A dataset mapping the geographical distribution of past and present collective farmers’ stores in France

Collective farmers' stores (CFS) represent in France a unique model within alternative food networks, characterized by a collective governance exclusively managed by a group of farmers. These stores saw substantial growth in the country during the 2010-2020 decade. However, the post-COVID period, affected by inflation, appears to have sparked a wave of closures. To our knowledge, no systematic tracking of CFS openings and closures has been conducted in recent years in France, nor has any related data been made available for research purposes. Our objective was to identify all stores that have recently opened or closed, in order to analyze the expansion dynamics of this unique food retail model. By cross-referencing these data with other spatial factors - such as demographic, economic, and public policy information - it becomes possible to explore research questions that shed light on the determinants influencing the establishment or disappearance of these stores across different territories. We identified collective farmers' stores and their location throughout France using three complementary methods: analyzing local daily newspapers, gathering participatory data through an interactive map, and sharing data via established partnerships with agricultural development organizations. We aimed to associate each store with its SIRET number (French business identification number) to enrich the data with opening and closure dates, as well as relevant administrative and economic details. Our final dataset includes 543 active stores in 2024, along with 105 that have closed over the past 15 years [1].