Families benefiting from the Kent Market initiative, launched by Bornova Municipality to support residents facing economic hardship, came together at New Year’s dinner events. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki met with residents at four different gatherings and shared positive news for the new year. As a New Year’s gift, Mayor Eşki announced that additional credit would be added in December in proportion to everyone’s existing balance, and that Kent Kasap—where residents will be able to purchase affordable meat—will begin operating very soon.

By opening Kent Markets in Bornova Center, Işıkkent, Yeşilçam, Naldöken, Altındağ, Serintepe, Çamdibi, and Doğanlar, the municipality provides free and independent shopping opportunities to residents. Through the events it organized, the municipality brought together Kent Market beneficiaries at New Year’s dinners. The gatherings, held at Çamdibi Marketplace, Işıkkent Wedding Hall, Atatürk Neighborhood Sırrı Aydoğan Cultural Center, and Doğanlar Aysel Bayraktar Cultural Center, were attended by Mayor Eşki, who stated that approximately 3,500 households are reached through the Kent Market program.

Turkey’s Most Affordable Meat at Kent Kasap

Explaining that Bornova Municipality serves residents through 7 Kent Markets and 3 Kent Restaurants, Mayor Eşki said they will soon open Kent Kasap so residents can buy meat at affordable prices. “With the butcher shop we will open in Kızılay Neighborhood, we will offer Turkey’s most affordable meat to Bornova residents. Those who benefit from Kent Market will also be able to use this service. While cubed meat costs 700–800, even 900 TL per kilo elsewhere, we will offer it at 590 TL, and ground meat at 490 TL,” he said.

Speaking at the events, Mayor Ömer Eşki drew attention to the country’s economic conditions, stating: “We are living in a period when social assistance is greatly needed. People cannot afford medical treatment, cannot buy their medications, and cannot pay their rent. Our citizens—especially our young people—are struggling with unemployment. As a municipality, our budget for social assistance is limited, but we are doing the best we can with the resources we have.”

New Year, New Hope

Emphasizing that coping with economic difficulties is challenging, Mayor Eşki said: “We are working so that Bornova residents can claim what is rightfully theirs. A new year means new hope. Our hope is for elections to be held and for justice to return to this country. Together, we will overcome injustice and lawlessness.”

7 Branches Serving 3,500 Households

Kent Market, which offers a wide range of products from basic food items to hygiene supplies, serves 3,500 households through 7 branches across Bornova. Residents whose income levels are officially verified can meet their needs free of charge using a credit card–like system, with monthly balances loaded onto their cards. With the addition of the Pınarbaşı and Yeşilova–Karacaoğlan Kent Markets, the total number of branches is planned to increase to 9.