Grocer pledges dairy crisis aid with farm charity donation

An independent Northern Ireland grocer wants to help crisis-hit dairy farmers by donating money to a countryside charity when shoppers buy branded milk.

Emersons in Armagh will give 10p to Rural Support for every two-litres sold from Dale Farm, part of the 1,900-member co-op United Dairy Farmers.

Owner Gavin Emerson said he had chosen charity Rural Support as it offered a listening and signposting service to farming families that needed help.

See also: Retailer milk pledges – what difference do they make?

Rural Support told the Belfast Telegraph this week that it has seen a surge in calls about financial worries.

“We hope by making a 10p donation that our customers will get behind the initiative and show a hand of support for the people who work so hard to put milk on our tables,” Mr Emerson said.

“The current market for liquid milk is impacting negatively on dairy farmers and their families. No business person wants to get up out of bed knowing they are getting up to lose money.”

“We hope by making a 10p donation that our customers will get behind the initiative and show a hand of support for the people who work so hard to put milk on our tables.”
Gavin Emerson, Emersons

The family-run store, which has been open for 125 years, is the latest supermarket to make a pledge to struggling food producers.

In the last fortnight, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Lidl have promised to pay higher minimum milk prices.

Earlier in August, north of England retailer Booths also claimed a fair farmgate price was boosting sales.

The promise from Emersons was welcome by Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ian Marshall, who called it a “positive step”.

“By donating money to Rural Support, Emersons are giving back to the agricultural industry in an uncomplicated way, through a charity that significantly helps the rural community,” he said.

Rural Support said it was pleased to have support from the retailers and urged farmers suffering financial stress to call 084 5606 7607.