Duhallow Community Food Services Orlaith Tomkins has over 12 year’s service as manager of DCFS. She is responsible for managing the daily operations throughout the business. The services offered by DCFS have expanded greatly throughout the years. She holds a degree from GMIT in Hotel & Catering Management and attained the IMCV Professional Manager and Management of Food Hygiene awards. Prior to working for DCFS Orlaith spent many years working in the hotel industry both in Ireland and abroad.
Drivers lined up for deliveries to all routes across the region.
Rural Meals Service In 2019 DCFS produced and delivered over 37,000 meals, to senior citizens and those not in a position to cook for themselves throughout the Duhallow Area and beyond . Our belief and evidence has shown that the rural meals service is a critical component in improving older people’s nutritional status, health and quality of life. It also provides a continuum of care services that enables older people to remain living in the community or to return to their own homes after hospitalisation. The service is a vital source of social contact and connectivity for many older people who are vulnerable to social exclusion and social isolation. National studies have shown that a meals delivery service has both preventative and restorative effects on the health status and wellbeing of older people. Clients can avail of home delivery Monday to Friday, collect or dine in our restaurant from 12.30pm until 2.00pm with plenty options available. A phone call to 029 76375, and a person will be added to the delivery schedule, special diets are also catered. The mealson-wheels service caters for the nutritional requirements of older people who may be considered among the most vulnerable of the community-dwelling population. It is critical, John Daly, who received his 15 therefore, that the service provided is of the year long service award this year highest quality. Since government measures were introduced to curb the spread of Covid 19 in March 2020 (Cocooning of the over 70’s) the demand for meals has increased dramatically. DCFS is well positioned to deal with the additional demand since its relocation to a purpose built facility on the grounds of the James O Keeffe Inst. in 2014. Additional staff resources have also been made available through the Warmer Homes scheme as additional delivery routes were added to cope with the volume of deliveries. Now more than ever the role of the meals on wheels service is extremely important in society and in ensuring our elderly are well looked after. This has been recognised by the HSE with an additional €10,000 grant and a grant of €1,000 from both Cork and Kerry County Councils towards the meals service. ‘Since opening its door in 1994 DCFS has engaged in commercial activity to offset Ruth O’Sullivan who received a 15 year long service award this year.
the cost associated with production and distribution of the meals. While DCFS receives staffing funding from CSP and a smaller grant from the HSE there is still a large shortfall to make up. Finances have come increasingly difficult as in line with Government measures all commercial activity has ceased since March 2020 this puts the service under additional financial pressure. However, we are grateful to the HSE and Pobal for CSP funding and for the Stability fund which will help cover this loss. Restaurant/Deli/Bakery/Outside Catering Our restaurant/ Deli on site is open Monday to Saturday serving a large selection of food to eat in or takeaway, freshly baked scones, bread, cakes and buns available every day. Home cooked meats and salads are also a speciality. Larger quantities can be pre ordered and ready for collection. Full traditional afternoon tea as a speciality served from 2.30pm, booking essential. Our senior menu is available for €8.00 for a dinner and dessert each week day from 12.30pm -2.00pm. It is a lovely place to enjoy a meal in the company of friends and represents excellent value. Outside catering is very important and ever popular. Catering for Birthdays, Confirmations, Communions, Funerals or any other occasion. A full brochure is available detailing savoury and sweet options. All food is prepared in house and made from scratch. Catering for Children and Students DCFS caters for the students, staff and young children in Mayor Ian Doyle being presented with a hamper of homemade various settings in the local area; Boherbue goods and treats when Comprehensive School and Colaiste Treasa in hebaked paid a visit to DCFS to see the Kanturk the Newmarket afterschool service and great work their meals on wheels does especially on how they Banteer Childcare facility. DCFS promotes healthy expanded their meals on wheels eating to improve concentration, performance service during Covid 19. Pictured with Eileen Linehan, and eating habits from very young children to Assistant Manager IRD. leaving cert students, staff and teachers. All food supplied is prepared daily in our premises in Newmarket using with only the freshest ingredients no preservatives or colours. Eileen O Riordan & Eileen Moynihan both RSS and Katrina Cullinane CE who work together in DCFS.
Governance and staffing The company is managed by a board of 18 voluntary directors who give so generously of their time and expertise. The board meet once a month to oversee operations of the company. We are also fortunate to have a long serving dedicated staff. Orlaith together with a team of supervisors (Administration; Olive Casey, Transport and Distribution; Neily O’Flynn, Kitchen; Marcio Defreitas, School Catering; Mary O Connell, and Restaurant; Trish Twomey) are committed to the philosophy and beliefs of DCFS to provide a quality product and service to all our customers and to ensure this is never compromised. In December 2019 staff were recognised for their contribution to the company with long time service awards, with some staff with the company for over 18 years. The team must also be commended for their flexible attitude in changing working patterns to ensure the continuation of the meals service through the Covid 19 pandemic.
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