Cooperative housing has been around for a long time.
In the recent past, however, the principle has also enjoyed growing popularity in other areas.
We took a look at how a hands-on supermarket works.
Munich - ringing! The noise can be heard over and over again. Error message. Quentin Orain (29) is typing around on the cash register display and wrinkling his forehead. "Hm. Do I find mushrooms under C or under P like mushrooms? ”He asks in a low voice. The Munich native actually works as a project manager in the automotive industry. Today he is sitting for the first time at the cash register in the “Food Hub Munich *”, the only supermarket in the city based on solidarity on Deisenhofener Strasse in Giesing.
On the day of the opening, things are turbulent, even a bit chaotic.
And that is wanted.
Strictly speaking, the customers are cooperative members, co-owners and employees of the shop.
For a one-time fee of 180 euros and ten euros per year, members can choose from a full range of products on 300 square meters.
But only if they work at least three hours a month - in administration, on the shelves or at the cash register.
“You can learn everything,” says Kristin Mansmann, one of the three full-time board members.
New supermarket in Munich: "Around five passers-by a day as new members"
While Mansmann instructs the employees, many people from Obergiesing pause curiously at the shop window. “In the past two weeks in which we prepared everything here, we have gained around five passers-by as new members a day. We are growing fast, ”says the economist. Only if you are a member can shop here - together with a friend or two household members. So far the cooperative has 710 members, many more can be added. The prices in the not-for-profit market are only about 30 percent above the purchase price for most products - so the members also save.
Mansmann: "I did the math for my family of four: I save around 20 percent compared to the normal market." Software developer Marco P. has a different motivation: "This creates a sense of community and in the evening you know what you've done", he says.
“Completely different than in the home office at home on the computer.” At the back left of the meat shelf, a customer reads a notice.
A picture of pigs in a meadow.
Next to it is: "Pig No. 1, dismantled 6.7.21".
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Luckily for a good cause: Software developer Marco P. from Untergiesing likes the concept that combines fair payment for dealers, regional products and low prices.
© Marcus sleep
"Food Hub" supermarket in Munich: Member for sure - "This example will set an example"
Every pig processed for “Food Hub” is given a number and the customer is close to the retailer. There are currently around 80, all of them from the region. “A farmer delivered the cherries to us yesterday, you won't get your goods that fresh anywhere,” says Uwe Linke from Sendling, who has worked with us in the past few days and is now rewarding himself with the first purchase in his own shop. He is certain: "This example will set an example."
Co-initiator Kristin Mansmann adds: “Copycats are welcome. We have already applied for a shop in Schwabing-West *. ”At the cash register, things are still going very slowly. It takes just under ten minutes for Uwe Linke's weekly shopping to be scanned. The cress? Not excellent. Linke quickly runs to the salad shelf himself. After all, he already knows his way around here a little. The Sendlinger understands and is happy to wait. Who knows: maybe he'll soon be sitting behind the cash register himself.
* tz.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
