The Izmir Tanzim Satış Piyasaları (IZMAR) project, which was launched by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to provide city residents with access to healthy, natural and high-quality basic needs at affordable prices, is rapidly spreading. The second branch of the project was opened by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay in a joyful ceremony in Menemen Ulukent. Speaking at the opening, Mayor Tugay announced that the third IZMAR branch would be opened in Gaziemir, and said, “Izmir will be the center of healthy production, healthy consumption and healthy food.”
IZMAR, a new generation social solidarity market developed by IZTARIM AŞ., one of the important affiliates of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, aims to meet the basic needs of citizens below market prices during this period of economic difficulties. The first step of the project was taken in Karabağlar Bozyaka. Mayor Tugay, who cut the opening ribbon of the second branch in Ulukent together with the citizens, stated that new branches will continue to be opened in line with the demands of the people. After the opening, Mayor Tugay and his delegation made their first purchases at the market. Mayor Tugay's first customers were 12-year-old Enes Özlük, 9-year-old Selin Evgi and 12-year-old Kuzey Taşan. Mayor Tugay, who added the children's requests to his basket, emphasized that IZMAR is a place belonging to the people.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Council CHP Group Deputy Chairman Altan İnanç, Çiğli Mayor Onur Emrah Yıldız, İZTARIM AŞ. General Manager Öztürk Kurt and İZTARIM AŞ. Chairman of the Board of Directors Candaş Yeter also attended and supported the opening ceremony.
“We Will Never Compromise on Quality and Health”
In his speech at the ceremony, President Tugay stated that every detail of the İZMAR project was meticulously planned and implemented. President Tugay said, “We opened the first branch in Bozyaka. Today, we are opening the second branch in Ulukent. The third branch will be opened in Gaziemir. New ones will continue to be opened upon the demand of our people. We will continue to open as long as our people want them. This is a place that belongs to the people,” and drew attention to the difficulty of accessing healthy food, especially in cheap shopping. President Tugay stated that quality and health are compromised with price drops, and emphasized that this situation will never be the case at İZMAR. President Tugay emphasized that their aim is to offer affordable products, but that these products must definitely be healthy, and said, “We will not allow people to be exposed to any unhealthy food or other consumer goods. İzmir will be the center of healthy production, healthy consumption, and healthy food. This is something we attach great importance to and work hard on.”
Affordable Water and IZMAR Branded Products on the Shelves
Providing information about the products in the market, President Tugay announced that water obtained from their own resources will be sold at half the market price at the water sales station set up right next door. President Tugay stated that products such as İZMAR branded yogurt and butter produced in İZTARIM's facilities in Bayındır will also be available in İZMAR markets, and that other delicatessen products will continue to be produced in the future. He stated that there will be no doubt about the health and safety of these products and that they will be on the shelves at prices at least 25% more affordable than similar products in the market.
Tansaş Model is Reviving
Mayor Tugay reminded us of the Tansaş model that has an important place in the memories of the people of İzmir and emphasized that İZMAR will provide services with a similar understanding. “There used to be a Tansaş in İzmir. We would shop there. The price was more affordable, but we also believed that the products we bought from there were healthy and safe. We would say, ‘This is our municipality’s place,’” Mayor Tugay said, and indicated that the potential income from İZMAR will also return to the public as a service. Mayor Tugay stated that he understood better how much people needed this kind of solidarity due to economic difficulties after taking office, and said that they listened to the call of thousands of citizens to “Definitely do this.”
“The Profit Will Again Belong to Our People”
Emphasizing that services are always shaped in line with the demands and needs of the public, President Tugay drew attention to the fact that the economic downturn has reduced the purchasing power of citizens. Stating that there is a period in which producers are not getting the value they deserve, President Tugay stated that the municipality does not have a goal of becoming a marketer, but as an institution belonging to the public, they have the responsibility to be by the side of the citizens. He said that there is no profit purpose in municipal facilities and that the understanding of protecting the institutions owned by the public should be regained.
“Believe Us, Stand By Us”
Addressing the people of Menemen at the end of his speech, Mayor Tugay said, “May your faces never lose their smiles. Believe in us. Believe in us as people who came from among you. We only need you to believe in us and be with us.” Drawing attention to the fact that there may be those who want to prevent them, Mayor Tugay emphasized the importance of the people of Izmir defending freedom, democracy and justice. Stating that local democracy should also be developed together with strong local services, Mayor Tugay said that he believes that Izmir will be an example for Türkiye in this way. Stating that many beautiful works carried out silently are for the benefit of the people, Mayor Tugay said, “I promise you honor; I will continue to work with the understanding of a mayor in Izmir that you feel like a member of your own family. These flags will be passed on to our other friends after us. We will leave them a much better legacy than the one we received.”
New Generation Solidarity Inspired by Tansaş Culture
Inspired by the Tansaş culture that has left its mark on Izmir’s memory, İZMAR stands out as a new generation social solidarity market that aims to deliver quality, healthy and affordable basic needs to the public without any profit motive. İZMAR is not only a shopping point, but also operates with a public service approach. In addition to products such as milk, yogurt and cheese, which are directly produced by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the market shelves also feature flour, pasta, pulses, olive oil, cleaning and personal care products provided by reliable suppliers. İZMAR, where Şașal Su, Badem Su and İzmir Su brands are offered with a pick-up model, also serves as a Halk Ekmek sales point. The İZMAR model, which is aimed to spread to all corners of the city, also plans to reach citizens with mobile market vehicles in neighborhoods without physical branches.
