FOOD STARTER COURSE:

The Food Starter programme is an online 4 x 1/2-day programme designed to help those with a food idea, or those at a very early stage of starting up a food business. Typically, within the first 24 months. It will cover everything from an overview of the Irish food sector to the specifics of starting a food production business. It is a prerequisite for anyone undertaking the Food Academy Programme. We would also recommend starting out that you complete a Start your Own Business Programme with your Local Enterprise Office.

Food Starter Content

• Successful small business stories, videos and case studies
• Outline of business feasibility study
• Consumer and market research
• Market trends and drivers, consumer and trade customer profiles
• Primary market research
• Measuring market gaps
• The importance of food safety and legislation
• Packaging
• Considerations for developing your product for launch
• Selecting the right channel/route to market
• Costings and managing finance
• State agency supports and sources of funds
• Meeting the store manager/chef
• Distribution and logistics
• Identifying your unique selling points
• Understanding branding
• Brand and packaging review exercise
• Communicating your brand – Marketing and PR
• Supplier development programmes

Ideally, participants should have previously completed the LEO Start Your Own Business Programme. This programme content assumes participants have the required business knowledge to run a successful business e.g. must already understand the basics of setting up a business, tax compliance rules, creating a business plan etc.

If you are considering applying for the Food Academy programme in the future, this programme will provide an excellent opportunity to boost your chances of securing a place. The Food Starter programme is a pre-requisite for those planning to go on and participate in the Food Academy.

Please note that the programme content is not suitable for those planning to open a cafe, restaurant or foodservice operation (business owners from these categories should discuss options with their LEO).

The programme content is focused on food and drink, and is therefore less suitable for those producing "near foods" such as pet foods, health supplements, etc. (Producers from "near food" categories should be advised that the programme content may have shortcomings, but it is still possible for producers from these categories to participate in the Food Starter programme).

The Mid-West Regional Food Starter Programme is for clients of Local Enterprise Offices in Limerick, Tipperary & Clare and Limerick only.  Please contact your Local Enterprise Office if you are not from one of these areas.