Waterford Local Enterprise Office ‘Loving Local' initiative assists local food producers

Earlier this month we completed an initiative called ‘Loving Local'.

In May 2017 we put a call out to Waterford's food and drink producers interested in getting involved in a programme we were about to commence called ‘Loving Local' and are delighted to have now successfully completed the programme whereby 5 of the county's top food and drinks producers will now have access to the shelves of Craft Butcher shops across the country.

Launch of Loving Local Programme 2017

Following a dedicated training programme designed by the LEO in Waterford and Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI), the Waterford based food producers can now access the nationwide network of Craft Butcher shops to have their wares feature for sale.

 

We had a hugely successful and excellent programme with the food producers Javier and Michelle Garduno from El Sombrero, Marie Power from The Sea Gardener, Trevor Murphy from Early Bird Eggs, Richard and Sheila Galvin from Clashganny Organic, Christina Kiely from Tastefully Yours and Little Thai Kitchen.

Early Bird Eggs Loving Local Programme

Marie's company ‘The Sea Gardener' is a seaweed forager and educator who has morphed into a small-scale producer of seaweed-based snacks. Trevor's business ‘Early Bird Free Range Eggs' are producing the best quality eggs; they are currently the only free-range egg producer with registered and approved egg packing facilities in Waterford. Javier and Michelle from ‘El Sombrero' produce a range of Salsas made with traditional Mexican recipes with locally grown ingredients, born in Mexico, made in Ireland. Richard and Sheila from ‘Clashganny Organic Farm' have been growing their crisp tangy organic eating apples for nearly 20 years and they now produce an Irish organic apple cider vinegar and from Tastefully Yours produce a range of good quality, delicious and somewhat different chutneys, plus delicious Little Thai Kitchen curry sauces are also produced by Tastefully Yours in Waterford.

Sea Gardener Loving Local Programme

The 12-week long training programme took place over the last number of months. The five food producers each qualified for a place on this specialist mentoring and training programme, which was designed specifically for small to medium food and drinks producers who already produce products which compliment the butcher shop offering.

 

The initiative offers the small and artisanal food producers an opportunity to drive sales and engagement at a national level providing a totally new route to market as ACBI have recently introduced their own central distribution system; therefore the companies can potentially access the nationwide network of craft butcher shops.

Clashganny Farm Loving Local Programme 

We are really delighted and proud of everyone involved. This has been hugely successful and all of the food and drinks producers came to this programme with great energy and enthusiasm. They undertook a rigorous training programme that has further strengthened their product offering, pricing strategy and their sales and promotion abilities and now through the programme the unique link with the network of Craft Butchers really opens new doors and a significant route to market.

El Sombrero Loving Local Programme

We know that accessing these markets can often take years for small food producers, so this is an excellent fast-track opportunity for each to grow their business significantly so we were delighted to partner with ACBI to create this opportunity.

Tastefully Your Loving Local Programme

The Local Enterprise Office offers support services for a range of start-up and existing SMEs in Waterford. For further details visit the team at 35 The Mall or at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan; call 0761 10 2905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie