Supervalu Takes Stock Of Clare Food Businesses
9 Clare food businesses who made pitches to Musgrave Group representatives last month have secured shelf space for their products in Supervalu stores.
Each of the businesses are participants of the Food Academy Start Programme, an initiative of Bord Bia, Supervalu and Local Enterprise Office Clare, which is aimed at nurturing start up food companies.
The programme comprised three full-day workshops and one-to-one mentor visits for the participating businesses, concluding with a showcase event for their products at The Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis.
The Clare Food Academy businesses who will see their products being trialled by Supervalu from January 18th, 2016, include Darren O'Connor (Magic Magan Raw Chocolate Bars), Martin Critten (Martins Mustards), Geraldine Moloney (Seafields Seaweed Relishes), Vera Muir (Clare Jam Co.), Tara Lee Byrne (GRÁ NOLA), Jordan Kelly (Kelly Sausages Dinner Sausage), Ann Ryan (Delia Keanes Scones), Jose Antonio Masillo (Posh Mash) and Maeve Eustace (Western Herd Brewery).
"We would like to congratulate each of the businesses involved who have been presented with a unique and valuable opportunity to develop their businesses and sales. The participating food companies will also be able to engage with numerous consumers first hand as well as host in-store tastings," said Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare.
Commenting on the Clare Food Academy Start Programme, Mr. McElwee stated: "We were delighted to work with Lahinch-based Food Trainer Carmel Connaire, Bord Bia and Supervalu in providing a consistent level of food marketing knowledge to new and early stage food businesses. The programme was delivered through workshop-style training and supported by Supervalu in guiding businesses from start up to retail listing."
The Local Enterprise Office Clare, Áras Contae and Chláir, Ennis, Co. Clare, can be contacted on 065-6821616 / localenterprise@clarecoco.ie. Further information on the Clare Food Academy Start Programme is available from www.localenterprise.ie/clare.