About

The Kale Project, founded by Kristen Beddard, began in April 2012 as an initiative to re-introduce the leafy-green vegetable and légume oublié, kale, to France. You can read more about the history of kale in Europe & France here.

The goals were simple:
>When in season, kale will be available to buy in outdoor markets, health food stores and supermarkets.
>Encourage a few chefs to try to use it!
>ONLY work with local farmers and encourage others to support their local producers. (If other larger producers grow it, that is something that helps #1 but I will not personally support).

What started as a small passion project has grown into more than just a website and a few expats pining for kale. Today le chou kale, when in-season, is available at outdoor markets, organic shops like Naturalia and Bio C’Bon, specialty épiceries and stores like Causse in Paris or La Recharge in Bordeaux and even larger supermarkets like Monoprix, Carrefour and Le Grand Frais.

Producers vary as well. The Kale Project still works with and supports smaller producers to grow their own kale but larger producers both organic and conventional now grow the vegetable as well. Large distributors may even import it from Spain during the off-season. These larger initiatives are in no way directly connected to The Kale Project.

The Kale Project has also expanded to Spain with two locations in Murcia and the Basque region. You can read more about The Kale Project Spain here.

The Kale Project is an independent endeavor started out of passion for vegetables. Kristen is not affiliated with any large American corporation. She has no connection to Monsanto and does not support GMOs. She is not taking over Brittany with kale farms. She also is not trying to change French cuisine or “teach” the French how to eat. As a sensible communications professional, one must educate about a product if it is not well-known.

Today, The Kale Project is more than just kale in France. It is a celebration of vegetables, markets, farmers and most importantly real food.

Daisy de Plume

Kristen,
This project is adorable and I am a full supporter of your Kale endeavours. Should you need any French FDA-equivalent petitioning to bring Kale to our little country, please let me know and I will sign on with abandon!

I don’t know how she made it, but a friend once brought the best Kale I’ve ever had to a design pot-luck dinner party in Brooklyn. It was made in the oven and each piece had the most sculpted wonderful forms imaginable, as well as a particularly delicious crunchy taste.
Yours,
a fellow (Kale-less) compatriot
- kristen @ thekaleproject
  
  Daisy,
  Thank you so much for your support of The Kale Project! I really hope that we do not let you down! Kale/chou frisé is sometimes a reoccurring theme in ancient art – perhaps there is a joint THATLou in our future?
  kristen x
  - Daisy de Plume
    
    Yes yes yes! Excellent idea to a joint Kale THATLou! We could go wild with verdant landscapes and luscious Dutch stilllifes! xxD
Betsy

I’m in! I’ve been living in France for almost 5 years and feel your pain!
- kristen @ thekaleproject
  
  Hi Betsy! Nice to meet you and welcome to The Kale Project! If you don’t mind me asking, how did you find TKP? I’m so happy you’re in! We’ll be posting a lot more updates soon and I’ll be sure that you get kale soon! Are you located in Paris or in another area in France? Tell me more about yourself!
  kristen x
  - Betsy
    
    Hi Kristin! I’m in Lyon. I found your site from a Facebook post from Chlorophylle en Lémurie intérieure. If I spot kale anywhere here in Lyon, I’ll try to find out more info on where it came from and let you know!
    - Raphaëlle
      
      Did you find Kale in Lyon? I live here too and I’d like to taste it!!
Erica

I’ve been living on and off in Tokyo for about 3 years and totally feel your pain! I love that you’ve started this movement to bring my favorite vegetable to Paris and I’m excited to follow along this journey of sorts!
- kristen @ thekaleproject
  
  Hi Erica! Thanks for reading and your comment! I hope you keep following – who knows, maybe The Kale Project will be in Tokyo next!?
  - Erica
    
    I hope so!
    - kristen @ thekaleproject
      
      Erica, I just remembered that when I was in Tokyo this past January, I found a farmer’s market where one or two stands had kale. It was not in abundance but was there. Unfortunately, I can’t remember where the market was. I’ll email you the photos this week and that might help w/ location?? Best, Kristen
      - Erica
        
