16|Retail News|April 2020|www.retailnews.ie
Covid-19 Pandemic the spread of Covid-19. In West Cork, Clonakilty Distillery is creating sanitisers with an alcohol content of 63% ABV, with the first batch of 5,000 bottles offered for free to local charities, while the rest will be available at cost. In Leitrim, The Shed Distillery has commenced the distribution of emergency alcohol and surface cleaner across the region, including supplying alcohol to Ovelle Pharmaceuticals, who will create hand sanitiser gel. A number of other distilleries and drinks producers across the country are also getting geared up to manufacture hand sanitiser gel, once they have complied with the necessary regulations and have sourced the other components. Separately, Guinness Ireland has pledged €1.5 million to support Irish bar staff and communities affected by Covid-19. Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland, which represents drinks producers and suppliers around the country said: “At such an uncertain and challenging time, it’s encouraging to see the drinks industry doing what it can in the effort to tackle Covid-19. This fight will require Government, the health and public sector, industry and society all working together on a coordinated response. As an industry, we are committed to doing what we can to help out.” The FoodCloud challenge However, there are still challenges to be met. FoodCloud, the social enterprise that redistributes surplus food to communities in need, has launched an emergency food and funding
appeal to aid their charity partners in distributing food parcels. The demand for FoodCloud’s services has increased in recent weeks with the spread of Covid-19. Pressure has been put on FoodCloud’s resources, as 40% of their community partners are closing due to reduced availability of volunteers. The social enterprise has also seen a 50% decrease in surplus food donations from
support this appeal. “We are preparing to meet the additional demand for food parcels by establishing new strategic partnerships with community organisations that will support the ever-changing needs of individual communities across Ireland. Through these partnerships, we are accelerating our support of families whose children normally get free school
The entire world is coming to terms with a new reality as Covid-19 wreaks havoc. supermarkets as a result of stockpiling. The immediate response to the crisis was thanks to an existing partnership with AIB. As well as AIB, Aldi, ChangeX supported by Web Summit, and Kelloggs have all pledged their support to the appeal. Many other food partners have committed to additional regular food donations over the coming weeks to
Applegreen provides free fuel to Blood Bike Leinster during Covid-19 crisis.
meals, the elderly with underlying health conditions and those who need to self-isolate,” said Iseult Ward, CEO of FoodCloud. Ward foresaw what she termed “an unprecedented shift in the need for food distribution across communities, unlike anything we have experienced before. I acknowledge the enormous effort
Applegreen to provide free fuel to Blood Bike Leinster APPLEGREEN plc is supporting Blood Bike Leinster by providing free fuel to their volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Blood Bike Leinster operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year delivering a confidential specialist medical logistical service to the HSE hospital groups, medical centres and hospices primarily in the Leinster region. The Blood Bikes are now handling essential logistics in the fight against Covid-19 by providing transport for tests kits between test centres and the laboratories. “At Applegreen we are delighted to support Blood Bike Leinster during these unprecedented times,” said Dáire Nolan, Managing Director for Ireland. “We are grateful to all healthcare workers, essential service providers, staff and suppliers at this difficult time. We are proud to continue fuelling and supporting Ireland’s essential services through this pandemic.”