Write a comment
Slieve Gullion based Clanrye Group has been named one of ten community organisations in the north to receive support as part of Safefood’s £1.26 million Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025–2028.
Clanrye Group’s work includes cooking workshops, nutrition and budgeting sessions, and food safety training. The group also supports the development of a Community Recipe Booklet, gathering low-cost, healthy recipes from participants and local chefs for free distribution via schools, libraries, food banks and their social supermarket.
The investment comes as part of the Safefood Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025–2028, which aims to positively influence the eating habits and overall health of people living in low-income communities through practical, locally delivered support.
Welcoming the launch, Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt MLA said: “Our food environment has changed dramatically in recent years and we are tempted to eat more unhealthy foods at every turn.
“This has impacted on the health of our population across Northern Ireland and there is a real need to increase access to healthier food and empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices.
“I look forward to working with Safefood and their Community Food Initiatives to ensure that healthy eating is within the reach of everyone in every community.”
Dr Gary A. Kearney, Chief Executive, Safefood said: “In addition to the 28 projects, which will be funded for 4 years announced today, we are introducing a new cross border partnership that will fund a further 4 cross border projects. We will also be funding 25 additional one-off community projects each year under the scheme.
“This year marks 15 years since we first started working among communities and more than 65,000 people have taken part since then. By supporting people in low-income communities, these projects have the potential to create long-lasting changes in how people shop, plan and cook food. Ultimately, this work is about improving the access to, and availability of, healthy and safe food in our communities.”
The initiative will support each group to establish, manage, and sustain a local food initiative that promotes lasting behaviour change and strengthens community resilience around healthier eating.
For more information on The Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Programme 2025–2028 visit: www.safefood.net
