Picard Surgelés

Introduction

Picard Surgelés is a French frozen food brand that was founded in 1906 by Agustin Picard in the small town of Croix, in northern France. With a desire to provide quality food that retained its freshness, the brand built its reputation on offering a wide variety of frozen products to cater to different tastes and preferences. Over the decades, Picard has expanded its footprint across France and internationally, opening numerous stores while maintaining its commitment to artisanal quality and innovation. The founders’ vision of providing convenient, high-quality meals has been instrumental in establishing Picard as a household name in the frozen food market.

At the core of Picard Surgelés' philosophy is a focus on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. The brand aims to make delicious, gourmet-style food accessible to everyone without compromising on taste or nutritional value. Picard emphasizes the use of fresh ingredients, with many products sourced from local and sustainable producers. This dedication to quality means that each product reflects a commitment to culinary excellence, allowing customers to enjoy meals and snacks that are comparable to those from fine restaurants. This philosophy not only speaks to discerning consumers but also emphasizes a love for cooking and sharing great food with family and friends.

What makes Picard special is its diverse selection of products, ranging from classic French dishes to contemporary international cuisines. Picard not only prides itself on the authenticity of its offerings but also on its innovative approach to food, regularly introducing seasonal and limited-edition products that excite culinary enthusiasts. With a focus on both convenience and gastronomical delight, Picard has succeeded in creating a brand that appeals to busy individuals and families looking for quick yet satisfying meal solutions. The brand's engaging retail environments and knowledgeable staff further enhance the overall shopping experience, making it more than just a frozen food store.

Signature Products

Picard Surgelés boasts an impressive array of products, ensuring that there is something for everyone while reflecting its commitment to quality. Each item is crafted with attention to detail, making frozen food a gourmet experience.

• Ravioli aux Champignons : Tender ravioli filled with a savory mushroom mixture, perfect for a quick yet gourmet meal.
• Filets de Saumon : Individually packaged salmon fillets that are ideal for grilling or baking, retaining moisture and flavor.
• Tarte aux Pommes : A classic French apple tart made with crisp pastry and a delicious apple filling, ideal for dessert lovers.
• Couscous aux Légumes : A vibrant mix of couscous and seasonal vegetables, providing a nutritious side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main course.
• Pizzas Artisanales : Handcrafted pizzas featuring high-quality toppings and a crispy crust, satisfying cravings for authentic Italian flavors.

Materials and Ingredients Used by Picard Surgelés

• Apple : Apples are a popular fruit known for their sweet and tart flavors. In Picard Surgelés products, apples are often used in desserts and fruit mixes, providing natural sweetness and a fresh taste, which enhances the overall flavor profile of their offerings.
• Banana : Bananas are a versatile, nutrient-rich fruit that add creaminess and sweetness to dishes. Picard Surgelés incorporates bananas in various frozen desserts and smoothies, appealing to those seeking convenient and nutritious options while delivering a familiar taste.
• Cocoa : Cocoa is derived from cacao beans and is a key ingredient in chocolate products. In Picard Surgelés, cocoa is used in desserts to provide a rich, indulgent flavor that attracts chocolate lovers and enhances the enjoyment of their frozen treats.
• Sugar : Sugar is a fundamental sweetening agent used in many food products. Picard Surgelés includes sugar in their ingredients to balance flavors and enhance sweetness in desserts, ensuring a pleasing taste experience for their consumers.
• Milk : Milk is a dairy product rich in nutrients and often used to add creaminess and flavor to dishes. In Picard Surgelés, milk is included in various dessert items to provide a smooth texture and enhance the overall taste, appealing to consumers looking for comforting options.
• Ginger : Ginger is a spice known for its distinctive flavor and potential health benefits. Picard Surgelés uses ginger in certain recipes to add warmth and depth to the flavor, catering to those who enjoy a slight spiciness and unique taste in their frozen products.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying From Picard Surgelés

Pesticide Use:

Pesticides are commonly used in the cultivation of ingredients like apples and ginger to protect them from pests and diseases. However, their excessive use can lead to soil and water contamination, adversely affecting surrounding ecosystems. For instance, the runoff from apple orchards can carry pesticide residues into nearby water bodies, impacting aquatic life. Moreover, pesticide exposure poses health risks not only to farmworkers who apply them but also to consumers through potential residues on food.

Water Usage:

Agricultural production often requires substantial water usage, which can be unsustainable. Crops like apples and sugarcane, for sugar production, are especially water-intensive, contributing to water scarcity in regions where water resources are already limited. For example, intensive apple farming in arid areas can lead to depletion of local water supplies, affecting both human populations and natural habitats reliant on these resources.

Deforestation:

Deforestation is a serious concern for ingredients like bananas, cocoa, and palm oil. Large areas of rainforests are cleared to make way for plantations, leading to significant biodiversity loss and disruption of carbon storage capabilities of these forests. The conversion of tropical rainforests into palm oil plantations, for example, contributes to habitat destruction for endangered species and increases greenhouse gas emissions due to the carbon stored in trees being released into the atmosphere.

Carbon Footprint During Transportation:

Transporting ingredients such as apples, bananas, and ginger often involves long distances from farm to consumer, resulting in significant carbon emissions. This is due to the reliance on fossil fuels for freight via ships, planes, and trucks. The carbon footprint of imported apples, for example, includes not just the transportation emissions but also emissions from cold storage necessary to keep them fresh during transit.

Labor Exploitation:

The production of ingredients like cocoa and vanilla is often linked to labor exploitation, including child labor and unfair wages. Coffee cooperatives and small-scale vanilla farming, for example, often face issues where farmers are not paid fair prices, pushing them into poverty and sometimes necessitating the use of child labor to make ends meet. The intricate harvesting and curing process of vanilla mean it’s labor-intensive and often underpaid.

Marine Pollution:

Plastic packaging is a significant contributor to marine pollution, as it often ends up in oceans where it harms wildlife and disrupts marine ecosystems. Non-biodegradable plastics persist in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that enter food chains and accumulate in marine organisms, potentially impacting human health when consumed.

Methane Emissions:

Dairy production, important for ingredients like milk, leads to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Cows produce methane during digestion, and manure management also contributes to emissions. Methane has a much greater impact on global warming than carbon dioxide, making it a crucial concern for sustainability in dairy farming practices.