Food Academy Start Programme

N.B. This programme is not open to online bookings as it is a competitive application process. For an application form click on the link below.

The Food Academy is a new initiative developed through a collaboration between Bord Bia, the Local Enterprise Offices and Supervalu. The programme provides integrated support and training to food companies as they progress on their journey of growth from start-up to national distribution and export. The Food Academy Start programme is a comprehensive training programme which consists of four modules covering Finance, Distribution, the Market and the Consumer and Production and Marketing.

Local Enterprise Office Sligo in association with Donegal and Leitrim Local Enterprise Offices plan on delivering a regional Food Academy Programme commencing in October 2015. Depending on numbers, approximately 5 Sligo based business will be selected to participate. The fee for participation will €150 per selected business. This will cover 4 monthly Food Academy Workshops plus mentoring, trials etc.

Programme Objectives

• To develop an in-depth knowledge of the tools which can be used to assess market background.
• To understand core technical issues facing your food or drink business.
• To learn how to grow sales for your product range through better branding and packaging design.
• To gain all of the tools and knowledge necessary to launch and build a successful food business in Ireland.

Mentoring is an important part of the programme and participants will be invited to pitch their product to SuperValu and if successful they will proceed to in store trials.

For more information and an application form go to: www.localenterprise.ie/Sligo/Training-Events/Programmes/Food-Academy-Programme/