Safefood doubles investment to €1.5m for Community Food Initiatives across Ireland.
Safefood has begun a significant expansion of its Community Food Initiatives Programme, doubling both funding and scale with a €1.5m investment to support 28 community organisations across the island of Ireland over the next four years.
The 2025-2028 programme aims to positively influence eating habits in low-income communities by helping local organisations implement projects that improve access to healthy, safe food options.
“Unhealthy food choices are increasingly becoming the norm, impacting the health of our population”
This marks the 15th anniversary of Safefood’s community-based initiatives, which have reached over 65,000 people since inception.
Expanded scope and reach
“We’re excited to launch our latest round of Safefood Community Food Initiatives,” said Dr Gary Kearney, chief executive of Safefood.
“They have a proven track record of effectiveness and success, and we want to extend their impact by 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 core projects announced today, Safefood is introducing a new cross-border partnership that will fund four additional cross-border initiatives. The organization will also support 25 one-off community projects each year under the scheme.
Government support
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, welcomed the initiative: “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. 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.”
Local impact
Among the recipients is Galway City Partnership, which focuses on promoting social inclusion and reducing inequality in disadvantaged communities.
Imelda Gormally, Community Development & Social Inclusion Coordinator for the organisation, explained their approach: “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.”
Gormally added that over the next four years, they plan to expand their outreach and build partnerships “ensuring that everyone in Galway has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.”
According to Dr Kearney, these initiatives have the potential to create lasting change.
“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.”
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