By Adewale Banjo
A non-governmental organisation, (NGO), Inspire Lagos Food Market, has launched a food hub where it offers a 50 per cent discounted price for essential food items to Lagos residents.
It said the food hub was launched in order to curb the rising cost of food items and tackle the surge of food insecurity.
The food project aimed at addressing the food crisis has affected the living condition of most low income earners, preventing them from eating a balanced diet.
Recognizing the challenge, the NGO is implementing a strategy to make its services more affect and accessible to the local communities with the 50 per cent discounted price.
The Convener, Abiola Adebajo, said the initiative is meant to alleviate the economic strain on Lagosians and ensure no one goes to bed hungry, saying things can get better through collective effort.
Adebajo said the Inspire Lagos Food Market would help to relieve the financial burden on families across 20 local government areas, where about 5,000 indigent Nigerians in each local government can buy food at a discounted rate, ensuring more Lagosians have access to affordable and nutritious food.
He said: “Government cannot do it alone, that is why we must look for ways to support the government to solve our problems.”
Adebajo stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure more individuals benefit from the initiative.
He said the NGO’s strategic plan in addressing inflated prices from other sources, would help to establish a more favourable pricing structure in the market.
Also, the NGO is to balance the discounts with its funding model designed to cushion price surge.
“We are calling for partnerships, sponsorships to sustainably provide these discounts without compromising their financial stability,” he said.
He urged well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations that are keen with CSR to partner and support the initiative.
Furthermore, he said the initiative would help traders to sell at 50 per cent discounted price. Adebajo said his team gets sponsorship to augment the food items while Lagosians purchased at the discounted price.
Chairman of the central working committee, Adesina Adele, said for the process to be convenient, and ensure it is transparent and smooth, the NGO will employ the use of LASRRA.
Adele said Lagos residents who do not have the document can register because there would be provision and opportunities to register.
The online audience can pre-order and pick up at the inspired food location. He said the initiative offered a lifeline by slashing food prices to half, enabling more families to maintain a balanced diet despite the financial strain.