STAFF and volunteer trainees at Limerick’s Hospitality Education and Training Centre are stepping up to ‘Feed the Frontline’  in the weeks ahead, as part of the centre’s efforts to support healthcare workers in the fight against Coronavirus.

The centre, managed by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, launched a new service on Thursday, which will see the production of fresh meals 7 days a week from its production kitchen for healthcare staff, including those on the frontline.

These meals will be delivered daily by the centre to multiple HSE locations across the Mid West. The initiative is part of the ETB’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency as it continues to provide services in the region.

Manager, Bernadette Enright, is co-ordinating the centre’s response operation. She says: “Right from when this crisis began, staff members here were so eager to be able to provide their services to the community. All of them come from hospitality industry SMEs, so they have the specific skills for catering services within healthcare settings like hospitals, residential care and nursing homes.”

She continued: “Operationally we are running a number of shifts from 7am to close at night, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, because healthcare workers need to be fed and we see this continuing for several weeks to come.

“There are 3 teams involved over a 9-day cycle, taking different roster times over 3 days, with a limit of 3 people on a shift to ensure distancing protocols are maintained. So over the 3 days it’s quite intense work with long hours for the those involved.”

The operation has also seen significant support from businesses in the region and beyond. Bernadette says: “The support we have gotten has been fantastic.

“Irema Ireland in Kilmallock supplied the face masks for all our food production and delivery staff. Delivery containers were supplied by Noel O’Connor of Pat O’Connor Butchers, along with plastic crates from Richardson’s Foods and wooden trays from Pat The Baker.

“Paul Cross Sharpening Services, based in Rathangan, County Kildare, provided uniforms and protective clothing for deliveries. And, Pallas Foods even provided us with Easter eggs for all the food deliveries going out over the Easter weekend!”

Responding to the launch of the new initiative, Bedelia Collins, COVID-19 Co-ordinator of Resources and Service Offers, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, says the service is very welcome: “Bernadette and her team have been so professional and so easy to work with, which is just what’s needed at the moment.

“The flexibility that’s been offered with the service is great, especially with the transporting of meals to the different locations in the region. Staff are really touched and very grateful. They are delighted with the quality of food. We started with almost 100 meals on Thursday and expect this to increase significantly in the coming days.”

Related News

ennis 04-04-20 5 abbey st car park
Test excavations to begin on Abbey St car park in preparation for Ennis 2040 development
horse-pony
East Clare horse breeder to go to court in pony cataract row
bramble lane ennis
Calls for Bramble Lane traffic calming to be assessed
cyril crowe 2
Fine Gael select Crowe, Cooney & Pat Burke on East Clare ticket for local elections
Latest News
Daniel Humphries of the Ennis RFC U18
Ennis RFC season kicks off with wins for Seniors and U14s
clare football huddle 1
Club delegates to be asked to propose Mark Fitzgerald as new Clare football boss
horse-pony
East Clare horse breeder to go to court in pony cataract row
bramble lane ennis
Calls for Bramble Lane traffic calming to be assessed
cyril crowe 2
Fine Gael select Crowe, Cooney & Pat Burke on East Clare ticket for local elections
Premium
conor henry kilkishen celtic
Kilkishen Celtic out to hold their own in first season in the top flight
ennis 04-04-20 5 abbey st car park
Test excavations to begin on Abbey St car park in preparation for Ennis 2040 development
clare football huddle 1
Club delegates to be asked to propose Mark Fitzgerald as new Clare football boss
horse-pony
East Clare horse breeder to go to court in pony cataract row
cyril crowe 2
Fine Gael select Crowe, Cooney & Pat Burke on East Clare ticket for local elections

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks