Another year is coming to an end and, in these special times before celebrating Christmas and New Year with family and friends, one may have a thought for all those who do not have the same financial means as others.

Of course, thinking about giving a hand to people in need is not limited to this period. Food charity came back to light in France some 25 years ago in the aftermath of the economic crisis. Initiatives such as the Food Banks, or the ‘restos du coeur’ (restaurants of the heart), created by a late French humorist, once designed to be temporary, are now firmly grounded in France every winter. Besides those, we too quickly labelled as “the poor” a new generation of people who have a regular job, but one that does not pay much - not enough to cope with the monthly rent and basic shopping, such as food.

Food charity Andes, which provides subsidised groceries, is particularly close to this demographic and its outlets are places where people can buy food at the lowest prices. This means that people still have to buy food, not just be offered it for free. This is certainly the association’s main difference from its charity counterparts - in doing so, Andes preserves the dignity of people in need.

I have already had the opportunity to write about the Andes-Rungis project, backed by the French authorities and in operation since April 14 , 2008. A job integration workshop is run by Andes on the market, where surpluses are collected and sorted to provide a more varied diet to their beneficiaries, who have no access to certain fresh products because of lack of means. More than five tonnes of fresh produce every day are distributed to different charities and supply the Andes grocery outlets.

Several weeks ago, the association held its national meeting in Rungis. “Quite normal,” said the president of Andes, who happens to be a well-known TV anchorman. Sociologists and experts talked on the evolution of poverty in France and tried to talk through issues. Two pieces of news have been quite comforting. First, a survey showed that when a fresh produce corner exists in an Andes grocery outlet, consumption frequency rockets by 43 per cent for fruits and 20 per cent for vegetables. Second, Andes announced the opening of two new sites in the South West (Perpignan on the Saint Charles import market) and the South East (expected on Marseille wholesale market in 2010) and talks should also begin with Nantes market. The same process will be applied there - collect and sort surpluses, but also buy fresh produce from wholesalers. Andes does not want to rely only on unsold fruit and vegetables, but to be a part of the economic chain as it tries to maintain underprivileged people. This step is a beautiful lesson in life and in being simply human.

I wish all readers of FPJ a Merry Christmas and a happy, fruitful year in 2010.