Food Starter Programme

Food Starter Programme

Digital School of FoodThe 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.

For country wide details of the next available programmes, please click here


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

The next Food Starter Programme will commence on the 1st of March 2024.

For more details click here: Food Starter Programme - Local Enterprise Office - Louth