'The Market Place' to provide food relief
26 March 2014
The Salvation Army in Adelaide launched a new initiative to help the disadvantaged community of Adelaide. “The Market Place”, based at the City Salvos Church in Adelaide, allows those in need to access free fresh food, healthy eating tips and social connection.
Captain Matt Reeve, who is the corps officer at the City Salvos Church in Adelaide, said that the Market Place is a ground-breaking opportunity to help struggling families in the city.
The Market Place will help to meet a significant need in the city to provide additional food relief to those in need. Over 14,000 people seeking food relief each month are unable to be assisted (40% of these people are children) according to the End Hunger in Australia Foodbank Report 2014.
At the Market Place stalls of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods will be available for the community to select from. With a ‘help yourself’ approach, shoppers will be provided with a shopping bag to
As well as providing food relief The Market Place aims to:
- Help those in need to make healthy selections in a dignified and supportive environment
- Teach food knowledge and cooking skills to assist in healthier eating and use of fresh produce
- Reach the lonely, isolated, vulnerable and disconnected
“The Market Place will also allow for personal interaction to socially isolated people in the community,” said Captain Reeve.
The Salvation Army’s National Economic & Social Impact Survey 2013 surveyed over 2700 Salvation Army emergency relief clients and found that 36% of our clients do not have regular contact with others. For 87% of these people, this is because they cannot afford to do so.
The Market Place will operate on the first Friday morning of each month at The Salvation Army at 277 Pirie Street, Adelaide.
Foodbank SA, Oz Harvest SA and Second Bite have partnered with The Salvation Army to make this possible.