We encourage employees to get involved in volunteering, fundraising, festivals and events, and our goal is to have a positive impact on the communities where we operate, source from and where our employees live. We provide financial and resource assistance to local non-profit organisations and encourage our employees to get involved with local projects, giving their time and expertise.
Agricultural shows provide a forum to assist our farmer supplier community with market information and discuss sustainability issues. Larger food festivals attempt to bring urban and rural dwellers together and in doing so, foster mutual respect and appreciation of the value of this heritage, whilst showcasing locally grown produce and promoting sustainability.
Sponsor education and science to encourage innovation in sustainability – Have a positive impact on the communities where we operate, source from and where our employees live
South East Technological University (SETU) from Waterford, Ireland, was declared the winner of the 9th annual Great Agri-Food Debate, organised by Dawn Meats and McDonald’s. The Debate offers a platform for agriculture students from colleges and universities in Ireland and the UK to compete by debating topical issues relevant to the agri-food sector.
SETU debated with the Antrim-based College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in the final, having successfully opposed the motion that:
“People believe social media influencers more than scientific facts about red meat consumption”.
In defeating CAFRE in the Grand Final, SETU secured its fourth consecutive win, following successes in 2023, 2022, and 2021. Six teams from across Ireland and the UK, including Scotland’s Rural College in Edinburgh (SRUC) and Harper Adams University in Shropshire, entered the competition in 2024. The grand final of the competition was held in person on 28th November, on the winner’s home turf at the SETU Arena in Waterford.
The JAI programme inspires and motivates young people to succeed in the changing world of work by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need. JAI work directly with young people, schools and the business community to encourage young people to stay in school and help them realise their potential in order to empower a generation to learn, work and live. We are delighted to volunteer with JAI to deliver hands-on learning experiences in primary and second level schools in Waterford and Kilkenny. In 2023 and 2024, 7 volunteers from Dawn Meats delivered 3 JAI programmes and workshops, reaching 2 local schools for a total of 29 contact hours.
We sponsor and volunteer with SciFest, a nationwide programme in Ireland which was set up to promote STEM education amongst students and to encourage an interest in and love of STEM subjects. The SciFest programme consists of a series of one-day STEM fairs for second-level student, and is designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. It helps students to grow in confidence and develop their communication skills, provides an opportunity to visit local third-level colleges, and supports the inquiry-based, problem-solving approach promoted by the science and maths curriculum in second-level schools.
This time around students competed for The Dawn Meats Agricultural Science Award. The competition is open to secondary school students throughout Ireland, with submissions being judged at 15 regional third-level colleges of which we attended 14, with the Grand Final taking place at Marino College in November 2025. Future leaders of the Irish meat industry will require drive and dedication from the emerging problem solvers of today, especially those who focus on agriculture and food science with sustainable production at its core.
A pillar of the local West Devon community, Hatherleigh Primary School has direct links to our sites, employees’ children attending the school. We recognise the importance of providing children with an outdoor learning environment to ignite their imagination and creativity; therefore, we sponsored the redevelopment of their outdoor classroom, which offers outdoor learning opportunities throughout the year. The improvements made in the outdoor provisions will support the children in developing their skills of collaboration, resilience, physical and mental health, and social wellbeing.
Nightsafe Patrons work with young people who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, providing them with accommodation, information centres, and guidance. Our relationship with Nightsafe began with a donation of beef joints for the charity’s Christmas celebrations many years ago, and it has flourished since then. We supported a young person referred to us by Nightsafe Patrons by providing employment opportunities as well as workplace skills and training.
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation that strives to create a world free from poverty, fear, and oppression. With our ongoing investment and support, Concern has implemented the “Building Sustainable Livelihoods in Aweil North” project in Makuac Kotic Village, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan. South Sudan is ranked 193 out of 193 on the Human Development Index, making it one of the most deprived countries in the world. Issues in the country are exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, with severe flooding decreasing agricultural productivity, and regional instability placing pressures on already limited resources. These factors have culminated in at least 40% of the project area population facing a crisis of food insecurity.
The project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming practices among rural households vulnerable to climatic shocks, while helping to increase incomes through participation in income-generating activities and savings schemes. Through the supported households, the project has directly reached 62 individuals and indirectly benefited an additional 372 households. Participating individuals received livelihood inputs including crop and vegetable seeds, tools, and capacity development. Participants who acquired skills in agricultural techniques disseminated this knowledge to members of their households through collective workshops, creating a positive feedback loop within the community.
In the next planting season, Concern will provide training on draught animal technology for 62 farmers, with preparatory activities for this intervention already completed.