Donegal Food Response Network supporting over 1,000 families

The Donegal Food Response Network (DFRN) deliver 100,672 food packages each year, supporting 1,387 families and 549 individuals.  

The DFRN consists of 21 community and voluntary organisations, strategically located throughout the county – 19 foodbanks and 2 social supermarkets/ pantry models.

Established by Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC), DFRN was established to support community and voluntary organisations tackling food poverty in Donegal.   

“The number of families and individuals availing of support from the Donegal Food Response Network is staggering,” DFRN Chairperson Máire Uí Chomhaill. “A clear message needs to be delivered to the Government that funding to continue the much-needed work of the network is vital. 

“The number of families in need of support is growing, and the Government needs to recognise that.”  

The DFRN has launched its first-ever Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030, committing to reducing food insecurity in the county through collaboration, sustainability and innovation.  

The launch of this new strategy sets out what is needed over the coming years, and its implementation will be community-focused, ensuring that individuals, families, and local organisations are actively involved in its success.  

By 2030, DFRN hopes to establish a Community WholeShare, which is a central hub that would facilitate the delivery of resources and distribution to member organisations weekly.  

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“The launch of Donegal Food Response Network’s Strategic Plan is a significant milestone,” DLDC CEO Padraic Fingleton says. “It shines a light on the scale of food poverty in rural parts of the county and how the need exists beyond urban areas. 

“The plan highlights the urgent need for intervention from other agencies. Members of DFRN currently have no access to adequate storage facilities, including refrigerated storage, which is essential to facilitate the continuation of the work they do.”  

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027.