Question of need

New Sonnenmarkt opens with nuances

Competition or a useful addition? Eisenstadt already has the Pannonische Tafel and the Red Cross food bank. Now a social market has also been opened.

(Bild: P. Huber)

The state is launching a new social supermarket in Eisenstadt - even though there are already two existing food banks there. This is causing criticism.

Burgenland is stepping on the gas in the social sector: the state's sixth social market opened on Wednesday. The Sonnenmarkt is located at Joseph-Joachim-Straße 11 in Eisenstadt and offers food, hygiene and household products at a lower price than in normal shops. All Burgenland residents whose monthly net income does not exceed 1392 euros for a single person or 2088 euros for a household with two people can shop here.

Food and social work
There is also a café on site that offers coffee and cake for little money. Inexpensive lunch menus will also be available from June. An adult social worker will also be on site regularly. A second-hand clothing area is also integrated into the market.

Self-determined and with dignity
"The Sonnenmärkte enable people with a limited budget to do their shopping with self-determination and dignity. They combat poverty with their business model, ensure that food is handled sustainably and that any stigmatization is avoided with an open and positive approach," explained Leonhard Schneemann, State Councillor for Social Affairs, at the launch. The goal of creating a Sonnenmarkt in every district is almost complete.

The new Sonnenmarkt in Eisenstadt is operated by soogut-Sozialmarkt GmbH.

(Bild: LMS)

Already the third social supermarket in the provincial capital
However, Andrea Roschek, who has been running the Pannonische Tafel for around 15 years, is not so happy about the opening. She does not believe that Eisenstadt needs a third service in addition to her own and the Red Cross food bank. Especially as there is only a certain amount of food - mainly fresh produce - available from the supermarkets. "The Red Cross and we have already struggled to get enough food and now the supermarkets are joining in," she says.

Food bank gives out "basics" for free
From her point of view, it would make more sense to strengthen the existing food banks instead of spending a lot of money on running a social market. Especially as the Pannonische Tafel - unlike the Sonnenmarkt - distributes "basics" such as rice or pasta as well as hygiene products free of charge. Only the "luxury boxes" with cheese and sausage have to be paid for. The Greens also accuse Provincial Councillor Schneemann of creating artificial competition.

There are social markets all over Austria. They are aimed at people on low incomes.

(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

"No competition"
Schneemann's office rejects this: "The Sonnenmärkte do not take away any goods. They only cooperate with retail companies, just as the Pannonische Tafel does." The state-owned markets would also not represent competition, as they are far more than just social markets thanks to their café and social work. In addition, the Sonnenmärkte would offer the long-term unemployed the opportunity to find their way back into working life through transit jobs. "We are convinced that work is a cornerstone of self-esteem and integration," emphasizes the office.

Roschek wants to respond
In any case, Roschek is considering starting its own food distribution service in Oberwart, where there is already a Sonnenmarkt, and distributing basic foodstuffs there free of charge.