Mash Direct, the family run farm producing a range of over 50 fresh vegetable convenience products, is delighted to announce that its director 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 ROI and UK sports teams to recover and is part of the brand’s overall commitment to support health and wellbeing.
“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.
Mash Direct is a sixth generation farming family business currently owned and run by Martin and Tracy Hamilton and their sons, Lance and Jack. Over the past 25 years from the initial dream of making traditional ‘Ulster’ Champ for convenience in 2004, the Hamilton family has grown Mash Direct into a National household brand, employing 245 people.
The Hamilton family developed a small industrial kitchen on their farm to capture a traditional cooking style, specially designing and building a number of pieces of equipment including a unique masher and steam cooker. The bespoke equipment ensures that the vegetables can be steamed gently to retain optimum nutrients and capture the fresh harvested flavour and texture. Each dish is low in saturated fat, gluten-free and free from artificial flavourings and colourings.
Mash Direct produce over 50 farm fresh products, 23 of which have won Great Taste Awards. From innovative creations, like Beer Battered Onion Rings, Vegan Mashed Potato and Cheese & Onion Croquettes, to culinary classics, like Broccoli with a Cheese Sauce, and seasonal editions, including Neeps & Tatties, there are Mash Direct products for every occasion. All products are cooked to perfection and are the ideal accompaniment to individual home cooked meals, Sunday lunches or family celebrations. Suitable for microwave and oven heating.