        That would be amazing!! Thanks, Kristen!
Tezra Chow

Dear Kristen,

I’ve just moved to Paris 2 months ago and am shocked that kale is not used here! The only place I have seen kale growing is in a flower garden in front of a church and flower planters in front of an appartment building. Yes I was very tempted to pick it all!! Im from Vancouver and kale is used all the time in many delicious dishes. I love to make kale chips, salads and smoothies. I hope kale will become more abundant in this city. Thanks for all your work, Tezra
- kristen
  
  Hi Tezra, Nice to meet you and thanks for your support and comment. Welcome to Paris! As I’m sure you can imagine, I too was shocked but I’m pretty positive that we’re getting closer and closer to kale in Paris. It might not be in abundance initially but with time…. Please keep in touch! (PS, I was in Vancouver once for work and loved it!)
Hannah

Hi Kristen, I have just come across your page after an unsuccessful week of trying to find kale in Paris. I have just moved here from London, and have severe pinings for Wholefoods. Good luck in your endeavour and please keep us posted!!
- kristen
  
  Hi Hannah! Thanks for reading, supporting and your comment. Welcome to Paris! I totally know the feeling of searching and not being able to find kale… For right now, check out Joël’s market on T/F (Rue Gros) and W/Sat (Place du President Wilson). He still has some summer kale left. If you can’t get to his market, stay tuned and I should have Monsieur Vincenne’s kale available for subscription soon. Keep in touch!
tamarajewelry

Oooh… I’m so sad for you, and support your efforts!! Enjoy spreading the word. I have a little video that might be of interest: http://youtu.be/B30fGTy5XMg Enjoy. Tamara
- kristen
  
  Thanks Tamara! Great video and so glad you shared!
newyorkinparis

Bravo to you, Kristen. I’ve been bemoaning the lack of kale here for the past five years and I think it’s amazing you went ahead and did something about it. You’re totally inspiring and je t’adore for bringing one of my fave veggies to Paris! Will try to stop by Verjus tomorrow so I can try Braden’s salad!
- kristen
  
  Hi there, thanks for your comment and support. Were you able to stop by Verjus? If not, I’m sure we’ll meet at another fun kale event to come. Keep in touch.
  - newyorkinparis
    
    Kristen, in fact i was able to come by! They found a place for us upstairs and Braden gave us some lovely made dishes. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet but hopefully we will soon! Best, Maggie
    - kristen
      
      Oh good! Glad you tried Verjus. Aren’t they just wonderful?!
janineinfrance

Hi Kirsten, I’m an expat in France – from the UK. I’d never eaten kale before I came to France but started to grow it because its such a good winter veg. I am now hooked and we prefer it to cabbage! It goes in Chinese stir fry dishes, steamed for a roast dinner and is great for adding flavour to soups and the waste goes to our dogs and chickens who are the healthiest in the village. It grows wonderfully well in the soil of the 7Valleys, Pas-de-Calais… all power to the kale…. and your project. best wishes, Janine
- kristen
  
  Hi Janie, Nice to meet you and thanks for your comment. Isn’t it such a good winter vegetable? I’m so happy you’re hooked and enjoying cooking and eating with it – there is so much you can do. And I’m sure your animals are the healthiest in the village (kale has a way of making people super healthy!)
Natasha

I found some once, in a delightful greengrocers in the Yvelines. Just once! I bought it, cooked it, impressed some guests with kale crisps…and then, nothing. No. More. Kale. One of life’s great mysteries. Will follow your quest with interest.
- kristen
  
  Natasha, this comment made me laugh. I can feel your pain. No. More. Kale. hilarious. Where in France do you live? Keep following and thanks for your support.
www.thepearandthepurplepeach.com

