“At the solidarity grocery store, we have a sense of sharing. We only take what we need so as not to deprive others. ” Between riscotes, milk and fresh vegetables, the poster recalls that the solidarity basket, an establishment located in Cachan (Hauts-de-Seine), is not a local business like the others. Monique, volunteer, notes the names of the beneficiaries before they access the store. They circulate between the rays without there being a crowd: that day, the social and solidarity grocery store is open all day. Alternative to solidarity packages, these food baskets distributed at a fixed time by associations such as Restos du Coeur, social and solidarity grocery stores operate on the model of a classic store. Except that prices are between 10 and 30 % of their market value. The beneficiaries file a request to access these businesses which is studied by a municipal body, chaired by an elected official, where associations and social workers meet. “The grocery store is an air hole in people’s lives, to prevent it from turning into sliding towards precariousness”, Develops Luc Néant, president of the solidarity basket.
But food precariousness is exploding in France: it increased by 16 % according to a Crédoc 2022 survey. Social and solidarity grocery stores are thus faced with a significant increase in requests. From 386 files in 2019, the solidarity basket receives around 550 DO
