Safefood announces recipients for €1.5m in funding from local food initiative

/ 28th May 2025 /

Safefood has announced the recipients of €1.5m in funding from its Safefood Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025-28.

The four-year initiative is intended to positively influence the eating habits of people in low-income communities across the island of Ireland and will support 28 community organisations in setting up and implementing their work.

“Unhealthy food choices are increasingly becoming the norm, impacting the health of our population. I am encouraged by the focus of Safefood’s Community Food Initiatives, which are more than just a source of learning about food; they build practical skills and knowledge at the grassroots level," said Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill.

"I welcome that these local projects foster connections within communities, aiming to create a future where healthy eating is realistic, achievable, and accessible to all.”

Dr Gary A. Kearney, CEO of Safefood, said the initiatives have "a proven track record of effectiveness and success," and that Safeood is "doubling the scale and increasing the scope of our work to include not only good nutritional and healthy eating help but also including ‘tips and trips’ around food safety for members of the public."

"In addition to the 28 projects, which will be funded for four years announced today, we are introducing a new cross border partnership that will fund a further four cross border projects. We will also be funding 25 additional one-off community projects each year under the scheme," he continued.

"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.”

One of the local initiatives receiving funding is Galway City Partnership, which aims to promote social inclusion and reduce inequality by supporting the most disadvantaged individuals and communities in the city.

Imelda Gormally, community development & social inclusion coordinator with Galway City Partnership, said: “We work closely with people facing poverty, social exclusion, and unemployment through community development, education, and health initiatives.

"By empowering individuals and fostering local leadership, we help build stronger, healthier communities. Our collaboration with Safefood reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes through better nutrition and awareness.

"Over the next four years, we aim to build on this collaboration and deepen our impact by expanding outreach, building partnerships, and ensuring that everyone in Galway has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.”