OMG I LOVE kale!!!! I have it all the time! Salad, juice, smoothie. So incredibly great for you!!! Pleas bring to Paris so everyone can discover how great it is!!! I demand it beta subtle when I go back! Check out one great use for it on my blog
http://thepearandthepurplepeach.com/2012/06/05/garlic-greens-soup/
- kristen
  
  I know! It’s so easy to have with so many things! And thanks for the recipe!
Ariela

This is an amazing project! If you need any help promoting kale in Paris (and beyond!) I’d love to help : ). I J’Adore kale and am so impressed by what you’re doing to spread the kale message!
- kristen
  
  Hi Ariela, Nice to meet you and thanks for your support! Do you live in Paris? I’m sure there will things in the future I might need help with. Thanks for the offer and keep in touch.
  - Ariela
    
    Hi Kristen! I don’t live in Paris (yet!). But am planning on traveling there for an extended stay in the very near future. I’d love to do what I can to help from the states for now. Do you have any expat tips to share?
    - kristen
      
      Thanks so much Ariela. I love all this support from afar! When will you arrive in Paris? I don’t think there’s anything I need from the states right now but let me know when you arrive. Send me an email if you have any specific expat life questions – happy to answer anything.
Jackie Johnstone (@jackiejohnstone)

I just moved to Bordeaux from Toronto, Canada and am super sad not to be able to find kale here! I heartily support your Kale Project. If I want to ask around at the market for kale, what do you usually ask for in French, la kale? Or is there another french word for it?
- kristen
  
  Hi Jackie – welcome to france! And the name is the biggest question. If a farmer even knows what it is, they most likely will know it as “feuilles de chou.” It’s the most literal but also makes the most sense to them. They definitely won’t know it as kale. Google Translate will say “chou frisé” but that will just lead you to savoy cabbage. Best case, you’ll find a farmer who knows what it is and maybe is growing it. Worst case, maybe ask them to grow it for you?
  - Jackie Johnstone (@jackiejohnstone)
    
    Thanks for the tips, Kristen! I’m going to ask around :)
Rod

Kristen, congratulations on your worthy crusade! I’m a freak for lacinato kale, especially in a chopped salad, dressed only with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, good olive oil, and sea salt. My family and I are going to be living in Paris for the month of October. Will be following your site to see if I can find the queen of all vegetables anywhere in our peregrinations across the city.
- kristen
  
  Hi Rod! Thanks for reading and reaching out. Your way to do kale is my favorite way to do kale. I hope you and your family enjoy your time in Paris. And be in touch for new updates.
Keli

Yes!! I’m also following with interest and do hope you’re able to convince farmers to grow some kale for Paris (at least!). Good luck! Not sure if I’ll be able to make it to events in the near future as I have a young baby, but I’ll be cheering you on for sure!!
- kristen
  
  Thanks Keli! Hopefully there will be a few other events in the future where you can attend. And thanks for the support!
Yasmine

Hi, I’m French and I never eat kale, but I read US and Canadian’s healthy blog, and now, I’d like to try kale too! Bravo for your kale project!
- kristen
  
  Thanks Yasmine. Let me know if you make it to Bob’s and try it out. I’m posting French version of the recipes soon too, so you can them out!
TMC

Hey there,
American vegan chef here, bring that Kale down to Southern France. PLEASE!!! :)
- kristen
  
  I would love to! Once I get Paris under my belt, the rest of France is next!
Kayla Allen Lescure

Hi Kristen – I’ve always been baffled at the absence of kale in France. I live in the south, near Hyeres, one of France’s agricultural centers, and will be happy to further your introduction of kale seeds to my local organic farmers. Can we talk in Paris next weekend?
- kristen
  
  Hi there! This is great news. I’m going to send you an email.
Nicole

I’ve spent about 2 years in Nantes, Lyon and Avignon, and I’ve never been able to find kale. I didn’t know it didn’t exist until I lived within walking distance of a farmer’s market and realized I never saw any. This weekend I saw Savoy cabbage for the first time at a single vendor in the central market (les Halles) in Avignon, but still no kale. Maybe when I move to Nancy next month-ish I’ll have more luck… it’s closer to Germany!

