SHENZHEN officially launched its Central Kitchen program Thursday Oct. 6th by dispatching 300 vans to sell cheap vegetables and other fresh farm produce at 900 residential communities.

Prices of the vegetables and farm produce from Pinghu Haijixing International Agricultural Produce Logistics Park, which was officially put into use Thursday, will be 20 to 30 percent lower than those at supermarkets and community stores.

The move is to help residents deal with sharp increases in food prices and the city government will give subsidies to the operators of the vans.

The vans will be stationed at fixed selling spots in the communities during service hours so that residents can get fresh and cheap farm produce without having to travel too far.

Mayor Xu Qin said at the launch ceremony that the city government has promulgated 14 measures this year to stabilize prices. The measures include a 300-million yuan (US$45 million) subsidy to support low-price shops and vegetable sheds.

The amount of vans will be increased to 900 by the end of October. In addition, the city will open 50 low-price shops selling farm produce by the end of the year 2011.

The service also marked the opening of Pinghu Haijixing International Agricultural Produce Logistics Park, the biggest agricultural logistics center in South China supplying food for Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Buji Farm Produce Market has been relocated to the logistics park. Its annual trade volume is expected to reach 7 million tons, creating a turnover of about 30 billion yuan, doubling the current figure.

Built in 1989, Buji Farm Produce Market had more than 3,000 wholesalers and sold products from around the world.

A modern shopping center will be built on the site after the market is relocated.

(Han Ximin)