Santa Cruz de Tenerife Renews Direct Grocery Aid Program Through 2028
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has extended its direct aid program through 2028, continuing to provide vulnerable households with prepaid grocery cards to ensure greater autonomy and dignity in accessing essential supplies.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is continuing its direct aid model for vulnerable residents for the next three years. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez and Social Policies Councilor Charín González announced this week that the city’s partnership with the 5 Océanos supermarket chain will remain a key part of its social assistance program.
This system allows families to buy essential groceries with greater independence. Since May 2025, the city has issued 2,233 aid cards to 1,533 households. Much like the city’s existing HiperDino card program, these cards give families the flexibility to choose the food and supplies that best meet their specific needs.
The program has invested a total of 294,329 euros to date. Funding has increased over time: in 2025, the city allocated 91,504 euros for 1,051 cards, while in 2026, that figure rose to 202,824 euros for 1,182 cards. The average value of the aid has also seen a slight increase, moving from 43 euros to 45 euros per card.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife first introduced this model in 2019, marking a significant shift in how the city provides support. By moving away from pre-packaged food parcels and toward prepaid cards, the local government aims to offer more dignity and autonomy to those in need. Beneficiaries receive their cards every other Wednesday, allowing them to shop for what they need at participating stores.
By renewing the agreement with 5 Océanos through 2028, the City Council is ensuring that this support remains available. Officials view the program as a vital tool for helping the city’s most disadvantaged households navigate the ongoing economic crisis.