Fresh, surplus vegetables from Irish farms to reach local charities and community organisations across the Ballyhoura region.
The Ballyhoura Growers’ Project is set to relaunch on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, bringing a renewed focus on tackling food waste and food insecurity in communities across East Limerick and North Cork.
This impactful initiative is a collaboration between FoodCloud and Ballyhoura Development CLG, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and driven by the commitment of vegetable growers from across Ireland. By connecting surplus fresh produce directly from Irish farms to community organisations and charities, the project ensures that nutritious vegetables make it from field to table.
Since its beginning, the project has directly improved food access for vulnerable groups in East Limerick and North Cork, with weekly distribution managed by Ballyhoura Development CLG and supported by the Ballyhoura Development Rural Social Scheme.
“We are proud to see how this project is growing,” said John Scanlan, Project Coordinator at Ballyhoura Development CLG. “We’ve seen even greater results in 2025 so far, and with the new harvest season, we’re ready to support more organisations and have a greater impact.”
The project provides fresh, locally grown root vegetables free of charge to charitable organisations that serve food as part of their community services. Its dual goals are to reduce food waste and lower food costs for service providers, while ensuring healthy, sustainable food reaches those most in need.
Call for Participation
Following its September 3rd relaunch, the Ballyhoura Growers’ Project is inviting more organisations to join. Eligible organisations must:
- Have charitable status
- Use or distribute fresh vegetables as part of their services
- Operate from a food-grade facility or distribution hub
The project, which paused temporarily during the summer months, resumes with the new season’s harvest in September.
Get Involved
If your organisation, or one in your area, would benefit from participating, please contact John Scanlan: jscanlan@ballyhoura.org.
For more details and to register: https://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com/ballyhoura-growers-project
Let’s work together to reduce food waste, support Irish growers, and strengthen our communities.
