Montevideo began direct purchases of fruits and vegetables from rural producers for soup kitchens and snack centers

The Intendencia de Montevideo made its first direct purchase of fruits and vegetables from rural producers in the department for soup kitchens and snack centers, Subrayado reported. The operation was channeled through the Sociedad de Fomento y Defensa Agraria.

According to that outlet, the purchase amounted to between 1,500 and 2,000 kilos in the month and is aimed at supplying between 85 and 90 soup kitchens and snack centers in the capital that are outside the Soup Kitchen Network.

Gonzalo Guedes, director of Rural Infrastructure for the municipality, told Subrayado that the measure seeks both to guarantee quality food for those who need it most and to ensure producers a direct purchase by the state.

Among the products sold are goods of good quality that sometimes face difficulties entering supermarkets because of presentation issues. Producer Santiago Balestrasse sent an initial shipment of onions and praised the initiative, according to Subrayado.

Guedes also noted that the Intendencia is working to make this scheme stop being monthly and become weekly.

Subrayado also reported that in Montevideo Rural there are some 1,300 producers across different sectors and that, although production did not fall, the number of producers did decline, especially the smallest ones. Among the reasons mentioned are a lack of profitability and difficulties in marketing.

Martín Bellenda, of the Sociedad de Fomento y Defensa Agraria, told that outlet that the lack of competitiveness is complicating the sector, while José Janavel, a rural producer, said profitability is now the main problem.

Sources

• Subrayado

About this note. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not do its own reporting on this event.