A total of 256 people in Ibiza have benefited from food cards distributed through the Balearic Government's Basic Material Assistance Programme, supporting vulnerable families with essential food and household purchases.

Across the Balearic Islands, 8,376 people from 2,503 family units have received support through the programme. Ibiza accounts for 256 beneficiaries from 85 families.

85 Ibiza Families Receive Support

The Ibiza beneficiaries represent 85 family units.

Mallorca accounts for 7,228 beneficiaries from 2,227 families, while Menorca has 892 beneficiaries from 191 families.

The programme is intended to provide basic material assistance to people and families experiencing vulnerability.

Cards Cover Essential Purchases

The cards can be used to buy food, hygiene products and other items included within the programme's definition of basic material assistance.

In the Balearic Islands, participating supermarket chains are Alcampo, Carrefour and Eroski. Beneficiaries can choose which of the participating chains they use.

Programme Focuses on Families With Children

One of the conditions for receiving assistance through this particular programme is that the beneficiaries are families with dependent children.

This means the food-card scheme is not the only form of food assistance available in the islands. People who do not have children in their care may be eligible for other food-support initiatives funded separately by the regional government.

Cruz Roja Manages the Programme

The Balearic Government awarded Cruz Roja Española responsibility for managing the programme for the 2025-2028 period.

Its role includes providing and distributing the cards to eligible beneficiaries and carrying out accompanying support measures.

Support Goes Beyond Food Cards

Beneficiaries also receive social-support measures from Cruz Roja.

An initial interview takes place when the card is delivered, followed by a later follow-up. The programme can include information about available resources, referrals to other services, psychological and emotional support, training and assistance related to social and employment integration.

European Funding

The programme is financed through the European Social Fund Plus, known as FSE+.

A total of €12,783,794 has been allocated to the Basic Material Assistance Programme for the 2025-2028 period.

The figure represents the overall programme allocation and not an amount specifically assigned to Ibiza.

Additional Food Assistance in the Balearics

The regional government also funds separate food-security programmes for people who cannot access the card scheme because they do not have dependent children.

Since December 2023, the Conselleria says it has allocated close to €6 million through different calls supporting food distribution, food banks and social dining programmes.

Additional funding published in 2026 includes €500,000 connected with assistance for vulnerable people affected by the conflict in the Middle East and €1.34 million from 0.7% income-tax revenue.

Thousands Supported Across the Islands

The distribution of food cards forms part of a wider regional programme covering Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

Of the 8,376 people benefiting, 7,228 are in Mallorca, 892 in Menorca and 256 in Ibiza.

The figures demonstrate that the programme is operating across all three islands while being delivered through a single FSE+-funded framework.

Practical Help for Everyday Expenses

Unlike traditional food parcels, the cards give eligible families the ability to choose qualifying products themselves at participating supermarkets.

This provides flexibility for households when purchasing everyday essentials while the accompanying social-support measures are intended to connect families with other services where necessary.

Ibiza's Share of the Programme

The 256 beneficiaries in Ibiza represent approximately 3% of the programme's total beneficiaries across the Balearic Islands.

Those beneficiaries correspond to 85 families, giving an average of roughly three beneficiaries per participating family unit, although the actual number of people supported varies from household to household.

Programme Runs Through 2028

The current food-card programme covers the period from 2025 through 2028.

Cruz Roja's management role includes both the distribution of assistance and the accompanying support measures designed to promote social inclusion.

The programme therefore combines immediate help with essential purchases and longer-term support for participating families.

Food Support in Ibiza

For the 85 families benefiting in Ibiza, the cards provide a way to purchase eligible food, hygiene products and other basic items directly from participating supermarkets.

The programme is part of the wider social-support system funded through the European Social Fund Plus and administered by the Balearic Government with Cruz Roja responsible for delivery.

As of September 2026, 256 people in Ibiza are among the 8,376 beneficiaries receiving this form of basic material assistance across the Balearic Islands.