High costs and fewer donations make it difficult for providers.
First the pandemic, now also record inflation: the rush for cheap food (more than two-thirds cheaper) in social markets is extremely high. Providers are now in trouble themselves. In Vienna, the social store closed four branches, others also had problems.
Gerhard Steiner, Chairman of Soma: “Of course we can’t just raise prices like in the free market, but we still notice the sharp increase in costs, especially for fuel and energy.” Svjetlana Wisiak of the Vinzi markets (belongs to Soma): “At a market in Graz, where two tons are normally supplied daily, that is now 1.8 tons. At the same time, we have up to 40 percent more customers than in 2020.”
It is more difficult to find donors, sometimes the selection decreases. “Our partners often have availability problems of their own,” says Steiner. When supermarket shelves are empty, there is less for social markets.
Yet it works: “We can provide for everyone who needs food”, emphasize Wisiak and Steiner. But the situation could get even tighter if the situation worsens.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
