New Digital School of Food for start-ups

A NEW online food programme is open to entrepreneurs across County Wicklow in an effort to boost the number of Irish food start-ups.

The new Local Enterprise Offices Digital School of Food is the first of its kind in Europe and was piloted in the Dublin region in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. Following the successful pilot, it is now available to those with an idea for a food business in Wicklow run by the Local Enterprise Offices. The online programme is an e-learning initiative that brings producers from idea right through to startup and grow stages.

The programme will give food entrepreneurs an education in planning a product journey and route to market, through thinking about finance and how to grow sales, right up to expanding the business. It includes support from experts in the field as each course has a real producer who contributes tips and advice throughout. The programme includes contributions from trade buyers in Supervalu, Musgraves and Spar along with the likes of Domini Kemp of ITSA Food Group and food producers who have been through the system.

Head of Enterprise, Vibeke Delahunt said: ‘Irish food is renowned the world over and we enjoy an enviable reputation for high quality food production. It is important that we continue to cultivate new food entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly during these challenging times. The Digital School of Food is an excellent first step for anyone with an idea to establish a food production business. It will help them mould that idea to bring it to the next stage. This is particularly significant now, with many potential entrepreneurs at home, they can access this programme from anywhere.

‘Starting a food business can be straightforward but growing it can be challenging. The Local Enterprise Offices are there to support those who take the programme. Following completion, participants can move on to more advanced programmes such as Food Starter and Food Academy, as well as further supports such as management development and assistance in raising funding for their small business. The Digital School of Food is a game changer for food entrepreneurs and will enable aspiring entrepreneurs to learn best practice in setting up a food business.’

Entrepreneurs who complete the Digital School of Food are then primed to move on to take part in Food Starter programme offered by the Local Enterprise Offices and subsequently Food Academy, which gives producers the opportunity to get their product on retail shelves.

Local Enterprise Office Wicklow have supported several successful food businesses in the region including Olive and Pat Germaine of The Bird and the

Teas, a very successful chutneys, relishes and preserves producer. They represented Wicklow in the Local Enterprise Village during the National Ploughing Championships 2019 in Borris, Co. Carlow and have taken part in the Food Starter Programme.

Hanna Sherrin of Ballyhubbock Farm in the Glen of Imaal has participated in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition with Local Enterprise Office Wicklow and the Food Academy. You can find Ballyhubbock artisan sheep milk ice-cream on selected Supervalu shelves.

Cllr Irene Winters, Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, said: ‘The launch of the Digital School of Food ties in nicely with the work by Wicklow County Council and County Wicklow Partnership to develop local food producers and the launch of www.wicklownaturally.ie. I encourage anyone with an aspiring food business idea to take part in the training through the Digital Food of School and to connect with the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow and the Food Producers group driving Wicklow Naturally. The Wicklow Food and Beverage Strategy had its origins in the Local Economic and Community Plan.

‘The need to support the county’s food and beverage production, through brand development, promotion, marketing and food tourism was highlighted. With Covid-19 ongoing the need to support food and beverage production is even more crucial. Wicklow Naturally will support its members and we will be working alongside our colleagues in the Local Enterprise Office and County Wicklow Partnership to showcase the business supports available to people during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and beyond. There are a lot of people continuing to work behind the scenes who are the driving force behind the implementation of the food and beverage strategy, so sign up as members.’