In the savages, a dairy restore confidence to disabled workers thanks to an inclusive and rewarding project

In the immaculate room, there are those who fill the yogurt funnels, those who regulate the machines, those who circulate the glass jars, who prepare the opercules, which stick the labels, branch the boxes, pour the jam … all wear a charlotte, a blouse and white plastic boots. Among them, who is a disabled worker, who is supervisor?

Difficult to distinguish. It is only by exchanging a few words – and again – that we detect that certain teammates carry a psychic fragility or a mental handicap which justifies their presence in this ESAT (establishment or service of aid through work, formerly called the adaptation center through work).

Arrived only six months ago, Thierry rejoices: “I discover new things every day. It feels good because it is not repetitive, I always change the task. “Indeed, here, everything is thought to avoid monotony since all the positions are interchangeable: sowing of milk to transform it into yogurt, cleaning of machines, molding of tomme and raclettes, matches of cheeses, packaging, and even beekeeping … This versatility turns out to be one of the pillars of the establishment’s project:” They all have much more capacities than they think ” Anselme, the two monitors who oversee the making of yogurts. Operational since March 2024, the dairy is currently transforming 4,000 liters of milk per week. Objective of profitability displayed: 10,000 liters – and obviously, everyone believes in it.

Boost self -esteem …

Often abused by the world of work in ordinary environment, these dairy people lack self -confidence. Loïc, a 53 -year -old former sports educator, says he has gone through “difficult stages”. But, he adds, “you have to believe in your star, never give up. We always end up recovering. He obviously found something here, thanks to the “second chance” given to him by the La Roche association, at the head of five Esat including this one.

Holder of the driving license, Loïc also provides one of the delivery tours. For his part, his pair Thomas analyzes why his job pleases him: “I have more pride in working in dairy than in cardboard. People know what it is, they can taste. »»

Perform various tasks, feel capable, be valued, and find if possible autonomy. It was the goal sought by the eponymous association by imagining this dairy in 2018.

At the time, ESAT assured food conditioning, without reaching an economic balance. The very rural site encourages management to turn to agriculture. Why not transform milk produced by the surrounding farmers and create a range of local dairy products? The bet is launched.

… And bet on good taste

The adventure starts modestly in 2019, “in an Algeco in the parking lot”, we recall here with a smile. Customers are quickly seduced, to the point that the association decides to invest to create a dairy of 1,000 m2, well equipped, with workstations suitable for disability. The set cost 1.9 million euros, subsidized up to 1 million euros by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the IF Foundation, according to Guillaume Dupuis, the site manager. But the audacity also lies in the commercial approach, as it explains with conviction and outspoken: “To develop our brand image, our strategy is not that of empathy. For us, inclusion is not “look at these little disabled people, reach out to them and buy their yogurts”. »»

Nothing, in the name of the brand – La Laiterie de la Roche – indicates that it is an ESAT. Commercial prospecting meetings always start with a tasting. Then the commercial representative underlines the organic and local side. It is only after, if future customers are seduced, that it reveals the inclusive origin of the project.

Not putting forward disability is “more rewarding for us and it destigmatizes”, estimates Guillaume Dupuis, for whom inclusion, “it is showing that everyone works in the same way. The Jury of the International Competition of Lyon was not mistaken: in 2023, category yogurt, the disabled workers of La Roche dairy won gold and silver. For having tasted it, I can testify: it’s amply deserved!