Study findings signal social supermarkets’ success

AN independent study has highlighted the significant value of community-led social supermarkets such as Bendigo Foodshare’s pop-up market pilot.

Commissioned by the Regional Food Security Alliance and funded by the state government, the study is the first of its kind in Australia to assess the social, economic and environmental value created via these types of initiatives.

It found that $10.70 of social and economic value is generated for every dollar equivalent invested in cash, volunteer time, donated food and in-kind support.

The research included stakeholder interviews, surveys of adult food recipients and volunteers across Albury-Wodonga Foodshare, Geelong Foodshare and the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council in Mildura, as well as insights from Bendigo Foodshare.

The evaluation also found that the four social supermarkets create $68m in total value across multiple stakeholder groups.

“This research confirms what we see every day – when people can access affordable, nutritious food in a welcoming and dignified environment, the benefits extend far beyond the shopping basket,” Bendigo Foodshare chief executive officer Michelle Murphy said.

Carers and volunteers minister Luba Grigorovitch said social supermarkets are proving what Victorians have always known.

“When communities come together, they achieve extraordinary things,” she said.

“Every dollar invested in these supermarkets generates more than $10 of real value for families doing it tough, and that’s powered in no small part by the incredible volunteers who give their time to make them work.”

Bendigo Foodshare’s pop-up pilot (the Good Food For All Voucher Program) provides $50 gift cards to eligible families to buy fresh produce.

In its first four months over $6,000 and 850kg worth of produce was purchased through 140 gift card redemptions.