Organisation:

Menorca Preservation in collaboration with the Red Cross, have developed and led a second phase of the Covid-19 Emergency Project with the aim of supporting local farmers selling fresh local produce in a number of stalls at es Mercat des Claustre and the Fish Market in Mahon.

 

Issue of concern:

Since the beginning of Covid-19, we have carried out two emergency projects, seeking to support both farmers and small local businesses, greatly affected by the closure of the hospitality sector, whilst also helping vulnerable families also affected by the sudden financial crisis on the island.

 

Project overview:

Due to the continued increase in registered users of social services and humanitarian support organisations, we felt the need to create a second Covid-19 Emergency Project in January 2021. MeP and es Mercat des Claustre in Mahon, joined forces to raise funds and support small local businesses with stalls in es Mercat des Claustre and the Fish Market in Mahon, by supplying vouchers to vulnerable families identified through the local social services. Every 2 weeks, new vouchers were supplied, to be spend in a variety of local food stalls at the market, including fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese and fish.

The total amount donated was 20,800€, resulting in 520 vouchers worth 40€ each. These were distributed to 140 vulnerable families over 9 weeks, whilst also supporting 9 market stalls. A key aspect of this second phase has been the drive towards a change in consumption habits within the families involved, by observing the benefits and opportunities of buying local produce, and opting for this in the future, over shopping in supermarkets.

 

General Project objectives:

• To strengthen the delicate financial conditions faced by local farmers.
• To confront the increase of vulnerable families in need of support due to the sudden economic crisis.
• To focus specifically on the fundamental nutritional and environmental benefits of consuming local produce, and in doing so, encouraging a change in consumption habits within the families involved, by observing the benefits and opportunities of buying local produce, and opting for this in the future, over shopping in supermarkets.

 

Collaborations:

• Cadena de favores Menorca
• Es Mercat des Claustre
• Cruz Roja