From La Défense to Biocoop: Baptiste Legrand, PGE 2008, betting on organic to change society

At the head of three Biocoop stores in Pas-de-Calais, Baptiste Legrand,  GEM’s alumni (PGE 2008), champions a food model based on cooperation and responsibility. Portrait of an alumnus who chose to give meaning to his career.

“Eating organic is not a cost, it’s an investment!”

A radical shift for more purpose

Baptiste began his career in IT consulting at La Défense. “Suit and tie, a dehumanizing open space… I quickly realized this wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life!” he confides. A sports enthusiast at heart, he joined Decathlon in 2009 and discovered retail. But after six years, he felt the need to commit to a project driven by values.

In 2015, he took the plunge: he joined Biocoop in Boulogne-sur-Mer, starting at the checkout to learn the ropes. Six months later, he was preparing to open a new store. In 2017, he inaugurated the Biocoop in Saint-Martin-Boulogne, then Berck in 2019. In 2020, he took over management of the historic Boulogne store. Today, he oversees three outlets and a dedicated team.

A unique cooperative network

“Biocoop is above all the leading network of specialized organic stores in France,” explains Baptiste. Each store is independent and belongs to a national cooperative based in Paris. No traditional franchise, but a solidarity contribution: 1% of turnover is paid to the cooperative, along with time devoted to national committees. “It’s typical of cooperative systems: lots of mutual support, and that’s what makes us strong,” he emphasizes.

The network now includes over 700 stores and 3,000 partner farms. Baptiste ensures a strong share of local products: “In our stores, about 15% of supplies come directly from producers in the Boulonnais area. These partnerships give meaning to our work.”

A sector under pressure, but positive signs

After years of double-digit growth, the organic sector took a hit post-Covid: falling consumption, inflation, store closures. “We lost 15% of activity while our investments were calibrated for +10%. The shock was brutal,” admits Baptiste. But he remains optimistic: “Since 2024, the trend has slightly picked up. A return to normal is underway.”

Acting for public health

Since 2023, Baptiste has also been active beyond his stores. Along with other parents, he co-founded the Collectif Citoyen du Boulonnais (CAB) to improve the quality of school meals. “Our goal: raise awareness among local authorities and build bridges with local producers,” he explains.

For him, eating organic is not a luxury: “If we ate better, we’d have fewer diet-related diseases. And in the end, we’d spend less on healthcare. For me, eating organic is not a cost. It’s an investment!”

Source: Julien Caron for terres-et-territoires.com