fois bio et conventionnels, j’encourage tout le monde à manger une alimentation bio si possible.
The Kale Project began as a passion project because I could not find this specific variety of cabbage in Paris markets. I asked farmers, distributors, restaurants, French food bloggers: most did not know what it was. Is it a type of cabbage? Yes. Is it chou frisé? No. Chou frisé is savoy cabbage. They are in the same family but different.
The Kale Project a commencé comme un projet de passion parce que je ne pouvais pas trouver cette variété spécifique de chou sur les marchés parisiens. J’ai demandé à des agriculteurs, des distributeurs, des restaurants, des blogueurs alimentaires français: la plupart ne savaient pas ce que c’était. Est-ce un type de chou? Oui. Est-ce du chou frisé? Le chou frisé est un chou de Milan (Savoy Cabbage). Ils appartiennent à la même famille, mais sont différents.
After spending two months researching the history of kale and cabbages in Europe and how other cultures eat kale (like Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and such), and realizing that it was very difficult to find in France, I launched the Project. I launched it with no money and without making any money. There is not a big media campaign behind the movement. It’s a poorly-designed blog with a Facebook page. That is all.
Après avoir passé deux mois à faire des recherches sur l’histoire des choux-raves et choux en Europe et sur comment d’autres cultures mangent du kale (comme l’Allemagne, les Pays-Bas, l’Italie et autres), et m’être rendue compte qu’il était très difficile à trouver en France, j’ai lancé le Projet. Je l’ai lancé sans argent et sans en gagner. Il n’y a pas de grande campagne médiatique derrière le mouvement. C’est un blog mal conçu avec une page Facebook. C’est tout.
I did it because I love a vegetable I have eaten my entire life. I do not make a living from this but have enjoyed making lovely French friends throughout the journey. And while Americans do not like to take no for an answer, it was after all Napoleon who said, “Impossible is not French.”
Je l’ai fait parce que j’aime ce légume que j’ai mangé toute ma vie. Je ne vis pas de ce Projet, mais j’ai aimé nouer de belles amitiés françaises tout au long de ce voyage. Et tandis que les Américains n’aiment pas prendre non pour une réponse, c’est après tout Napoléon qui disait: «Impossible n’est pas français.»
*Translation warmly provided by kale-lover Delphine. Merci beaucoup!
Marie says
Don’t worry Kristen, according to me, you deserve a medal. You shouldn’t have to justify yourself.
Go on, you’re doing a great job!
Whith all my support…
kristen says
Thanks Marie! I hope that your farmer has his kale for you soon. It’s the perfect season!
Betsy says
Bravo!
I find it interesting that kale was not available in France, keep up the good work!
kristen says
Hi Betsy – Don’t we all! Thank you so much!
Stephen says
Beautiful!
kristen says
Hi Stephen – Thank you for your kindness & support!
Stephanie says
I personally want to thank you for your hard work and passion for bring a healthy treat to Paris. I finally had my first plate of kale this weekend after so many months of search, and actually met the farmer who grew it! Kale was available to me at all last! I thank you and I thank the farmer who grew it!
kristen says
Hi Stephanie! You are so welcome! Where did you end up buying your kale? Which farmer did you meet? Don’t you love meeting the people behind the growing?!
Stephanie says
I joined La Ruche Qui Dit Oui, and ordered my Kale directly from Thirard Nicolas. I picked up my deliciously fresh veggies from various farmers, it was my first time! And what a lovely experience it was to meet the people that actually grew these healthy treats locally. Merci beaucoup Kristen, I’ve been eating kale almost daily (since I purchased enough for a month). Keep up with your wonderful project!
EBest says
You are incredible, Kristen. Truly. ANYONE who could possible criticize what you have done with bringing this superfood to Paris is, at best, recklessly ignorant and (I’m afraid), at worst, malicious. In any event, please don’t let such silly comments stop your resolve. I just met a Parisian woman in the bio marche this morning who had been living in LA for the last 10 years and she was shocked and thrilled to find kale in Paris and to see all of the wonderful press attention it has been getting here lately. She is just one example of of the many many people who are grateful for the work you do.
kristen says
Thanks evelyn darling! You are so wonderful! And she was a French woman that realized that chou frisé and chou frisé non-pommé are TWO different things!
Claudia says
Love this! The only thing I disagree with you on is the “poorly-designed blog” part – it’s awesome, as is your movement. I’ve been following you for several months now and I am truly inspired! Thank you for your work!
kristen says
Hi Claudia! Thank you for your kind words. They really mean a lot. It’s because of the people like you that keep me going!