Viennese social markets in the struggle for survival: Missing foods at Christmas time!

Viennese social markets in the struggle for survival: Missing foods at Christmas time!

In Vienna rapidly increasing demand for food from social markets ensures an alarm mood! The number of legitimate buyers has almost doubled in recent years. In particular in the social markets of the Samaritan Association and in the Soma markets of the Vienna aid organization, the number of customers has increased within just 18 months to over 8,500, as ORF Vienna . This increase is a direct consequence of the persistently high inflation that raises food prices - up to 47.9 percent in the past three years! The growing figures were already expected in the second half of 2024 when the increase in registrations there was significantly pronounced compared to the first half of the year.

But while the demand is booming, there is a worrying trend reversal: the willingness to donate of the food chains is falling. In 2024, the Soma markets recorded a decline in donations by 15 percent, which leads to serious bottlenecks. An example: With the largest social market operator, the Startup association, the number of pick-up was doubled to catch the same amount of food. This development is alarming, especially in view of the upcoming Christmas season, in which supermarkets and social markets experience an enormous increase in customers. Marius Aigner, deputy chairman of startup, emphasizes that many people are looking for special foods right now, in the festive period.

in short supply and challenges

The lack of fruit and vegetables is particularly serious this year. Due to the high energy prices, farmers are forced not to activate their glass houses, which is very limited. As a result, supermarkets also ask less and thus give less to the social markets. "Many members of our markets want to treat themselves to a nice Christmas, but the offer is often not enough," said Aigner. According to the Vienna aid organization, the situation is tense and many urgently need access to healthy eating, which remains unreachable for many due to increasing prices in the supermarket.

Another factor that contributes to this tense situation are companies such as "Too Good to Go" that save unsuccessful food. These developments mean that fewer goods are available for the social markets, while the number of members is growing steadily. For the social markets, not only the provision of food, but also the search for volunteers to support these critical times is becoming increasingly important, such as