INSIDEBUSINESS Foodproducers urgedtoapply foracademy
FOOD and drink entrepreneurs in the Garden County are being encouraged to apply for the Food Academy programme.
The programme, which is run by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wicklow in partnership with SuperValu and Bord Bia, is open for applications until June 26.
The Food Academy programme was established in 2013 to support early stage food and drink producers and small food businesses who are just starting out. The applicants are trained through the Local Enterprise Office with expertise from Bord Bia and the opportunity at the end of the programme to graduate onto the shelves of their local SuperValu, getting a potential listing in one of Ireland’s biggest retailers.
Participants on the programme receive training in market research, branding and the consumer, food safety, marketing and social media, finance and growing your business.
Vibeke Delahunt, head of Local Enterprise Office Wicklow said; ‘We have a proud tradition of quality food and drink producers in the county. There is now a very defined path that those with ambitions to become food entrepreneurs can follow through the Digital School of Food, through to Food Starter and Food Academy.
‘Food and drinks producers contribute hugely to our local economy through sales and also supporting jobs. Food Academy has shown that it can bring the very best out of up-and-coming food businesses, so if you are starting out and want to give your business a great chance and the opportunity to secure a listing at one of Ireland’s largest retailers then this is the way to go.’
The closing date for applications is June 26. To apply, see www.localenterprise.ie.