Program Overview and Objectives
The Jefa de Gobierno, Clara Brugada Molina, led the distribution of 35,000 Mercomuna vouchers in the Magdalena Mixhuca area of Iztacalco, Mexico City. Mercomuna (Mercado, Comunidad y Abasto) is a social policy that strengthens the popular economy and ensures access to essential food and products. It also promotes local commerce in neighborhoods, villages, and colonias within the capital.
Mercomuna functions as a social currency, enabling beneficiary families to purchase necessities such as meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, groceries, clothing, and other essential items at public markets, neighborhood stores, and small businesses. This ensures that public resources remain within the communities.
Program Expansion and Impact
By 2026, the program will increase its support to 3,000 pesos per family and double the number of beneficiaries across Mexico City. According to INEGI data, one in five families in the capital faces difficulties accessing sufficient nutrition. Mercomuna directly addresses this issue by improving their well-being.
Currently, Mercomuna benefits 330,000 families. The program’s success has allowed it to expand beyond Iztapalapa, now implemented citywide. Daily distributions reach approximately 70,000 beneficiaries, impacting 335,000 people.
Key Features and Benefits
- Social Currency: Mercomuna operates as a social currency, allowing beneficiary families to purchase essential goods and services from local businesses.
- Transparency and Freedom: The program ensures a transparent and free exercise of support, enabling families to decide what to purchase based on their needs.
- Community Economy Strengthening: Mercomuna guarantees that vouchers are used exclusively in small, local businesses, preventing public resources from concentrating in large commercial chains.
- Inclusive Policy: The program targets individuals aged 19 to 56 residing in Mexico City, promoting social equity and well-being.
Supporting Officials and Future Plans
The event was attended by several officials, including the Secretaries of Economic Development, Trabajo y Fomento al Empleo, Obras y Servicios, Planeación, Ordenamiento Territorial y Coordinación Metropolitana, as well as the subsecretary of Attention and Citizen Participation. The responsible for Mercomuna, Vladimir Flores Vargas, and the coordinator of the Historic Center Authority, Carlos Cervantes Godoy, were also present.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Mercomuna? Mercomuna is a social policy in Mexico City that functions as a social currency, ensuring access to essential goods and services while promoting local commerce.
- How will Mercomuna change by 2026? By 2026, the program will provide 3,000 pesos per family and double the number of beneficiaries across Mexico City.
- Who benefits from Mercomuna? The program targets individuals aged 19 to 56 residing in Mexico City, promoting social equity and well-being.
- How does Mercomuna support local businesses? Mercomuna guarantees that vouchers are used exclusively in small, local businesses, preventing public resources from concentrating in large commercial chains.
