45 of Ireland’s Irish food and drink producers have won a new contract to supply Aldi’s 142 stores through its Grow with Aldi Supplier Development Programme.
Over 75 Irish-made products will now go on sale nationwide as part of an Aldi Specialbuys event, kicking off on Sunday, 31 May for two weeks only, the discount retailer said.
A diverse range of products have been selected for 2020, including Cordials, Artisan Chocolate, Baking Mixes, Piedmontese Beef Sausages, Irish Farmhouse Cheeses and Frozen Pizzas.
“Now in its third year, Grow with Aldi has consistently delivered for everyone involved. Small and medium sized Irish suppliers get the opportunity to have their product sold nationally, shoppers get to enjoy the best Irish-made products being created and Aldi gets to work with even more Irish suppliers," said John Curtin, Aldi Group buying director.
"With everything that has happened worldwide over the past few months, we couldn’t think of a better time to be supporting Irish suppliers more," he said.
Support Local
Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi supports small and medium Irish suppliers in listing with a national retailer.
Suppliers receive tailored mentoring, workshops from the Aldi Buying Team and Bord Bia technical experts, teaching them the skills to help grow and develop their product, brand and business.
“As a nation, we love to purchase locally sourced products; recent research from Bord Bia showed that 76% of people use Irish produce where possible and over two thirds of those surveyed agreed that food of Irish origin was worth paying a little more for," said Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO.
"Now more than ever this is hugely important, and Grow with Aldi not only helps meet consumer demand for Irish products, but also supports small and medium Irish suppliers as they develop the skills and capabilities their businesses need in the current climate,” she added.
Extended Contracts
Allied to this, five of the Grow with Aldi suppliers will then be given a further opportunity, winning a contract for their product to be sold in Aldi’s Irish stores year-round.
In 2019, All About Kombucha, Galway (Kombucha), Funky Monkey Foods, Dublin (Curry Mix and Salt & Chilli Mix), Walls Honest Chips, Cork (Chips), Ballyvourney Pudding, Cork (Black and White Pudding), Pizzado Pizza, Co. Down (Fresh Pizza Bases) and Mama Bear Ketchup, Cork (Low Sugar Ketchup) all won a core listing in all 142 stores nationwide.
Aldi is investing €500,000 in the Grow with Aldi programme this year, and to date, has invested over €1.5million with small and medium Irish suppliers since it began in 2018.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
