Press Releases

11 Dec 2020

Mash Direct’s Jack Hamilton receives Covid-19 Response Frontline Hero – Business in the Community at Irish Quality Food Awards 2020

Mash Direct’s Jack Hamilton receives Covid-19 Response Frontline Hero – Business in the Community at Irish Quality Food Awards 2020
Jack Hamilton, Chief Operations Officer, Mash Direct

Mash Direct, the family run farm, producing a range of over 50 fresh vegetable convenience products, is delighted to announce that its Chief Operating Officer, Jack Hamilton has been awarded the ‘Covid-19 Response Frontline Hero – Business in the Community’ award at the Irish Quality Food Awards 2020. Jack was shortlisted for the Award based on his ability as a resilient leader and his quick and efficient attitude to adapting to changes as a result of Covid-19.

Jack was at the forefront of several initiatives at the company. He and the team at Mash Direct worked closely to assist people and businesses to continue to thrive during the challenging times that were presented in 2020 as a result of Covid-19.

Jack was rewarded for leading his business in helping the local community with food donation schemes; providing a direct to home vegetable delivery service; donation of over 3000 food parcels to NHS workers; getting behind a campaign to assist hospitality by providing restaurant vouchers to spend in local restaurants and for offering temporary employment to 30 local people.

The Mash Direct Champ-ionships, which was launched in July gave teams across the country the opportunity to win the top prize of a £5,000 sponsorship package.  Covid-19 has seen the temporary closure of many sports teams and prevented people enjoying certain fitness activities.  Mash Direct launched this campaign to help UK and ROI sports teams to recover and is part of the brand’s overall commitment to support health and wellbeing. 

The competition saw Leander Swimming Club being crowned Mash Direct Champ-ions.  The applications and videos were judged by an all-star panel of sporting stars and personalities.  The full line up included former Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby player Rory Best OBE, Italian international rugby star, Ian McKinley, Irish international and Arsenal footballer Katie McCabe, as well as BBC presenter and journalist Holly Hamilton.  The judges loved Leander's competition entry, especially their creative video.  Leander swimming club have a wide age-range of members, including the oldest coach in Ireland, as well as a great feeling of team spirit coming through the club. 

“This award is not for me; it is a testament to the incredible work of all the team at Mash Direct and I am just delighted to accept it on their behalf.” said Jack on receiving news of the award. “It was imperative that all of us remained agile during this crazy, unpredictable year and consider ways that we could assist the community that have been so good in supporting us over all these years, that was our real motivation”.

The Irish Quality Food Awards celebrate excellence in people and projects in the Irish food and drink industry in Ireland. Categories include; Best Initiative by a Foodservice Provider, Own Label Range of the Year, Rising Star Award and Supplier of the Year. For 2020, the awards included two Covid-19 specific categories to highlight the excellent work which has taken place during this difficult time. 

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