Aramark Ireland is partnering with GIY, Grow It Yourself, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring people to grow their own food, to launch this year’s ‘Celebrate Irish Food’ campaign.This year’s campaign, which will run between 10-14 March, will see Aramark Food Services, which currently serve 250,00 meals daily in workplaces throughout Ireland, teaming up with GIY to promote the use of locally sourced products and awareness and understanding of the impact that food has on health and wellness.Speaking at the launch of Aramark’s Celebrate Irish Food campaign Donal O’Brien, chief executive of Aramark Ireland said: “At Aramark, we understand that consumers today are very conscious of the need to buy Irish and support local producers. They want high-quality, local ingredients that are also healthy, nutritious and sustainable. This is why we place locally sourced food at the heart of our business. We are committed to serving the finest and freshest local produce to our customers and spend €60m annually with Irish suppliers.“The Celebrate Irish Food campaign is about creating awareness and highlighting the importance of local sourcing and food education and we are excited to work with GIY to promote these values.”Michael Kelly, CEO of GIY said: “An increasing number of people today are looking to grow their own produce and create a more sustainable future for themselves and their families. GIY is about giving them the tools and the know-how to do so. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve an acre of land or a few plant pots on the balcony, anyone can grow their own food.“Growing even just some of your own food can greatly improve your appreciation of food and where it comes from. We are therefore delighted to partner with Aramark Ireland for this year’s Celebrate Irish Food campaign and to work together to spread the message of the value of nutritious, healthy and locally sourced produce.”Over the course of the week, Aramark Food Services will offer dedicated Irish themed menus and take away ‘growing charts’ for customers to try growing their own produce throughout the year. Themed recipes can also be found on the Celebrate Irish Food Facebook page.The GIY Partnership marks the start of a three-year partnership with Aramark promoting the benefits of growing your own food and understanding where food comes from.GIY was named as one of Aramark Ireland’s nominated charities for 2014 . Throughout the year, Aramark Ireland employees will host and support a number of fundraising initiatives such as the Aramark Ireland Right Track Pledge campaign.Aramark’s Right Track Pledge campaign is an initiative to promote healthy eating and work life balance. Championed by Aramark’s Health and Wellness Ambassador, Katie Taylor, the campaign aims to encourage people across the country to pledge to change one thing in their lives, be it big or small, physical or emotional wellbeing.For each ‘Pledge’ received, Aramark will make a donation of 20 cent to the company’s four chosen charities for 2014 and is aiming to raise a total of €7,000.Pictured: Donal O’Brien, left, CEO, Aramark Ireland and Michael Kelly, CEO of GIY, pictured at the launch of Celebrate Irish Food week 2014

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