Unrelatedly, in your header, I think “introduire” would make more sense in place of “amener”, though it would no longer be as literal a translation.
- kristen
  
  Hi Nicole- Thanks for reading and your comment. Yes… the savoy cabbage which is nothing like kale… keep me posted about the markets you visit in Nancy. You’re right that since it’s closer to Germany you might have more luck.
  And thanks for the translation tip – it does make more sense (especially now that there is some kale in Paris and it’s become all about introducing!!)
Deirdre

Love love love this movement! I’ve been looking for it for weeks with no luck but now I know you cant get it. Definitely going to have to plant some in the garden for next year! Thank god I’m going back to Ireland next week to get my fix!Good luck!
- kristen
  
  Hi Dee- Where in France are you located? I hope you come back with a big bundle from Ireland.
Vanessa

What a great project and a lovely blog!

I have newly discovered kale (and kale home-made chips…yum )
It was months that I had been dreaming about tasting it, after reading about its healthy benefits. I live in Geneva, Switzerland and had been desperately looking in Geneva’s farmers markets for weeks, but could not spot any… That was until 2 weeks ago: I talked about it with my Mum and showed her the picture. She immediately recognized it, as its name in French is “chou plume” and not “chou frisé” as many dictionnaries or translators would say and most important she told me it was available in a nearby town, from an organic veggies stall in the local farmers market, where she regularly goes…
I hope the Geneva farmers will get inspired soon!
- kristen
  
  Hi Vanessa, So nice to hear from you. Thanks for reading and your comment. I’m so glad that you found some chou plume from an organic farmer. Eating kale organic is important since it’s otherwise normally heavily sprayed. I have family in Geneva that also were not sure if they’d ever seen it anywhere. I’ll have to ask them again. I do know that I saw kale at an outdoor market in Lausanne a few weeks ago but was not able to find any in the normal grocery stores. Keep looking and if you find a farmer in Geneva at a market that wants to grow it, we can work something out to send you seeds for him. Keep in touch!
Mona Varichon

i’m french (from paris) and living in san francisco and i looove kale. i discovered it a few years ago when living in montreal and couldn’t live without it now. it is always the strangest feeling when i try to ‘explain’ kale to a french friend of mine, and they just make a weird face and don’t understand what i’m talking about. i really wish i could show them.
best,
mona
- kristen
  
  Hi Mona, apologies for the late reply. not sure how i missed your comment earlier.
  i’m so happy that you’ve discovered and like kale now!! What do your French friends say? I think it must be the oldest, forgotten veggie ever that no one has ANY idea about it. Luckily a lot of happening over here and if you ever move back to France, I hope that you will not have to live without your green.
MattFM

Hi Kristen, I discovered kale through changing my lifestyle to be more primal, only to find that I can’t get it in Paris and that none of the green grocers even know about it.
I really hope that your inspired attempt to bring a new green to the French palate has been a success – and that you can tell me where to score some kale :)
- kristen
  
  Hi there- nice to hear from you. thanks for your support. yes, none of the green grocers (or farmers for that matter) will know what you’re talking about even if you have a photo. if you go the map on our site, it will have the locations where you can normally find kale. but as we know, sometimes what you find in France one day is not there the next… so sometimes certain stores or markets don’t have kale. I normally post a lot of up to date news on Twitter or FB. Be in touch!
Tintin

Didn’t read the thread, so the following may not be breaking news: Found kale in organic shop today “Le retour à la terre” 1 rue Le Goff (next to Panthéon). French name for Kale seems to be chou frisé, but that usually just applies to savoy cabbage. Thanks for the map it’s great!
- kristen
  
