Mission Mercal, officially launched on 24 April 2003 is a
Bolivarian Mission established in
Venezuela
Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...
under the government of
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (; ; 28 July 1954 – 5 March 2013) was a Venezuelan politician, Bolivarian Revolution, revolutionary, and Officer (armed forces), military officer who served as the 52nd president of Venezuela from 1999 until De ...
. The Mission involves a state-run company called ''Mercados de Alimentos, C.A.'' (MERCAL), which provides subsidised food and basic goods through a nationwide chain of stores.
Mission Mercal stores and cooperatives are mostly located in impoverished areas and sell generic-branded foods at discounts as great as 50%. While the company is heavily funded by the government, the goal was to become self-sufficient by replacing food imports with products from local farmers, small businesses, and cooperatives (many of whom have received microcredits from Mercal).
Since at least 2014, customers have said that there is a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at these stores change constantly.
[ Some customers complained about rationing being enforced at Mercal stores due to the lack of products.][
]
History
On 25 April 2003 broadcast of the television show Aló Presidente
''Aló Presidente'' (English: ''Hello, Mr. President'') was a long-running, unscripted talk show hosted by Hugo Chávez, former President of Venezuela. It was broadcast on Venezuelan state television and radio channels, including Venezolana de Te ...
, Chávez expressed his outrage at Venezuela's lack of food sovereignty
Food sovereignty is a food system in which the people who produce, distribute, and consume food also control the mechanisms and policies of food production and Food distribution, distribution. This stands in contrast to the present corporate Agr ...
, and Mission Mercal was officially launched on 24 April.
In 2006 some 11.36 million Venezuelans benefited from Mercal food programs on a regular basis. At least 14,208 Mission Mercal food distribution sites were spread throughout Venezuela, and 4,543 metric tons of food distributed each day.
In 2010 Mercal was reported as having 16,600 outlets, "ranging from street-corner shops to huge warehouse stores," in addition to 6000 soup kitchen
A soup kitchen, food kitchen, or meal center is a place where food is offered to Hunger, hungry and homeless people, usually for no price, cost, or sometimes at a below-market price (such as coin Donation, donations). Frequently located in Low i ...
s. Mercal employs 85,000 workers.
Food and discounts offered
Victuals offered by Mission Mercal include everything from meat and dairy (including powdered milk and cheese), to fresh produce, preserved foodstuffs, grains and cereals, fruits, vegetable oils, and mineral salts. These goods are offered in Mercal-affiliated establishments at discounts averaging between 25% and 50%.
Shortages
Since at least 2014, shortages have affected Mercal stores. Customers have waited in long lines for discounted products and there has been a lack of products in Mercal stores and that items available at the stores change constantly.
See also
* PDVAL
* Economic policy of the Hugo Chávez government
An economy is an area of the Production (economics), production, Distribution (economics), distribution and trade, as well as Consumption (economics), consumption of Goods (economics), goods and Service (economics), services. In general, it is ...
References
External links
Misión Mercal
— Official governmental portal for Mission Mercal.
Mercal
— Official Mission Mercal factsheet.
{{authority control
Bolivarian missions
Food politics
Food sovereignty
Government-owned companies of Venezuela
Military of Venezuela
Politics of Venezuela
Venezuelan brands
Supermarkets of Venezuela