'Part Discount Grocer, Part Social Connection: Defining Elements of Social Supermarkets', Centre for Social Impact

This research paper by the Centre for Social Impact Flinders examines the role of social supermarkets as a progressive model for addressing food insecurity. Social supermarkets combine the affordability of discount grocery stores with opportunities for social connection and support, moving beyond traditional food relief.

Key Features:

1. Dignified access to food: provides affordable, nutritious food in a retail-like setting that prioritises choice, respect, and dignity for clients.
2. Blended service models: incorporates financial, social, and emotional supports alongside food provision, including access to wraparound services like mental health support and employment programs.
3. Community connection: fosters informal and formal social interactions, with spaces like cafés and community kitchens to encourage relationship-building and inclusion.
4. Pathways out of food insecurity: offers skill development programs, volunteering opportunities, and food education initiatives to empower clients and support long-term independence.
5. Framework for social supermarkets: presents a 14-element rubric for organisations to design and implement social supermarkets, focusing on sustainable operations, partnerships, and continuous improvement.

Why It Matters:
Social supermarkets provide a holistic approach to tackling food insecurity, addressing the root causes through community engagement, skill-building, and social inclusion. This model offers a pathway for organisations to reimagine food relief as a means of fostering resilience and dignity.