NIFDA Member Mash Direct has donated the equivalent of 265,000 portions of prepared vegetables over the past year to help tackle the local food poverty crisis.
In response to rising food poverty, Mash Direct has donated the equivalent of 265,000 portions of prepared vegetables over the past year to help tackle the crisis across Northern Ireland, providing vital support to foodbanks, charities, community organisations and families during a period of unprecedented demand.
Recent research from the Trussell Trust ¹ reveals that 1 in 5 households (21%) of households across Northern Ireland- around 520,000 people have experienced food insecurity since 2024. This represents an increase of 5% compared with the same period in 2022, when the figure stood at 16%.
This can mean running out of food, being unable to afford more food, skipping meals, reducing portion sizes, or going hungry due to financial pressures. These figures also underline that foodbank usage alone does not reflect the full scale of need, as many individuals and families struggle without accessing formal support.
The Food Foundation² highlights a growing crisis for families, many of whom are forced to cut back on healthy foods like fruit and vegetables just to cover basic necessities. Vulnerable groups, including households with children, single-parent families and those living with a disability continue to be disproportionately affected. Meanwhile, gaps in free school meals provision mean that not all children in need are getting support.
Throughout the past year, Mash Direct’s donations have helped ensure that vulnerable households have access to nutritious, wholesome, high-quality vegetables, providing vital support for those facing hardship. Much of this assistance has been delivered in partnership with FareShare NI, enabling the company to maximise the reach and impact of its contributions and ensure food gets to the people who need it most.
“We’ve seen demand for food support continue to rise as households struggle with the cost of living,” said Nicola Mc Crudden, CEO, Homeless Connect, FareShare NI. “Partnerships with companies like Mash Direct help us deliver nutritious food and vegetables to community groups and charities working on the front line. Every donation makes a real difference to families facing impossible choices.”
In 2025, Mash Direct donated the equivalent of 30,600 portions of vegetables to FareShare NI, supporting 87 local charities and providing vital assistance to those who need it most. Alongside this partnership, Mash Direct also donated directly to other local foodbanks such as The Warehouse Newtownards, Homeplus NI, The Welcome Organisation and East Belfast Mission, helping to strengthen food support services throughout the year.
These combined efforts ensured families had access to nutritious vegetables when they needed them most. By consistently enhancing local food parcels, Mash Direct is delivering meaningful, long-term support to communities facing food insecurity.
Jack Hamilton, CEO of Mash Direct, said:
“As a local food producer in Northern Ireland, we are committed to supporting our local communities and households facing insecurity. We recognise that food poverty is rising and that demand in increasingly exceeding supply and feel a strong responsibility to play our part where we can. We are delighted to partner with FareShare NI, local foodbanks and charities to help provide wholesome, nutritious meals to those in need. Supporting these organisations is something we care deeply about. We are proud to helping families through difficult times.”
Mash Direct remains committed to combating food poverty and strengthening community resilience. The company will continue to work closely with partner charities and community groups to expand its support in the years to come.
Resources
- Trussell Trust, Hunger in Northern Ireland Report, Sept 2025. https://cms.trussell.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-09/hunger_in_northern_ireland_220925.pdf
- Food Foundation, Insecurity Tracker, February 2025. Latest food insecurity tracker shows seven million adults going hungry | Food Foundation