  Hi there – Yes. Le retour de la terre is one of the goodies! Glad you found it so easily (as I need to update that on the map). And the name… well it has many names… but chou frisé is the légume ancien name but it’s so forgotten that people now just assume it’s savoy cabbage. I also think that with the recent press… “le kale” may be catching on as the “trendy” name… I could care less as long as we have something to say to someone at a market or store. Enjoy!
jindovina

Hi Kristen,
Just wanted to leave a note to say how thrilled I was to learn about your project recently. I started to follow your FB page and was doubly-thrilled when I saw the write-up from Pittsburgh, my hometown as well! I’m in Paris for 6 months and as an urban farm enthusiast I’m trying to learn as much as possible about food access and distribution while I’m here. Living in the Bay Area for 5 years has spoiled me when it comes to year-round availability of produce, but your crusade to reintroduce the lost-veggie is a mission worth pursuing. I’d love to get my hands on some seeds or starts to plant at gîte farm where we spend our weekends in Maine-en-Loire! – Julia
- kristen
  
  Hi Julia! Thanks for your note and support. And yay for Pittsburgh. It’s funny how more time away from ‘da burgh, the more I like it and miss it (and the food scene there is actually booming! hooray!) I’ve sent you an email with some seed info. How much longer are you in Paris for? Glad we connected! -Kristen
Kaela Saez

Hey there!
I am SO excited to see someone has started up a kind of Kale Revolution in France!! I have been with my partner for two years, he is from Bayonne, France and I am from California. I finally decided to marry the guy and move here. I’ve felt silly to be so upset about the lack of Kale here in the South. But I can see my sadness is safe here! Kale was a staple in my diet back home. I ate it almost everyday, juiced, cooked, raw and so on. I have actually been begging friends back home to send me a care package. Can you help me get kale here? Is there a way I can get seeds? Can I help somehow??
Thank you for existing!!
Kaela
- kristen
  
  Hi Kaela, Nice to hear from you and thanks for your note! Congrats on taking the plunge to move here from California… hope it’s all going well. And yes… your sadness to not be able to find kale is safe… for sure. Clearly I understand your pain. Where in the south do you live? Send me an email and let’s get things going so you hopefully can have kale in your area soon. Excited that we found each other! – Kristen
- kristen
  
  Ok… and I realize that you probably live in Bayonne… so still email me. Ps – looked at your blog! Love! I feel the same way about a good veggie dish : )
PLISSON

Hi Kaela,
I am half fench, ans was born in France and lived in France ever since.
I have been a raw vegan for two years now. I know nearly all a bout kale and have bought seeds from Germany. I intend to grow them in my garden very soon.
I have bought also the big kale and the purple kale, and wondered which one was best,easier to grow and healthiest.
I live near Pau. There is a good English-american population here, which might be interested. There are many in all the West and south-west. A lot might be interested. The difficulty is to find farmers who grow organic crop.
I have a friend near Pau who grows organic vegetables. He would be probably interested, provided he was sure to sell them. There is a good marketing to do
Please reply on my mail if you are interested.
love
Joy
Joy
- kristen
  
  Hi Joy – Thank you for your note. This is great news! I will send you an email and we can discuss more.
epg

Fun project. Please keep it up until I can get it in my local supermarket! (nr Fontainebleau) Do you think you could post a photo gallery of each type of kale you find in France with the name used at that particular market/shop. I think it would help me spot it at a market. Indeed, I’d also love a gallery of all types found in the US & UK as I never really got that straight either. I just grab whatever they have in Whole Foods and head for my kitchen. Does the calcium vary from one to another? Also, I’m curious – Do you grow your own kale and if so which sort? And, did you by any chance fall into a pot of kale when you were little? ;-) Thanks!
- kristen
  
  Hi there – the plan is to not stop until it is available in supermarkets… it might be awhile but fingers crossed. That’s a great idea about a kale photo gallery of types, etc. I’m working on a site revision so that’s something I should include!
  
