This article was originally published prior to the dissolution of City & County Enterprise Boards and the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices. This article may therefore make reference to City & County Enterprise Boards.
On 7th February, Food Academy Start, a new programme aimed at supporting and nurturing start-up food businesses, commenced in Dublin. The pioneering initiative will help entrepreneurs from Fingal and other Dublin counties get their local produce onto the shelves of national and international supermarkets.
The programme has been organised by the Fingal County Enterprise Board, in partnership with the three other Dublin County and City Enterprise Boards, Bord Bia and SuperValu, and gives food companies a unique opportunity to progress from the initial start-up phases through to future planning; with a view to building sustainable businesses. The combination of expertise available to the participants of the Food Academy will enable them to identify and exploit market opportunities.
Culinary entrepreneurs from the Dublin region participating in the current Food Academy Start programme include:
- Raman Patel from Patel’s Food Company, a new family-run business producing authentic Indian food.
- Geraldine Witter of 88 Food Company, which makes a range of chutneys, jams and sauces.
- Suzanne Lynch and Catherine Buggy from Boutique Bake, with award-winning cakes and bread mixes.
- John Price and Ciaran Farrell from GreenValu, producers of high quality wheatgrass.
- Elaine Lavery from Improper Butter, producers of a range of Flavoured Irish Creamery butters.
Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of the Fingal County Enterprise Board, said: “Food Academy Start will showcase innovative concepts produced by Dublin-based entrepreneurs, reflecting their contemporary approach to Irish produce. This new initiative will help Irish entrepreneurs get their local produce onto national and international supermarket shelves. Supported by an impressive collaboration between industry and State agencies, the programme will deliver a unique interactive experience for business owners, which in-turn supports our local economy.”
Further food academy programmes are being organised for later in 2014. Please contact your Local Enterprise Office to find out when the next Food Academy will be taking place in your region.
