The Donegal Food Response Network (DFRN) has launched its first ever Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030, committing to reducing food insecurity in the county through collaboration, sustainability and innovation.
DFRN was established by Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) to support community and voluntary organisations tackling food poverty in Donegal.
The DFRN consists of 21 community and voluntary organisations, strategically located throughout the county – 19 foodbanks and 2 social supermarkets/ pantry models. Collectively, they deliver 100,672 food packages each year, supporting 1,387 families and 549 individuals.
The launch of this new strategy sets out what is needed over the coming years, and its implementation will be community-focused, ensuring that individuals, families and local organisations are actively involved in its success.
By 2030, DFRN hopes to establish a Community WholeShare, which is a central hub that would facilitate the delivery of resources and distribution to member organisations weekly.
DLDC CEO Padraic Fingleton says, “The launch of Donegal Food Response Network’s Strategic Plan is a significant milestone. It shines a light on the scale of food poverty in rural parts of the county and how the need exists beyond urban areas. The plan highlights the urgent need for intervention from other agencies. Members of DFRN currently have no access to adequate storage facilities, including refrigerated storage, which is essential to facilitate the continuation of the work they do.”
That sentiment is echoed by DFRN Chairperson Máire Uí Chomhaill: “The number of families and individuals availing of support from the Donegal Food Response Network is staggering. A clear message needs to be delivered to the Government that funding to continue the much-needed work of the network is vital. The number of families in need of support is growing, and the Government needs to recognise that.”
Donegal Food Response Network – ‘No one should ever go hungry’
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. For more information, please visit https://eufunds.ie/
