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Cluster members have set 4 main objectives:

• Market new products with higher added value in accelerating the innovation process at all stages of the industry

• Encourage growth in consumption of fruits and vegetables while contributing to developing new methods of consumption and conducting public awareness initiatives

• Adapt training to the new needs of the economic stakeholders for qualified personnel and respond to the development of the industry 

• Optimize exchanges between the various stakeholders in the industry

Advantages

The Provence-Alps-Côte-d’Azur regions in particular hold a privileged place in the agri-food industry, and in Fruits and Vegetables in particular

Companies and Jobs   
- 21,500 direct jobs in 8,000 agricultural fruit and vegetable exploitations
- 9,000 jobs in processing companies spread over 290 establishments  
Research   
1,200 researchers   
Training
2,200 students

Partnerships with 4 other French innovative clusters
- Q@limed, Languedoc Roussillon    
- Valorial, Brittany
- Qualitropic Reunion Island   
- Céréales Vallée Auvergne

-Creation of a scientific and cultural communication space location dedicated to the industry: Epicurium in Avignon (opening in 2009)
• an internal exhibition space of 300 square meters a designed nature walk (orchard, garden, greenhouses) of 8,000 m² a 50 m² room for workshops
• A sensory analysis laboratory specialized in the services of the research laboratories and companies of the cluster
• A collaborative platform for economic intelligence and monitoring NETFEL

Members

204 members  in June 2008

Companies: almost 100 of which over 80% are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
French companies: LDC-Agis, Air Liquide, Andros, Bonduelle, Clause Tézier, Sodexho, Raynal&Roquelaure, Creno, Soleco-Florette, Pomona, Estivin, Naturex and Pronatura.
International companies: Rijk Zwaan (Netherlands), Ducros, subsidiary of McCormick (United States), Crudi-Geest (United Kingdom), Kerry Ingredients (Ireland), Campbell’s (United States) Conserves France (Italy), Hero (Switzerland) and Panzani (Spain).

Research and Educational Institutions
55 centers, including Centre International d’Etudes Supérieures en Sciences Agronomiques (Montpellier Supagro), CIRAD, Université d’Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, Institut Agronomique méditerranéen de Montpellier, Ecole Polytechnique Universitaire de Montpellier, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Centre Technique Interprofessionnel Fruits et Légumes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche médicale (INSERM), ISARA Lyon, Ecole supérieure d’agriculture Angers and ISEMA Avignon.
   
56 other organizations are also partners of the cluster, including the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Vaucluse and Pays d’Arles, Fédération Régionale des Coopératives Agricoles Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Regional Councils of Rhone-Alps and Provence-Alps-Côte-d’Azur, General Councils (county councils) of Vaucluse and Bouches du Rhône.

Current R&D Project Partnerships (refer to appendix)

- 43 projects have been certified  since the cluster’s creation, representing a total investment of 45 million euros
- 17 million euros in financing already obtained

Public funds support:
- Over 2 million euros granted by the Single Interministerial Fund (Fonds Unique Interministériel or FUI) between 2005 and 2007
- Over 4 million euros allocated by the National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche or ANR) between 2005 and 2007

International Partnerships

Current:
- Fruit logistica
- Berlin February 2008*
- Partnership with Italian District Emilie Romagne
- Andalou Cluster

Future:
- International Convention for Fruits and Vegetable Industry (Salon International des Techniques de la filière fruits et légumes) in October 2008, Algeria
- Prospect generating mission in Romania in October 2008
- International Convention for Fruits and Vegetables of Agadir (Salon International des Fruits et Légumes d’Agadir), Morocco, November 2008

Appendix: Certified R&D Project

• More information on pôle Innovation Fruits et Légumes