Galloway Cheddar has held an event at Summerhill Community Centre in Dumfries today the 22nd May as part of its month-long “Galloway Gathering project” initiative to support those facing loneliness and food poverty in Scotland.
The Scottish brand teamed up with Summerhill Community Centre to host the lunchtime community kitchen and evening meal which saw more than 300 families and people of all ages from the local community, gather together for a hot cheese-based meal and fun activities including dancing and games.
The event was part of a larger, month-long project that sees the Scottish cheddar brand, partner with food distribution charity, FareShare Scotland’s network of community kitchens and cafes to residents, to provide the equivalent of 10,000 hot meals at community gatherings across Scotland. It aims to tackle food poverty and loneliness in Scottish communities during the month of May by encouraging them to gather together for support and a hot meal.
Annemarie Coulter, youth and volunteer community development co-ordinator from Summerhill Community Centre said: “It is so wonderful to have this support from Galloway Cheddar once more. We were part of the initial pilot last year and the feedback we got from that was so positive so it is great to see them rolling it out across Scotland so even more families in need can benefit from events like this.
“We have more than 400 people of all ages come along to the centre each week and social and informal community venues such as ours are priceless places for meeting others, having food and a chat and being introduced to new opportunities. They help to combat loneliness and are essential in making ends meet for some people which is really important in today’s world where the cost of living and especially the cost of weekly food shopping is really impacting upon families.”
The centre is one of 20 organisations taking part in the project in Central, South East, Glasgow and West of Scotland during the month. Galloway Cheddar has provided 1.2 tonnes of its red cheddar for use in the meals as well as donating £19,500 to FareShare Scotland and supplying packs to every organisation taking part which include materials to decorate the venues such as posters and t-shirts to ensure a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Heloise Le Norcy-Trott Group category and Marketing Director at Lactalis UK and Ireland added: “It is wonderful to hear how the “Galloway Gathering project” is bringing our company’s value of togetherness, to support those who need it most in Glasgow.
“Galloway Cheddar has been at the heart of Scottish family gatherings since it was founded in 1959 and partnering with FareShare allows us to really make a difference at grassroots level by encouraging people to gather together and make new friends around a delicious and comforting hot meal.”
Jon Molyneux from FareShare said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the support from Galloway Cheddar. The increase in the cost of living, including food and soaring energy bills, has had a disproportionate impact on people already struggling to make ends meet. Providing food to make meals, as well as a generous donation to cover operational costs, will help us support more people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis in Scotland.”
Galloway was formed in 1959 and is the no.1 Scottish Cheddar brand. The company works with different farms located within 75 miles of its Stranraer factory in Dumfries and Galloway to produce the cheese which is made using 100% Scottish milk.
It also holds the Red Tractor endorsement which means its cheddar is produced to high standards and is assured at every step of the production process from farm to fork.
For more information about the Galloway Gathering Project please visit https://www.gallowaycheddar.co.uk/cms/
