Select a region
A local supermarket chain has teamed up with taxi drivers to deliver 'bags of basics' to islanders from tomorrow.
The partnership between Alliance and the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association follows a call-out to food retailers and suppliers from the Jersey Consumer Council to help islanders who might struggle to get their weekly shop in the current circumstances.
The Jersey Consumer Council has used the information and data it has been collecting on food prices since the autumn to determine the content and cost of the 'Bag of Basics.'
Costing £20 – which includes delivery – the bag is a standard and set group of items that, on average, every household will use. It will include:
Nicky De Veulle, Finance Director for Alliance Supermarket, which has four outlets across the island, said the chain was pleased to help to help kickstart the initiative.
“‘Bag of Basics’ not only provides a service to those people who are struggling to do their shopping, but also allows us to support taxi drivers who are currently out of work,” she said.
“We look forward to working together with the JCC and the islands taxi drivers and hope that the service provides customers with an easier way of accessing these essential items during this difficult period.”
“We are delighted to be able to get this scheme launched with the support of such a big retailer in Jersey and thank Alliance for helping us,” the Chair of Consumer Council, Carl Walker, said.
Pictured: Carl Walker, the chair of the Consumer Council. (Credit: Carl Walker/Twitter)
“We understand that all food retailers are trying their best to meet the demands of the consumer and food delivery is becoming more important as each day passes. This approach allows the consumer to know exactly what they will get, keeps it simple for the retailers and easy for the deliverers. We are aware that this will not be the long-term solution, but it is at least a step in the right direction.”
Mr Walker said that in order for the scheme to work for everyone, it has to be kept “as simple as possible”. Those who use the service will therefore be unable to swap any items.
The JCC Chairman also said it was important not to discriminate - there will neither be a limit on the number of orders, nor any age or health restrictions.
“There are perfectly healthy or young people who, through no fault of their own but due to their own personal circumstances, simply cannot get to a food shop routinely enough to keep the house running,” Mr Walker said.
“This Bag of Basics is simple and enough to see them through until they – or someone else – can do a fuller and bigger shop.”
Pictured: Alliance Supermarket is the first to support the initiative.
Mr Walker said it made perfect sense to put taxi drivers, who are currently out of work and know the island’s roads like no one else, and food retailers who are looking for more ways to get their items delivered, together.
“Doing so means the food retailers can keep things simple, reach the people they need to, while allowing the drivers to earn a small amount also,” he said.
Mick Tostevin, Jersey Taxi Drivers’ Association Secretary, added: “We are pleased to be helping the local community by supporting the Jersey Consumer Council with their initiative to work with Alliance in order to offer Islanders the opportunity to purchase essential goods delivered to their homes for a set fee.”
To order a Bag of Basics, which costs £20, islanders should email askjersey@alliance.gg, giving their name, address and telephone number, or call 01534 786746 between the hours of 09:00 and 12:00, Monday to Friday, starting from tomorrow (7 April).
Payment will be taken over the telephone so that no cash is exchanged. The driver will leave the shopping on the doorstep, knock on the door and return to their vehicle.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.