Hard times could see food vouchers in Cyprus

LIMASSOL Municipality is looking to open a supermarket to provide free food to low income families in the coming months.
Under the scheme, which has been successfully piloted in Greece and other countries, families can apply for food vouchers for a given period; say a year, which can be redeemed for groceries.
Andreas Christou, Limassol Mayor, learned about the pilot scheme when a delegation visited Athens one month ago. He said yesterday “We picked this idea up from the Athens Municipality who, with the help of Carrefour supermarket, is helping to provide food to 200 Greek families. This is what we are trying to do in Cyprus.”
Limassol Municipality also hopes to work with Carrefour in Cyprus on a similar scheme. Christou said “We are examining the possibility of Carrefour doing it in Cyprus. If it is not possible we will approach other supermarkets. The main thing is to find a supplier, and we are still at the beginning.”
If the plan goes ahead, Christou suggested the supermarket might be located near Ayios Ioannis village, and while stressed that although no decision had been taken yet, he hoped that the municipality could work together with Social Welfare service to assist 200 families, for a period of six months to a year.
According to Politis, Limassol’s Social Welfare Committee has agreed to adopt and promote the scheme once an investigation has shown that it is necessary. Evi Tsolakis, Chairman of the Committee, said the final outcome will depend on the joint investigation by welfare services and the Municipality.
This will be the first initiative of its kind in Cyprus, which until now has not opted into a similar EU scheme to receive food for Cyprus’ poor.
Nineteen EU member states including Greece, have subscribed to the European Commission scheme, receiving almost €500 million in 2010. Greece received €20 million worth of food.
Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said of the programme: ‘It is a practical way in which the European Union can help some of the neediest people in society. We must therefore carry out this programme in the right way so that the products actually reach those who need them.’
If the Limassol Municipality’s investigation demonstrates a need for food aid, Cyprus can apply to join the 2011 EU plan.

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