Guaranteed Irish has announced a new partnership with The Food Academy programme.
The partnership will see SuperValu subsidise the Guaranteed Irish membership fee for Food Academy producers for one year, on being awarded the Guaranteed Irish seal of approval by the business membership network's appraising committee, the retailer said.
To date, 620 food producers have come through the programme, with 292 producers currently live in-store with a 52-week shelf space commitment.
"We have a rich heritage of food business and innovation in Ireland, and it has never been more important to support our local & Irish producers," said Carmel Biggane food academy manager, SuperValu.
The deal comes as Irish take-home grocery sales soar by 25.4% during the 12 weeks to 17 May, the fastest rate of growth recorded in the past 15 years, as shoppers adapt to life at home, Kantar Worldpanel reports.
Food Academy Programme
Founded in 2014, SuperValu joined forces with the Local Enterprise Office Network and Bord Bia to create the Food Academy Programme.
Food Academy producers have sold a combined €140 million of produce in SuperValu stores nationwide since 2014, supporting over 1,500 jobs in the Irish economy.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
