Sysco Ireland Expands Meals & More to 35 Clubs in Northern Ireland

Sysco, Ireland’s largest foodservice provider, is expanding its partnership with Meals & More in Northern Ireland. The programme, which tackles holiday food poverty and social isolation, is set to grow from five to 35 clubs in 2026, supported by a £50,000 investment from the company.

As part of this growth, Meals & More will broaden its delivery network from a single partner, Children in Northern Ireland (CINI), to three partners, including Healthy Living Centre Alliance (HLCA) and Feeding Britain NI. This rollout will benefit over 1,000 children at each stage of the programme providing them with access to healthy meals and structured activities during school holidays helping to reduce isolation, inactivity, and emotional stress. Food provision will also increase significantly, with a projected 42,500 meals planned for 2026/27, up from 14,700 meals in 2025.

Speaking on the partnership, Mark Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Sysco Ireland, said: “Sysco is proud to support Meals & More as they expand vital support across Northern Ireland from 5 to 35 clubs. This growth will ensure more children and families have access to nutritious meals when they need them most. Beyond funding Meals & More, we are collaborating more closely with Children in Northern Ireland to find practical ways to enhance their programmes.

“In February, in partnership with CINI, we hosted a careers day to bring the world of work to life for some of the young adults in their clubs. This was the first of many events and we look forward to growing our partnership and creating even more meaningful opportunities for the children and families we support.”

Now in its tenth year, Meals & More has provided over 2.5 million meals across the UK, growing from three clubs in 2015 to more than 400 nationwide. Beyond food provision, the clubs offer safe, structured spaces where children can learn, play, and stay active during school holidays.

Speaking on the partnership with Sam Payne, Managing Director, Meals and More, said
“We’re incredibly excited about what this expansion makes possible for children and communities across Northern Ireland. Growing from five to 35 clubs is not just about scale, it’s about building a smarter, more collaborative model that delivers healthy meals, reduces isolation and creates positive holiday experiences for thousands of children. Support from partners like Sysco Ireland allows us to accelerate our vision and take bold steps forward as Meals & More continues to grow.”

Looking ahead, Sysco Ireland will continue to support the programme’s expansion and explore further initiatives to tackle food poverty and provide enriching opportunities for young people across Northern Ireland.