Lille, France, 16 June 2026 – A new range of eggs from hens fed with ingredients sourced exclusively from France will be available on the market by the end of the year. This initiative is part of a partnership between Auchan and the Noriap Group (the cooperative, Novial and Cocorette) and represents a flagship outcome of the Protéi’Sol project, led by Earthworm Foundation in the Hauts-de-France region.
The announcement was made official at the Noriap Group’s booth during Terres en Fête in Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines (62), a key event for regional agriculture that brings together farmers, livestock producers, businesses and the general public.
This follows a successful initial pilot phase: between 2021 and 2025, Lidl France, in partnership with Galline and Novial, marketed eggs produced under this approach in around fifty stores across the Hauts-de-France region.
The combined results of these two initiatives are significant: 224 tonnes of locally sourced legumes were incorporated into animal feed, contributing to a deforestation-free feed supply chain.
Today, the initiative is reaching a new milestone with two major multi-year contracts in the laying hen sector, with Lidl France and now Auchan. This contractual approach helps secure market opportunities for stakeholders across the value chain while creating long-term, sustainable value.
Introducing legumes into crop rotations helps improve farmers’ independence from nitrogen fertilizers while reducing the carbon footprint of agricultural operations. This delivers tangible benefits across the entire value chain.
Led by Earthworm Foundation, the Protéi’Sol project reflects our organization’s two core missions: regenerating soil health and combating deforestation by developing locally sourced alternatives to imported protein crops.
The project also complements our regenerative agriculture initiatives, such as TRANSITIONS by Noriap and RE’COL’TE, coordinated by Earthworm Foundation, by providing a crucial missing element: viable market opportunities for legume crops.
Protéi’Sol brings together key stakeholders from across the value chain, including:
- Noriap Cooperative
- Terres Inovia (agronomic expertise)
- Novial (animal nutrition)
- Food manufacturers and retailers, including Les Mousquetaires Group, Nestlé Purina, Lidl France, and Auchan
The project receives financial support from the European Union and the Hauts-de-France Region.
Its objective is to revive local legume production and develop sustainable animal feed markets through contractual commitments spanning the entire value chain.
In the medium term, the project partners aim to expand this approach to other agricultural value chains, including broiler poultry, pork, and dairy production, as well as to other regions of France, particularly Brittany and Southeastern France.
Matthieu Trenchand, Head of Food Offer Quality at Auchan:
“With this new egg range, we are taking an important step forward in offering our customers more sustainable products while supporting a committed French agricultural sector. Protéi’Sol demonstrates that, by working collectively, it is possible to reconcile economic performance, food sovereignty, and positive environmental impact.”
Gaël Peslerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Novial (Noriap Group):
“This partnership demonstrates the ability of stakeholders across the value chain to work together to create sustainable market opportunities for legumes. It is a key lever for supporting farmers in the transition of their practices and for strengthening the local roots of our agricultural production.”
Adeline Screve, Partnerships Manager at Earthworm Foundation:
“Protéi’Sol demonstrates that practical solutions exist to reconnect agricultural production, animal feed, and food retail. By securing market opportunities and relocalising plant protein production, we are helping to regenerate soils, reduce deforestation, and drive the long-term transformation of food systems.”
Contacts:
Auchan : Nathalie Mora - nmora@auchan.fr - 07 64 88 78 53 Groupe Noriap : Stéphanie Parisi sparisi@noriap.fr - Hélène Reitzaum hreitzaum@noriap.fr Earthworm Foundation : Miriam Ben Ghazi m.b-ghazi@earthworm.org
