New social enterprise café opens at Ulster American Folk Park

New social enterprise café opens at Ulster American Folk Park

Loaf Catering, the social enterprise supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future, has opened a new café in partnership with National Museums NI.

The new Loaf Café at the Ulster American Folk Park, operated by NOW Group for National Museums NI, will champion the use of locally sourced produce at the museum for local visitors and tourists alike.

The newly refurbished space offers a light and airy setting to enjoy a range of freshly made food including Loaf’s award-winning sausage rolls, healthy salads and traditional soups and stews.

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said the partnership with NOW Group was a perfect fit for the organisation.

“We are a cause-based and purpose-driven organisation, and so our core values were reflected in the social purpose championed by NOW Group and Loaf Catering.  At National Museums NI we place huge value on working in partnership with other organisations.  We both provide an invaluable service within the community with meaningful impact.  We look forward to working with the award-winning team at Loaf Catering and to see the real difference partnerships such as this have on the lives of the people who participate in the training and employment programmes facilitated by NOW Group.”

Loaf Catering, the social enterprise supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future, has opened its new Loaf Café at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh in partnership with National Museums NI.

Kathryn added: “At all our museums, we aim to provide the best possible experience for visitors at every touchpoint, from the warm welcome they receive on arriving right through to an excellent quality dining experience. We are delighted that we are able to offer our visitors, whether from home or overseas, a new and improved opportunity to savour the best of local produce, all within the unique setting of the Ulster American Folk Park.”

Diane Hill, Director of Business Development at NOW Group, said: “We’re delighted to bring Loaf Café to Omagh – and especially in partnership with National Museums NI.  This site joins our popular Belfast cafés – The Bobbin in City Hall and Loaf Café and Bakery on Grosvenor Road as part of the Loaf family.  We also run Loaf Pottery in Crawfordsburn, Co Down and offer catering and creative event hospitality solutions for all types of gatherings – from corporate meetings to family occasions.  We look forward to extending this offer to the Omagh area and continuing to build employment opportunities for our participants with learning difficulties and autism.”