Mercato Metropolitano’s Christmas Mission: Bringing cheer and support to London’s vulnerable
Mercato Metropolitano, London’s pioneering sustainable community food market, has unveiled its heartfelt Christmas Campaign, aiming to make a positive impact on 1,190 families and vulnerable individuals in hard-to-reach communities during the holiday season. The initiative comprises a series of thoughtful measures to ensure that no one is left without the joy of Christmas.
Beyond the festive season, Mercato Metropolitano is embarking on a lasting mission to champion communities in need across the city. The driving force behind this broader initiative, known as Movimento Metropolitano, seeks to provide support to an impressive 65,000 families, vulnerable adults, and individuals in local communities throughout London over the next five years.
London is grappling with the challenges of a cost-of-living crisis, significantly impacting communities. The holiday period intensifies these struggles, particularly for families already strained to meet basic needs. Disturbingly, statistics from the Felix Project reveal that 25% of working families in London have faced difficulties in providing meals for their households on multiple occasions in the past year. Additionally, 14% of working families in the city have turned to food support services for the first time within the last year.
This compassionate campaign underscores Mercato Metropolitano’s unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing issues confronting London’s most vulnerable communities. Grounded in the belief that everyone deserves the right to access food, the initiative reflects the market’s determination to make quality food accessible to all. By extending support beyond the holiday season, Mercato Metropolitano strives to be a beacon of hope for those navigating the challenges brought about by the cost-of-living crisis, reinforcing the importance of community and collective well-being.
With this vision in mind, Mercato Metropolitano has announced a range of Christmas events:
- Santa’s Grotto, 24 November – 24 December, Mercato Mayfair: Santa’s Grotto includes a performance of The Night Before Christmas, with half of the tickets provided free of charge to children with special education needs (SEN), children at the Evelina Hospital and low-income families.
- Christmas Eve Disco Soup, 24 December, Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle: This event will offer everyone the chance to enjoy a free warm meal and live music on Christmas Eve. The informal gathering, centred around the ideals of togetherness and festivity, is aimed at overcoming social exclusion and food insecurity in a celebratory spirit. Everyone is welcome, with a bowl of hot soup while a DJ plays Christmas music.
- Christmas Lunch with Peckham Soup Kitchen, 25 December, Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle: This special Christmas lunch, in partnership with Peckham Soup Kitchen, will bring together up to 150 people, with a full chef-made Christmas lunch, fun games and gifts.
Mercato Metropolitano has partnered with The Felix Project, Centrepoint and FoodCycle, who are looking for food donations. Please contact community@mercatometropolitano.com to make your donation.
Andrea Rasca, the Founder and CEO of Mercato Metropolitano, said: “We strongly stand for the power of community and everyone’s right to food. This year many people have continued to battle the cost-of-living crisis and we know that Christmas can add another layer of pressure on families. Meanwhile, many other people in the capital are battling isolation and loneliness.
“Christmas is about bringing people together to enjoy each other’s company and enjoy food. At Mercato Metropolitano we are committed to bringing together the local community so everyone can experience the joy of the holidays.
“But it doesn’t just stop at Christmas – Mercato Metropolitano has an ambitious plan to keep helping communities in London with an aim to support 65,000 families, vulnerable adults and people over the next five years, through our work with partners and projects at our market locations across London.”
