Caritas Market
People affected by poverty can do their shopping in the 23 Caritas Markets across Switzerland upon presentation of an entitlement card. The savings compared to retailers are up to 70 percent. The range of products includes basic foodstuffs, fresh produce, hygiene products and all the important daily necessities. In addition to many well-known branded goods, retailers’ own-brand goods are also available. The products are always of perfect quality and they are subject to the provisions of the Swiss Foodstuffs Act (FSA).
Anyone who is financially disadvantaged is entitled to shop in a Caritas Market. This may include people who are living on or below the poverty line, people who are receiving welfare benefits or AHV/IV supplementary benefits, people who are participating in a debt restructuring programme or people who have a KulturLegi culture pass.
The Caritas Market Cooperative supports programmes for unemployed people and employs people taking part in these projects in its shops. These individuals receive retail training, helping to improve their chances of re-entering the mainstream labour market. There are also a lot of volunteers working in the Caritas Markets and their hard work helps to keep these establishments running. The Caritas Market is an initiative of the national Caritas network.
Your local Caritas Market
The Caritas Markets in the regions are run by the independent regional Caritas organisations. They fund the running costs from their own resources. They do not receive any direct government support.
Fill a shopping basket
More and more people in Switzerland are being referred to the Caritas Markets. Help people in need by donating to the Caritas Market.
Contact
Caritas Market Cooperative
Mettenwilstrasse 18
CH-6203 Sempach Station
+41 41 289 13 13kontakt@caritas-markt.ch
Telephone Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5.30 p.m.
Header image: An employee serving customers in the Caritas Market in Freiburg, Germany. © Caritas Freiburg