Paper short abstract:

In this paper, we will focus on selected dimensions of food supply in Zagreb during the epidemic of COVID-19. We will pay special attention to the consequences of the closure of city food markets, as well as to the alternative forms of assistance regarding food supply of vulnerable social groups.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper, we will focus on selected dimensions of food supply in Zagreb during the epidemic of COVID-19. Starting from the understanding of markets as a public space and one of the focal points of citizens’ daily rhythm, we will highlight some aspects of food markets’ "life" during the lockdown in Croatia. The closure of markets has made people aware of the importance of local food production and distribution, i.e. its availability, especially to the marginalized groups. The devastating earthquake that hit Zagreb during the lockdown had a strong impact on the daily lives of the city's residents and thus on the food supply. The consequences of lockdown and earthquake had a particular influence on marginalized social groups (e.g. homeless and very poor citizens), for whom markets, as a highly inclusive social space, also serve as a place to meet some of the basic needs.

By analysing the public (media) discourse that followed the changes in the status of food markets we tried to find out how the users, producers, suppliers, and sellers of Zagreb markets experienced and survived this interruption. Some of the questions we’ll raise in this paper are: What were the food supply strategies in such a situation? How did food producers cope with demands spawned by this crisis? What alternative forms of assistance to vulnerable social groups in the city of Zagreb has the current crisis produced? Do any of these spontaneously and crisis-driven mechanisms have the potential for future improvement of urban life?