A Co Louth food company has transformed how it sells food and is helping to feed frontline workers in the battle against coronavirus.
Luke Judge and Evelyn Garland started their food business Simply Fit Food in 2016, after they found it difficult to find ready-made healthy meals suitable for Luke, who had been diagnosed with a heart condition.
The couple’s business has since been featured on Dragon’s Den and has won several business awards.
However, the sudden impact of the COVID-19 crisis struck a serious blow.
Larger supermarkets that stock Evelyn and Luke’s convenience-driven, healthy soups and meals suddenly pulled their orders, leaving the young couple with a 70% loss in sales.
Simply Fit Food delivers donated meals to front line COVID-19 workers.
Like many local food businesses faced with COVID-19-related adversity, they have adapted quickly.
They started focusing on online sales and now offer nationwide delivery of their ready-to-heat chillies, Thai curries, lentil soups and pastas within 48 hours.
Home delivery is in demand, Evelyn says.
“Our retail sales have gone down, but our online sales have gone up by about 120%,” she says.
“Anyone cocooning or who might be particularly vulnerable, we can bring healthy meals to their door. It works for people, especially if they’re stuck.”
Giving back
The couple have also created a donation page on their website, which has been helping feed those working the front lines of the pandemic.
“For us, we’re not as fussed with the business side of things right now. We want to be able to help people given the circumstances,” Evelyn explains.
“You can donate a minimum of €10, which provides workers with two meals, or as much as you want. We then accumulate the donations at the end of each week and make the meals.
“For instance, right now I’m heading to Navan General Hospital to do a drop and then we’re going to Lourdes General Hospital.”
Simply Fit Food delivers donated meals to front line COVID-19 workers
Over the past two weeks, Luke and Evelyn have raised nearly €3,500 and have been able to donate 2,500 meals and 2,800 cold-pressed juices. Having worked a long shift and they’ve only had crisps and buns to eat, it’s terrible
Deliveries go to a mixture of local GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and COVID-19 test centres in the Leinster region.
They are also delivering meals to families with sick children who are unable to leave their homes.
“You go into a hospital and you see the nursing staff and everyone – they’re run off their feet, having worked a long shift and they’ve only had crisps and buns to eat, it’s terrible,” Evelyn says.
“This way, we’re able to ensure the people doing the hard work get a healthy meal to help keep them going.”
Expansion on hold
While business expansions are currently on hold for Simply Fit Foods (like many other small businesses around Ireland), the couple are thrilled with the response to their call for donations and vow to continue feeding the masses as long as the crisis continues.
“The last two weeks have been incredible – the generosity, the kindness – people are just legends,” Evelyn says.
“Everyone’s been coming together. They want to do what they can without breaking the bank and we want to keep doing what we’re doing, too.
“That said, the most important things right now are having your health, making sure your family are healthy and having a roof over your head. This whole process has been a great dose of reality (for me).”
To donate or make an online order from Simply Fit Foods, visit their website www.simplyfitfood.com.
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A Co Louth food company has transformed how it sells food and is helping to feed frontline workers in the battle against coronavirus.
Luke Judge and Evelyn Garland started their food business Simply Fit Food in 2016, after they found it difficult to find ready-made healthy meals suitable for Luke, who had been diagnosed with a heart condition.
The couple’s business has since been featured on Dragon’s Den and has won several business awards.
However, the sudden impact of the COVID-19 crisis struck a serious blow.
Larger supermarkets that stock Evelyn and Luke’s convenience-driven, healthy soups and meals suddenly pulled their orders, leaving the young couple with a 70% loss in sales.
Simply Fit Food delivers donated meals to front line COVID-19 workers.
Like many local food businesses faced with COVID-19-related adversity, they have adapted quickly.
They started focusing on online sales and now offer nationwide delivery of their ready-to-heat chillies, Thai curries, lentil soups and pastas within 48 hours.
Home delivery is in demand, Evelyn says.
“Our retail sales have gone down, but our online sales have gone up by about 120%,” she says.
“Anyone cocooning or who might be particularly vulnerable, we can bring healthy meals to their door. It works for people, especially if they’re stuck.”
Giving back
The couple have also created a donation page on their website, which has been helping feed those working the front lines of the pandemic.
“For us, we’re not as fussed with the business side of things right now. We want to be able to help people given the circumstances,” Evelyn explains.
“You can donate a minimum of €10, which provides workers with two meals, or as much as you want. We then accumulate the donations at the end of each week and make the meals.
“For instance, right now I’m heading to Navan General Hospital to do a drop and then we’re going to Lourdes General Hospital.”
Simply Fit Food delivers donated meals to front line COVID-19 workers
Over the past two weeks, Luke and Evelyn have raised nearly €3,500 and have been able to donate 2,500 meals and 2,800 cold-pressed juices. Having worked a long shift and they’ve only had crisps and buns to eat, it’s terrible
Deliveries go to a mixture of local GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and COVID-19 test centres in the Leinster region.
They are also delivering meals to families with sick children who are unable to leave their homes.
“You go into a hospital and you see the nursing staff and everyone – they’re run off their feet, having worked a long shift and they’ve only had crisps and buns to eat, it’s terrible,” Evelyn says.
“This way, we’re able to ensure the people doing the hard work get a healthy meal to help keep them going.”
Expansion on hold
While business expansions are currently on hold for Simply Fit Foods (like many other small businesses around Ireland), the couple are thrilled with the response to their call for donations and vow to continue feeding the masses as long as the crisis continues.
“The last two weeks have been incredible – the generosity, the kindness – people are just legends,” Evelyn says.
“Everyone’s been coming together. They want to do what they can without breaking the bank and we want to keep doing what we’re doing, too.
“That said, the most important things right now are having your health, making sure your family are healthy and having a roof over your head. This whole process has been a great dose of reality (for me).”
To donate or make an online order from Simply Fit Foods, visit their website www.simplyfitfood.com.
Read more
Farmers 'let down' by UK supermarkets selling Polish beef
Living Life: how to be good with money
No need to panic: choose delivery
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