Lynas lorry 2

Source: Lynas Foodservice

Lynas will distribute essential food parcels to 50 vulnerable families across Northern Ireland until the end of March

Northern Irish wholesaler Lynas Foodservice has secured a £1.25m government contract to provide food boxes to low-income and shielding families.

Lynas will distribute essential supplies on a weekly basis to 50 families that have been identified as vulnerable or on low incomes across Northern Ireland.

The contract will run for two months until the end of March.

The wholesaler said it would draw on its experience from April 2020, when it worked with the Department for Communities to deliver 12,000 food boxes each week for those shielding from the virus.

“We’re a third-generation family business that is rooted to the local community,” said Lynas MD Andrew Lynas. “We’re delighted that we can play our part in delivering much-needed help and support to those who need it at a time when it’s needed most. Delivering food boxes last year really made a difference to those who received them and we’re all thrilled that we can play such a key role in supporting the local community once more.”

FWD CEO James Bielby added: “It’s great to see wholesalers like Lynas Foodservice helping the most vulnerable in their communities, especially at a time when so many of their regular customers are closed, and they are facing severe financial pressure themselves. Food wholesalers have had a raw deal from the UK government in the last year, and initiatives like this demonstrate just how valuable they are to communities, small food and drink businesses, and the economy.”

Lynas has continued trading throughout the pandemic, delivering to schools, care homes, hospitals as well as operating eight food outlets.