A supermarket chain has introduced a discount scheme for people on financial assistance to help them weather the fiscal storm caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.Seth Stutzman, president of The MarketPlace group of companies, said there had been “a lot of conversations about how to help people that need it the most”.He added: “The people in need that we see on a pretty consistent basis are folks on financial assistance. When times like this happen, companies need to pull together with their communities.”The 5 per cent discount every day for the next six months will be available at MarketPlace supermarkets and its sister PriceRite stores.The special rate, which starts today, will run to the end of October.The company’s collaboration with the Department of Financial Assistance has included the launch of the FA card payment programme for its clients.The card, which gives direct access to funds as well as tracks cash available for groceries, must be presented with identification at the store checkout to get the discount.The discount is estimated to save recipients of financial assistance a total of more than $100,000.Mr Stutzman said the financial assistance department was “extremely excited when we let them know”.He added: “The word ‘awesome’ was used.”Mr Stutzman said the company’s management “hears every comment out there about how expensive groceries are”.He added: “We’ve also heard the Government say multiple times that everybody is going to have to give more.”He also praised the “unselfishness” of store staff, who have continued to work throughout the pandemic.Mr Stutzman said: “I’ve been 35 years in this business and I’ve never seen anything like it.”Kim Wilson, the health minister, said last night: “I want to commend The MarketPlace for being a supportive corporate citizen during an extremely difficult time and for extending this discount to those who need it most.“On behalf of my team at financial assistance, I want to thank The MarketPlace for doing their part to help ease the financial burden on those who were already struggling to put food on the table and for whom this pandemic has only worsened their situation.”