The Emerson’s Foundation has donated £500 to a charity which supports farming families in crisis in a fundraising drive by Emerson’s Supermarket launched during the milk price crisis last year.
Emerson’s Supermarket in Armagh took the lead in Northern Ireland to assist farmers struggling during the crisis by announcing its support for farming families.
The independent supermarket, which has been serving the local community for over 125 years, launched the fundraising campaign to donate money to Rural Support – a charity which offers a support service to farming families.
Farmers across Northern Ireland had joined dairy farmers across the UK in protests over the cost of milk production in comparison to what they are actually being paid.
The challenges being faced by local farmers, as a result of volatility in global market conditions, meant many families feared they could lose their businesses by Christmas.
Gavin Emerson, owner of Emerson’s Supermarket, said many of his customers are families of dairy farmers who are struggling so as a business he wanted to help.
He said: “The market for liquid milk was impacting negatively on dairy farmers and their families. No business person wants to get up out of bed knowing they are getting up to lose money.
“Many of these hard working families are customers of ours so we felt a duty to do something which offers practical support to an organisation which helps and support for families needing it. There isn’t a charity or fund specifically aimed at helping dairy farmers so we chose to donate £500 to Rural Support which offers a listening and signposting service.
“We hope by making the £500 donation that we are showing a hand of support for the people who work so hard to put milk on our tables.”
Alessie Magowan, a committee member with The Emerson’s Foundation said: “This is a perfect example of the work our foundation strives to do. Emerson’s Supermarket greatly values its customers and this was one way for the team to show their support to farming families in need of the services provided by Rural Support. We hope this £500 donation will help Rural Support continue to carry out its work supporting farming families and rural dwellers who have adversely affected by economic pressures and the prolonged deflated prices within the Agri-food sector.
ENDS:
Notes To Editor:
- Emerson’s is a family run supermarket which has been serving the local community for over 125 years. The supermarket employs 110 people and is committed to creating a sustainable future on the high street in Armagh city centre. Emerson’s Supermarket houses The Wine Store, the city’s Post Office and Uluru Bar & Grill.
- The Emerson’s Foundation has been set up by Emerson’s Supermarket in conjunction with Uluru Bar & Grill to highlight the positive contributions both businesses make in their local community.
- For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379 | mgmpr.co.uk | Retail PR | PR Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK | Brand Journalism Experts