  As far as the basic varieties you’d find at Whole Foods there are three (green, dinosaur/Lacinato/Tuscan/Cavalo Nero (all the same) and Red Russion). Health benefits are pretty much the same for all three. I grow a little green variety on my window but kale needs more land to really take-off. And no, I just was fed kale all the time when I was little!
  - epg
    
    Thanks! I’ll now take a closer look at the Kale names AND keep an eye out for your photos.
Breuil

I am 64. I was born in the East of France and I loved this cabbage so much when I was young. It was grown in my grand’mother garden. I could’nt find anyway this food. I asked my mother (88) the name of it. She said it was “Kaele” or “Käle” or “Kele”, as a German dialect spoken there a long time ago… And this morning as I crossed the Montparnasse station, I took a free newspaper when I saw an article of your Kale. I am so glad to see that finally I can eat again, one day, this so good cabbage. I think in some restaurant(s) of this part of France, it is still served according to what my mother said. I have no garden unfortunally, but I will ask my son to get the seeds if we can find some.
Mina

Found your blog when trying to (unsuccessfully) find kale in Toulouse. I keep stalking the marchés but have yet to find it. Let me know when you read the sud-ouest!
Delphine

Dear Kirsten,
thank you so much for your project ! I’m also looking for kale in Paris …
I use to eat a lot of spinach but it is not the season anymore, and I need some greens !
I saw your list of places where to find some, but are kales avalaible at this season ?

Would you sell some kale’s seeds also ?
Kind regards
Delphine
- kristen
  
  Hi Delphine,
  
  Nice to hear from you! Everyone is looking for kale right now… Unfortunately the farmers that grew kale in the Fall did not plant a springtime greenhouse crop so there is none available at the markets. There are a few farmers growing it but their supply will not be ready until mid-July. I do sell kale seeds on my Etsy page. Just search for thekaleproject and you’ll see the listing! Let me know if you have any other questions. -Kristen
Delphine

Thank you Kristen, I’ve received my seeds yesterday and plant them right away. But it may not be the best season…
I’ll send you some pictures :-)
- kristen
  
  It’s a perfect time to plant them! Kale can grow all year round and now that the weather is finally warming up, they will be growing perfectly for you! Can’t wait to see!
maminoux

I regret not to have received the 4 packs in only one.
I will have to dispatch. How ????
And not the note saying how it must planted.
suzanne carroll

Congratulations Kristen …… I would love to see it arrive here in the Rhone Alps …. I have not researched enough to see whether it can manage the colder elements …. but I will start with my garden and go from there. I am from Australia and like you we have been spoilt for choice. I am so looking forward to having this amazing veggie back in my diet – juices, salads, lasagnes, risottos ….. the list is endless. Thank you again – may we all work with you to realise your dream!
- kristen
  
  Thanks Suzanne! You could easily grow it where you live – in fact, kale prefers “colder” weather and lasts all through the winter. Frost makes the plant a bit sweeter! If you are friendly with any producers in your area, perhaps they would be willing to try to grow it. I’ve sent seeds to a few other people in other areas of the country to have their local producers start to grow it as well. Keep me posted!
Sue

Great idea…
Here in the alps us kale lovers are growing it in our veg plots !
- kristen
  
  Woohoo!! Send photos for #kalespotted!
saida

merci pour cette information mais je n’arrive pas à saisir le nom en français de ce légume magique et puisque il existe en Egypte , pourriez vous me donner son nom arabe
avec un grand merci de saida casablanca maroc
- kristen
  
  Hello! I do not know the name in Arabic but I have a contact that I think might be able to help… stay tuned :)
Tiphaine Goeman

I’ve been living in North America for 4 years, I just came back to France and I was so sad when I found out I would not be able to do my favorite green smoothies anymore. Thank you so much for this website, I hope I’ll find kale close to Bretigny, but til then I’ll go to the adresses you mentioned. Once again thank you for creating this the kale project, I can be healthy again :)
- kristen
  
