LOHNE, GERMANY (AFP) – In the western German village of Lohne, where the only grocery store closed its doors earlier this year, residents now do their food shopping on board a red-and-green supermarket bus that rolls into the main square once a week.
For 90 minutes, locals get a chance to buy the essentials without having to get into a car to drive to the nearest store.
The supermarket-on-wheels is a pilot project between Germany’s third-largest food retailer, REWE, and the Deutsche Bahn rail and transport company.
The bus began plying its route in March, catering to rural villages in the state of Hesse where brick-and-mortar stores have become an increasingly rare sight, turning some areas into so-called food deserts.
For the roughly 600 inhabitants of Lohne, where the balconies are dotted with colourful geraniums, the arrival of the REWE shopping bus is a welcome sight after the village’s only mini-mart closed for good in the spring.
“I can get the basics here,” said 90-year-old Inge Nehreng, who rode her electric trike for three kilometres (km) to join the weekly bus rendezvous.
“If I need something special, I go to a department store,” she added.
Parked on the village square, the 18-metre long bendy bus carries over 950 everyday products.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are on display outside the bus, while inside the choice ranges from food items to newspapers and soap.
“The only things missing are nappies and wet wipes,” said Yasmine Schneider, 34, who was shopping with her toddler Felix.
The mobile supermarket has also become a popular meeting place, a chance for the often elderly residents to catch up while getting their weekly groceries.
“After shopping, we sit on a bench and talk a bit,” said 85-year-old Ursula Sauer, who lives alone.
From Monday to Saturday, the supermarket bus covers a 600km route, stopping at 23 villages.
The prices on board “are the same” as in the REWE supermarkets, said Joern Berszinski, who manages the supermarket bus.
Deutsche Bahn provides the driver for the project, while the onboard cashier is employed by REWE.
Despite its appeal, it remains to be seen how profitable the bus service will be.
