SuperValu today announced the launch of the Food Academy Programme for 2024, with applications open until 5 April.
The Food Academy Programme, now in its 11th year, is seeking applicants from start-ups and early stage food and drink producers across Ireland.
It is a business development initiative supported by SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office.
The Programme
Its aim is to help businesses grow and provide mentorship and educational support to new Irish producers.
The Food Academy also works to promote sustainability within the Irish economy and showcase high-quality homegrown products.
To date, more than 1,000 producers from across Ireland have successfully completed the programme.
The initiative provides producers with the opportunity to showcase their products on SuperValu shelves year round.
Since the programme launched in 2013, producers have collectively generated €230 million in sales with SuperValu. This has supported 1,500 jobs and the economy.
As well as benefitting new producers, the initiative also aligns with current customer trends.
This is shown in its commitment to sustainability, its focus on product sources and its preference for locally-sourced goods.
The initiative also represents essential support for up-and-coming businesses during a time when costs are high.
‘Fostering Local Talent’
Speaking about the partnership with the Food Academy, trading director at SuperValu Ciara McClafferty said, “At SuperValu, support of local and Irish producers is in our DNA, and our involvement in Food Academy further emphasises our dedication to fostering local talent and businesses within the food industry.
“Consumer tastes and behaviours are constantly evolving, and the Food Academy is meeting these needs, being centred around nurturing innovative food and drink producers to deliver great tasting products for our shoppers and the Irish market.”
Gerry Scullion, whose business King of Kefir benefitted from Food Academy, praised the education provided by the organisation.
He said interacting with customers in SuperValu stores enabled them to enhance their product.
They did this by changing from beer bottles, which required a bottle opener, to cans for customer convenience.
Scullion said, “The Food Academy has enabled us to research and gain a better understanding of our customers’ needs.
“As a result, the programme led us to develop new packaging formats which are now an integral part of our product range.”
Applications are now open through your Local Enterprise Office: www.localenterprise.ie/FoodSupports/Food-Academy-Programme
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