  Hi Tiphaine –
  
  Nice to hear from you! I understand your sadness about not having the perfect ingredients for the green smoothie! Right now I do not have any specific contacts for kale in your area. Are you friendly with any of your local producers who might want to try growing it? If so, I can supply information and seeds to get it at your market! Let me know -Kristen
  - Tiphaine Goeman
    
    Hi Kristen,
    
    Since I just moved here I haven’t made acquaintance with local producers yet, but I’ll definitely let you know if I find one who is ready to try growing some kale. I really hope I’ll find someone ! Thank you for your answer.
    T.
Susane Lima-Grandguillotte

Dear Kristen, I moved from Miami to the south west of France, in the Bearn region close to Pau, last June and I have been working on my own garden for next summer, and I would LOVE to know or how can I buy the seed so I can add to it, would you be able to help me? Thank you so much and congratulations for taking such a beautiful idea into reality, I do admire your spirit!!
- kristen
  
  Hi Susane! Nice to hear from you and thank you for the nice comment. You can find seeds on my Etsy site. If you have any other questions, let me know! -Kristen
karen

Hello Kristen,
Just thought I’d mention I ordered a delicious quinoa salad at NOGLU last week and asked whether the lovely leafs in the salad were Kale, and they said yes… bought chez Joel T!! Just thought you might want to add them to your restaurant list.. (16 passage des Panoramas, paris 2nd) gifted chef has gluten free menu (impressive background Bristol and L’ami Jean)…

Have a good sunday
Timothy

I was just in the local market here in Boulogne Billancourt today thinking that there was so little real variety of produce, especially compared to the US or even more so, China. And I thought that I wish there was some kale. Then this afternoon I came across the article in the IHT on Kristen and the Kale Project! Great initiative. Imagine, Americans teaching the French about good food and great cooking! What do I have to do to get one of the stands to start stocking it here? I’m sure BB is the kind of neighborhood that would go for this and other superfoods. Good luck and keep your great spirit!!
dianapointfr

Hi, I am another American expat living in Bordeaux. I love seeing projects that other Americans are working on. I can try an keep an eye out in our local markets if you are interested in expanding the project outside of Paris.

When I first moved to France, I wondered whether there really was no kale in France or if I just didn’t know the word for it. I just read the piece in the NYT. The quote from the French food blogger really rang true to me. I find that so many things that we health conscious Americans lust after are really in direct opposition to French culinary culture. I used to think that they were naive but then I read a line from the Omnivore’s Dilemma that really changed my perspective. Something along the lines of, American have the most fickle habits because they are not moored by a strong culinary tradition. We are the most susceptible to fad diets and health crazes. I think that there is something lovely about not treating food as medicine. Every time I talk about the fiber in legumes or the vitamin C in red peppers, my words of wisdom fall on deaf ears. et c’est peut-etre tant mieux.
- kristen
  
  Hi Diana, Thank you for your comment. This response is about a million days late but I’ve been playing comment catch up today :) I know exactly what quote you are referring to in Omnivore’s Dilemma and agree with you completely. And when I am talking about chou plume to people, to me the most important point is that it is just a légume oublié and then a “oh yeah. it’s good for you too but just like all vegetables are!” I recognize that the superlative proof point does not resonate here… (i just need to change my blog header!) And if you do ever spot any kale in your markets please let me know!
Le gessien

Hi there, I live in a small town in France /near Switzerland and have been looking for kale for a while. I have settled w chou frisée but of course that is not the same. I will try to convince our local bio farmer who we get weekly légumes from to grow some next year. Is your webpage available in French? It may help to convince a french farmer… (who also seems to be computer savvy).
- kristen
  
  Hi there! Sorry for the late reply. I will email you a document that has been used for other farmers. If you want seeds, let me know!
Amy Ehmann

