A few months before the launch of the food social security experiment in three Parisian districts, several elected environmentalists and partners took stock of this approach.
Boulevard Berthier, in the 20th arrondissement, Saveurs en shared offers quality food products according to an original principle: double pricing depending on the audience. In fact, nearly 90 beneficiaries can buy supplies in this solidarity and responsible grocery store at a more affordable price, thanks to the support of the social landlords who house them (Paris habitat and the RIVP). This logic of access for all to healthy and sustainable products and that which prevails in the concept of social security of food, which is gaining more and more territories.
After Montpellier or Lyon, the elected environmentalists of the city of Paris obtained the green light at the end of 2023 to experiment with such a system in three districts (14th, 18th and 20th). “This model makes it possible to support farmers and respond to the food crisis,” argues Fatoumata Koné, president of the Ecologist group of Paris. “People in precarious situations do not have access to healthy food and, more generally, there is not enough supply in this area,” notes Lila Djellali, deputy mayor of the 20th arrondissement in charge of social and solidarity economy (ESS) and sustainable food.
Fatoumata Koné. © Jgp
The experiment benefits from a subsidy of 300,000 euros, or 100,000 euros per district, which will make it possible to pay project leaders, therefore to “move away from volunteering and professionalize the approach,” adds the elected official.
Rules set by local funds
Democratic committees are currently working to set up the system. Choice of products, participant contributions, selection of stores, each district prepares its own operating rules which will result in a charter by September. Usually, an amount of around 100 euros of purchase is set per month by the local funds for each contributor, who contributes according to their income.
Lila Djellali. © Paris City Hall
The principle is in fact the same as that of Social Security for health: everyone participates according to their means and benefits from the system according to their needs. “We are targeting all residents, it is not a food aid plan,” emphasizes Fatoumata Koné. The ambition in Paris is to bring together around a hundred people initially per district, with a mix of audiences, then to increase the number.
Contributors can spend this amount in the network of partner businesses of the approach, including Saveurs en Partage in the 20th arrondissement. “The model thus takes into account local businesses which may also encounter difficulties,” notes Lila Djellali. The entire value chain is positive. »
