Small producers who have completed the SuperValu Food Academy Start and Advance programme are now having their products rolled out to 221 SuperValu stores across Ireland, which is expected to result in sales of over €10 million in 2015.
The programme was established as a joint initiative between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Office network as a way to support small Irish food companies in Ireland.
Over the last 12 months, hundreds of small food producers have been working with he retailer through the Food Academy programme, seeing their products trialled in their local SuperValu stores.
Now 155 food start-ups, offering a wide range of products from dairy-free ice cream and ‘healthy’ chocolate, to breakfast combo puddings and authentic spice, will see their products rolled out across 221 SuperValu stores nationwide.
Eamon Howell, Trading Director for SuperValu said, “This is a real endorsement to the Food Academy initiative, which allows us to bring community based food start- ups to market and provides them with the potential to grow their businesses even further, providing employment for themselves, members of their community and for some – family.
“It is great to nurture the energy and passion of these entrepreneurial producers and harness this into producing a range of products that we, as the number one Irish retailer, are proud to stock on our shelves.”
Rachel Nolan of Nobo ice cream commented on her brand’s participation, “The programme certainly helped us develop our product, identify the pitfalls early and grow with the confidence. The support from SuperValu is genuine and vitally important for the growth of small Irish producers like us.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
