Marc runs the Ferme Fourmanoy in Tongre, near Chièvres, Belgium. He actually grows organic grains and uses his own flour to bake the breads and pastries sold at the farm bakery!
“Je garantis ce produit sans aucun adjuvant chimique.” I guarantee that this product has no chemical additives.
Proud to manage the production process from beginning to end, Marc sought out ‘ancient’ varieties of wheat, spelt and rye (in order to ensure quality and avoid the health issues with modern wheat). He saves and sows his own seeds, since these ‘ancient’ varieties no longer circulate on the seed market.
Our GAC* in Mons purchases bread (spelt, sourdough, multigrain, …) and pastries from Marc every other week. When we visited his farm, he told us that it was a little strange for him to deliver to a GAC (CSA/Coop) because we are his only customers with whom he doesn’t have direct contact. Person to person contact is important for him – all his other sales are direct from the small store at his farm or at his stand on the market. (He is on the rue des Juifs at the Friday market in Mons. Other markets listed below.)
When I recently visited his farm, the bread was still baking, so I only have pictures of pastries. I regret not taking a picture of the behind-the-scenes bakery. It’s charming. I hope to update with more photos after my next visit.
Crème patissière – pomme (Apple and Belgian pastry cream tart)
Chocolate eclairs
Tartelette aux prunes (Mini plum tarts) & abricot (apricot tarts)
Fourmanoy’s ‘moelleux au chocolat’ (chocolate cake)
This was a surprise hit – kind of like cheesecake, but that’s not the right word. Anyway, it was with a hint of lemon. Delish.
The prices are exceptionally reasonable, especially for organic artisan made bread
Quick French – English Grain (céréale) translations for his price list above:
Froment = wheat, épeautre = spelt, seigle = rye
noix = walnut, tournesol = sunflower (seeds)
levain = sourdough
Marc sells organic bread, pastries, cakes, eggs, yogurt and more at the following markets in Hainaut: Marché d’Ath on Thursday, Marché de Mons on Friday, Marché de Tournai on Saturday and Marché de Chièvres on Sunday.
His farm store is open on Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 7pm and Saturday all day.
Because I’m a chocoholic.
– Contact Info –
Ferme Fourmanoy
Rue Albert Quivy 12
Tongre – Saint Martin
Belgium
068/65.90.51
* A GAC or ‘Groupement d’Achats Collectifs’ is the Belgian name for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). (Also called GAS, GASAP ‘Groupement d’achat Solidaire à l’Agriculture Paysanne, … or AMAP in France) Our GAC in Mons was created by a group of friends and families who wanted to buy directly from local farmers and support local organic agriculture. We order meat, bread, cheese and vegetables from various local farmers and meet every other week to split the order between households. More details another day.
Danielle in Mons 
Very interesting! I’ll be in Belgium this summer, and am trying to learn all I can before I go!
How long will you be in Belgium? And where exactly? I’ll keep you in mind for future posts!
I plan to explore the Southern part of the country, from the Chimay area to the coast, for a week or so. Then I’ll be heading North toward Amsterdam.