Fresh Today delivers lunch to kids’ doors
AN Enniscorthy-based company has been ensuring that lunches are delivered to the homes of students across the county whose schools qualify for the state’s School Meals Programme.
Over 10,000 lunches are being provided daily by Fresh Today and, since the Covid-19 pandemic caused school closures across the county, the company has joined with the Department of Education and the Department of Social Protection to ensure that the school lunch programme continues.
The packages, which are delivered to the doors of students’ homes contain non-perishable household and food essentials.
Speaking about the new way of delivering the lunches the business’s Managing Director, Brian McGee, said: ‘The service has been a great success and the feedback has been very positive.’
Mr McGee said the schools have been appreciative of the service and he acknowledged the school principals and their administration staff for all their hard work in coordinating distribution with his own staff.
In addition to County Wexford, the Enniscorthy production facility, on the Old Dublin Road, also delivers to students from qualifying schools in counties Waterford, Carlow, Wicklow and Kilkenny.
The delivery of food parcels to school children comes at a critical time and by continuing the School Meals Scheme, families are benefiting from much needed provisions.
‘Children look forward to the deliveries and got the added surprise of some Easter treats being among the parcels recently,’ said Mr McGee.
Because of the continuation of the service it means the company is also continuing to be a much-needed local employer during a time of unprecedented unemployment. The business also uses local suppliers wherever possible.
There are 45 employed at Fresh Today and the business has significant expansion plans for the autumn, when the new School Hot Meals programme initiative is set to be rolled out.
Fresh Today anticipates that programme and the expansion of its enterprise in Enniscorthy will result in the creation of a further 20 jobs.
Mr McGee expressed gratitude to all the local business partners in Wexford and the south east that have helped ensure the ongoing provision of the lunch programme, including local food suppliers, vehicle dealerships and fleet maintenance companies, who ensure the vans stay running and operational during this critical time.
‘Fresh Today would also like to acknowledge and thank Wexford Local Development for all of their help and support throughout their journey,’ said
Mr McGee.
The company has worked very close with Enterprise Officer Helena Dempsey since its inception in 2010.
‘The WLD [Wexford Local Development] guidance has been invaluable and Brian Kehoe and his team have played a crucial role in the success of Fresh Today,’ said Mr McGee.
‘The mutual relationship between Fresh Today and WLD has very positively impacted both local employment and the local economy as a whole,’ said Mr McGee. ‘I would recommend any business seeking development supports to contact the Enterprise Officer covering their area.’