2023
Caritas Market
Healthy, good and affordable
People living in poverty in Switzerland are really struggling with rising prices and have to make the most out of their limited resources. It has been observed that they tend to buy more filling rather than nutriet-rich food , which is less healthy and damaging in the long run.
Description
Consequently, a focus of the Caritas Market Switzerland has been made on an appealing range of fresh produce. Customers can choose from around 150 seasonal fruit and vegetable varieties. The prices are below the retail price and therefore motivate customers more to purchase them.
Vision
Nobody should have to miss out on a balanced diet because of their financial situation.
Approach
With a shopping card issued by social welfare offices, churches, private social institutions, and the regional Caritas organizations, entitled persons can shop in Caritas markets at 23 locations throughout Switzerland. Financially disadvantaged people who live at or below the minimum subsistence level, receive social assistance or supplementary benefits or are recovering from debt are eligible to shop in Caritas. What is worth mentioning is that groceries are not given away for free.
Impact
Whether it's a reduced budget, fighting malnutrition or promoting better health -Living conditions have improved for those affected. The service, which has existed since 2017, is highly requented. Sales totaled CHF 17.6 million IN 2023, with over 1.1 million purchases.
What looks like a successful venture unfortunately means that shopping in regular supermarkets is no longer affordable for many people.
Story
A queue in front of the door
An ordinary Tuesday morning, just before 10 o'clock. It's still a few minutes before the Caritas market in Lucerne opens, but a queue has already formed outside the glass door.
People of all ages can be seen, retired people as well as mothers with their prams. As soon as the market opens, everyone enters and routinely streams through the shelves. It's like this every day. Demand for discounted products has risen sharply in the past year due to inflation.
An elderly couple from Switzerland, who receive supplementary benefits, explains what this means in concrete terms. "The pasta we always buy is about a franc more than it was a year ago," says the 70-year-old. “For someone who has to watch their money, this is not easy to cope with”, she adds, while her 79-year-old husband lists other products that have increased in price. "We feel the inflation at the end of the month," he says with a serious expression.
Copyright pictures©Caritas Market
Partner
CARITAS Markt
www.caritasmarkt.ch