I am an American that has lived in the south of France since 1989. Coming originally from Kansas I had never heard of kale before. Last year I returned to the States, Boulder, CO, for 8 months and followed holistic culinary school training at Bauman College. Great experience and in Boulder everyone talks about kale. I took seeds back with me and it has flourished in my garden, such a treat. Knowing kale now, after returning to France in April, at my local farmers market I realized that my favorite organic gardener actually sells the young kale plants to plant in the vegetable garden. His variety is the Nero Toscan. He has been selling it for many years and I never knew what it was. How ignorant I have been, depriving myself for so long. I totally support you in your project and if there is something I can do to help let my know. It’s great that Americans can be associated with promoting something healthy!
If you’re ever in the Gers stop by for a visit.
Maybe we should get some “Eat More Kale” bumper stickers for our cars…………….
- kristen
  
  Hi Amy – So nice to meet you and thank you for your comment and the lovely story. And what great news that your local producer sells plants. Does he ever grow it as well and sell it as leafy-greens for consumption? Sometimes the chou noir is just used for ornamental purposes. And yes, as an American, it’s nice to talk about something that we eat that is not bad for you. But then again, kale is not an American vegetable – we just went gaga for it (as the Americans tend to do)… Thanks again for your note!
Sue

I’ve just found curly Kale in my local Grand Frais supermarket in Thonon les bains, Hatue Savoie…!
- kristen
  
  Great news!
Sandra

Hi, I just found your site. I’m so happy you did this. You are seriously courageous to take on a project of this sort in the country where the first answer is always, unfailingly “NON.” And it looks like you’ve succeeded! Good, Good job!! I’m sure I speak for not only myself when I say THANK YOU! I’ve been living here for 10 years, and it’s funny that with all of the varieties of food, I’ve always been puzzled by the absence of Kale. I didn’t realize it’s mainly an American thing.
- kristen
  
  Hi Sandra! Nice to hear from you and thank you for your note. And while yes the Americans have made kale “thing” (as we tend to do..), kale is European and has been cultivated for over 4000 years… so just a lost vegetable :)
ateanddemeter

Hei Kristen,
I have been living in Oslo, Norway for two years as an American expat from Portland, Oregon and I think you are amazing! (yes, I realize it isn’t world peace, but a green vegetable that you’re promoting but on some days it can seem like the same thing) If you are willing to contact me I would love to ask you some questions concerning your project. I am serious to the point of considering purchasing farmland and starting my own kale farm.
Cheers!
Michal Christina Bietz
- kristen
  
  Email sent! Let’s chat!
leshollandaises

Hi Kirsten, I am launching a blog together with a friend http://www.leshollandaises.com. We are both Dutch and living in Amsterdam. Sophie is a writer, I work in fashion. We will talk about all kinds of subjects that we come across in Paris, among which food and health.
Kale is a product that I have only been familiar with for about a year now. I really like your project and I have planned to mention it in one of our first posts about healthy drinks.
But for a second post I would love to interview you. If you’re interested, email me your contact information and I’ll get in touch asap. My email:
Looking forward to hear from you! Lavinia Schimmelpenninck
(the website will be online next week)
Sweet Artichoke

Hi Kristen,
Here is little update for the Geneva (Switzerland) region: kale can now be found in the Manor supermarket near Cornavin station. They call it “chou kalé”. It can also be found on Rive farmer market, (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and in the Ferme de Budé in Petit-Saconnex! Yeah… so happy to be able to find it more easily now :-)
- kristen
  
  Hey there! Thank you for the #Kalespotted. I of course have a much harder time doing stuff like this in Geneva, so I really appreciate your help. How is the supply now that the season is coming to an end?
brugesvegan

Kale is quite difficult to find in Belgium too. And so we started to grow it ourselves in our veg garden ;-)
Great project!
http://brugesvegan.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/homemade-braised-seitan-kale-brussels-sprouts-and-sundried-tomatoes/
- kristen
  
  This is awesome! I am going to share to. Thanks for sending to me.