Local producers urged to support hamper scheme

With a successful Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink coming to an end shortly, Rural Support and Simple Power are encouraging local producers to finish the year on a high and come together to provide hard-hit families in the community with a lift and make a difference this Christmas.

Local food and drink producers and suppliers are being called upon to kindly donate suitable items for the hampers. With this support, the team hope to be able to exceed last year’s total of approximately 100 hampers and make 2016 a record-breaking year.

Rural Support’s Chief Executive, Jude McCann, said: “This year has been particularly tough for Northern Ireland’s rural and farming community with the agricultural downturn having an impact on commodity prices. We expect even more families to be affected by economic issues around this time of year and our Christmas Hamper Scheme aims to take the pressure off and make life easier for these families.

“Last year, we were delighted with the response to the initiative, which saw around 100 hampers delivered to families in need and this would not have been possible without the generous support from our local agri-producers.

“With even more families in crisis after a difficult year, we are calling on the many successful and vibrant local food and drink producers and suppliers to get in touch with us and make a contribution. We aim to build on the hamper scheme’s success to date and deliver over 120 hampers to families in need this Christmas. We would appeal to local food and drink businesses to help support us in this vital scheme by kindly donating to the appeal, you can make a huge difference to a rural family in need this Christmas.”

To get involved in the Rural Support ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’, in partnership with Simple Power, call 028 8676 0040 or email: [email protected].