Castlederg retailer showcases benefits of locally sourced fresh food to school

Alison Logue, operations manager at SPAR Castlederg and Lynsey Evans, commercial manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Wholesale, visited two local Castlederg primary schools, Edwards Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School. | Submitted.

placeholder image — Alison Logue, operations manager at SPAR Castlederg and Lynsey Evans, commercial manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Wholesale, visited two local Castlederg primary schools, Edwards Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School. | Submitted.

REPRESENTATIVES from SPAR recently visited two primary schools in Castlederg to exhibit the best of Northern Ireland’s local food producers.

Alison Logue, operations manager at SPAR Castlederg and Lynsey Evans, commercial manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Wholesale, visited Edwards Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School.

The engaging sessions were designed to showcase the richness of Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry and to help inspire the next generation about the importance of local food and healthy eating, and how they can go hand in hand.

Together, they spoke with pupils about where their food comes from, the importance of supporting local farmers and producers, and how making homegrown, healthy choices benefits both communities and the environment.

The SPAR representatives spoke with pupils about where their food comes from, the importance of supporting local farmers and producers, and how making homegrown, healthy choices benefits both communities and the environment. | Submitted.

To bring the message home, each pupil received a selection of fresh, locally sourced produce including donations from Keelings and pumpkins provided by Gilfresh.

Alison commented: “We are incredibly proud of our local suppliers here in Northern Ireland, and we’re passionate about sharing that with our shoppers, and now with the next generation.

!As a local business, it’s so important to make a positive impact, not just in our store, but throughout the community.”

The event highlighted the value of educating young people on food origins, nutrition, and the importance of buying local.

Charlie and Ruth Hamilton have the local community at the heart of their businesses as they own three stores across Co. Tyrone, first opening Hamilton’s SPAR, Newtownstewart in 1979, followed by SPAR Castlederg in 1995 and three years later, their Tamlaght Road SPAR opened its doors in 1998.

Their daughter Alison joined the family business full time in 2018, helping to build upon the family business for years to come.