Since July 1st, Terra Alter, a social economy cooperative already active in Liège, is progressively deploying its activities in the building developed by Igretec in Marchienne-au-Pont. The installation of the first equipment is underway, and soup production is expected to start before the end of the year. This is a crucial step for the infrastructure aimed at bringing Walloon producers closer to Horeca professionals and public institutions.
In Marchienne, Terra Alter will develop an activity complementary to its Liège vegetable processing unit. The new site will be equipped for processing potatoes and carrots, requiring more substantial installations, while more fragile vegetables will continue to be processed mainly in Liège. The first machines are being deployed, and after testing, production should commence by year-end.
Ultimately, Terra Alter aims to offer its products to schools and institutional kitchens. The cooperative will prioritize producers from Charleroi Métropole when available, while also sourcing more broadly across Wallonia.
This first activity materializes the hub's function: creating a link between agricultural production, processing, and market outlets. The challenge now is to develop this ecosystem, connecting Terra Alter to upstream producers and downstream buyers, to facilitate access to short circuits for markets requiring volumes and adapted logistical organization.
The development of these outlets will be gradual, with the goal of achieving full hub operation in the coming years. This operational launch is part of the Food.C food strategy of Charleroi Métropole, initiated in April 2024. The 2,400 m² building includes spaces for storage, dispatch, a vegetable processing unit, and food transformation equipment.
Igretec, the building owner, managed the real estate development in consultation with local stakeholders. Wallonie Entreprendre coordinated the overall project, and Charleroi Métropole leads the sector within the Food.C framework. The investment amounts to 9.2 million euros, with 7 million from the European recovery plan. The design incorporated environmental aspects such as energy performance and rainwater harvesting.
Two years after the construction launch, the logistics hub in Marchienne-au-Pont is becoming operational, structuring short circuits and promoting more local food consumption in Charleroi Métropole.
Food.C aims to unite food sector stakeholders in the territory to relocate production and processing, support socio-economic development, and strengthen synergies. The logistics hub is one of its concrete tools, alongside other projects. Food.C is also supporting Terra Alter in launching its activity. Producers, processors, buyers, and project leaders interested in joining the initiative can contact Nicolas Rosen.
