Surplus from "Markets and Markets" will be employed in the Community Kitchen

The fact that the city company "Markets and Markets" has taken over the provision of the Soup Kitchen service will enable the employment of surplus workers from Podgorica's "Markets".

This was, among other things, announced yesterday from the Capital.

Mayor Saša Mujović, as announced, assessed that the fact that "Tržnice" took over the provision of the Soup Kitchen service is "a responsible and thoughtful move by the Capital City" and that it "brings multiple benefits."

In a statement sent to the media by the city administration, they stated that Mujović met with the Secretary of the Secretariat for Social Welfare. Stefan Vešović and director of "Market and Market" Ivan Bojović, and that he "pointed out that this step enables the employment of surplus workers of this company, better use of resources and more efficient control of service quality."

"Our obligation is for the Soup Kitchen to provide quality, nutritionally rich and regular meals to all beneficiaries, with full respect for their dignity," said Mujović.

The Capital City also announced that the mayor said that this move, in addition to its economic and social effects, "also represents a significant control mechanism in emergency situations."

"Because it enables quick and organized meal preparation and support for citizens in times of crisis."

Mujović, they added, also said that such a decision "contributes to reducing dependence on external contractors and strengthening personnel and social stability."

The Soup Kitchen of the Capital City of Podgorica is located in the Konik neighborhood. About 600 meals are prepared there daily. For many years, food for the socially vulnerable, for the Soup Kitchen, based on a contract with the Capital City, has been prepared by the “Sergije Stanić” Secondary Vocational School, where, among other things, cooks are trained.

As of January 1, this job has been taken over by "Tržnice i pijace", a company founded by the Capital City. SSS "Sergije Stanić" previously told "Vijesti" that they were informed verbally that their cooperation would not be extended, just a few days before the contract expired.

They said that they were informed about this by the director of the "Market" and Vešović from the Secretariat for Social Welfare.

The public does not know the details of the contract that the Capital City, namely the Secretariat for Social Welfare, and "Markets and Markets" signed for this job, nor is it known when the contract was signed.

“Tržnica i pijaca” did not respond to questions sent by “Vijesti” two days ago. Instead, they told the editorial staff that the editorial staff's inquiry “contains items that refer to data from the contractual relationship” between the Society and the Secretariat for Social Welfare:

"We will consider it a request for free access to information, and we will respond to it within the legal deadline," they said on Tuesday, after repeated questions about cooperation with the local company.

The budget of the Capital City plans to allocate 700 thousand euros for the Soup Kitchen this year.

The decision to take over the business of preparing and delivering meals for the socially vulnerable by "Markets and Markets" was preceded by changes to the Statute of that Podgorica-based company, from the last session of the Capital City Assembly in December 2025.

The amendments thus added additional activities: retail trade in non-specialized stores, mainly of food, beverages or tobacco, restaurant and mobile catering activities, catering (delivery of prepared food) and advertising agency activities.

Two days ago, the executive director of “Tržnica” Ivan Bojović told TV Vijesti's “Boje jutra” that the systematization of jobs in the company is underway. He added that the systematization will be completed “as soon as possible.”