Business

McDonald’s to strengthen ties with Irish food charity

Company will provide equivalent of 150,000 meals in agreement with FoodCloud

In Galway at the launch of McDonald’s and FoodCloud’s new partnership were, from left, Alistair Reid, director of operations and franchising, McDonald’s Ireland; Aaron Byrne, McDonald’s Ireland franchisee; Alan Gannon, FoodCloud warehouse manager; and Kay Cunningham and Teresa Coughlan of Ballinasloe Social Services. Photograph: Andrew Downes/Xposure

Fri Aug 27 2021 - 04:01

McDonald’s Ireland will provide €50,000 and continue to donate surplus food to the non-profit organisation FoodCloud as part of a new partnership to be announced today.

The funding will be used to provide the equivalent of 150,000 meals to a network of more than 700 charities and community groups across the country.

FoodCloud’s hubs in Cork, Dublin and Galway distributed 77 per cent more food in 2020 than in 2019 along with an additional increase in demand for logistical support. The increase was due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country.

Since their first donation in March 2020, McDonald’s has provided 31 tonnes of food that FoodCloud has redistributed to more than 153 charities and community groups.

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Commenting on the partnership, Alistair Reid, director of operations and franchising at McDonald’s Ireland, said: “At the outset of the pandemic, McDonald’s donated surplus stock to FoodCloud and we were amazed by the great work that FoodCloud does in communities across Ireland, alleviating food insecurity for thousands of people.

“As an organisation, FoodCloud is leading the way in this country in ensuring that no good food goes to waste. McDonald’s is proud to support FoodCloud in its effort to tackle the issue of food waste.”

‘Strong relationship’

Aoibheann O’Brien, FoodCloud co-founder and partnerships director said: “There has been a strong existing relationship in place between McDonald’s and FoodCloud. Thanks to McDonald’s continued support, we are in a position to redistribute 150,000 meals to our charity partners. This will have a hugely positive impact on charities, many who work with the most vulnerable in society.”

McDonald’s Ireland has 95 restaurants here, 97 per cent of which are owned and operated by 20 franchisees. Its workforce totals more than 6,000. FoodCloud was established in 2013 by Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien and is a social enterprise working to redistribute surplus food from the food industry to a network of charity and community organisations.

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