In Gironde, an experiment with a food voucher in the form of “local currency” is showing promising results in allowing low-income households to access fresh, quality products. Could this innovative device be generalized?
Imagine being able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables every day, even on a small budget… This is what an unprecedented experiment carried out in Gironde for 6 months, called “Social food security”, allows. The first feedback from the 400 beneficiary households is very encouraging and rekindles the debate on the implementation of a food check at the national level.
A solidarity contribution for quality food for all
The principle is simple: each household contributes monthly according to its means (from €25 to €50) and receives in exchange an allowance of €150 per person, to be spent at partner merchants offering fresh and local products. No need to deprive yourself or calculate, access to a balanced, quality diet is guaranteed.
Stop worrying and tell yourself that every day, we will eat our fill.
Christelle, a beneficiary mother in Bordeaux
For Christelle, an unemployed single mother, it’s a real change. With €1,500 of income for two, it’s impossible to buy fresh meat or fish. Thanks to the device, she can now fill her fridge with good products and even enjoy cooking. No more sad and unbalanced meals, hello gluttony and health!
A “win-win” system for all
On the traders’ side too, it’s all beneficial. They see new customers arriving who could not afford to buy their products. At the Bègles market, for example, the fruit and vegetable stalls now attract families who previously passed on due to lack of budget.
There are young people coming, people who before didn’t take much and now buy more.
A market gardener from the Bègles market
Certainly, prices are on average 20% higher than in supermarkets. But thanks to the “food check”, it becomes accessible. And this benefits the entire chain, from producer to consumer, including local businesses. A truly virtuous and united system.
An experience to be generalized to combat food insecurity?
These encouraging results give arguments to supporters of a national food voucher dedicated to healthy products. A report from the Montaigne Institute therefore suggests allocating €30 per month to the poorest to buy fruit and vegetables, while taxing “junk food” more.
Because the figures are alarming: 1 in 5 adults suffer from obesity, due to a diet that is too rich, too processed and low in fruits and vegetables. The most precarious are the first victims of this scourge, with disastrous consequences on their health.
So, could the food voucher be the solution? The Gironde experience seems in any case to open a promising avenue, reconciling social assistance and the promotion of “eating well”. To be continued, knowing that the government is considering a national system which could see the light of day by 2025. Enough to restore appetite and color to the plates of the most deprived.
An experience to be generalized to combat food insecurity?
These encouraging results give arguments to supporters of a national food voucher dedicated to healthy products. A report from the Montaigne Institute therefore suggests allocating €30 per month to the poorest to buy fruit and vegetables, while taxing “junk food” more.
Because the figures are alarming: 1 in 5 adults suffer from obesity, due to a diet that is too rich, too processed and low in fruits and vegetables. The most precarious are the first victims of this scourge, with disastrous consequences on their health.
So, could the food voucher be the solution? The Gironde experience seems in any case to open a promising avenue, reconciling social assistance and the promotion of “eating well”. To be continued, knowing that the government is considering a national system which could see the light of day by 2025. Enough to restore appetite and color to the plates of the most deprived.
