The Food Academy Start Programme – Expressions of Interest sought

The Food Academy Start Programme is designed for people who are looking to develop and grow small-scale food and drink production businesses. The programme is delivered through workshop style training and one-to-one mentoring sessions and is supported by SuperValu and Bord Bia. It is aimed at those in the early stages of developing their food or drink business. Selection criteria will apply.

In collaboration with Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Offices & Musgrave Retail are offering a standardised food marketing programme under the umbrella of the Food Academy, which will assist entrepreneurs/pre start-ups/start-ups/small food businesses develop and grow their businesses taking into account the following :

• Market Background and Understanding the Consumer;
• Core Technical Issues; 
• Sales Growth Development and Enhancement.

It is intended that this programme forms part of a series of integrated steps, allowing companies to avail of Bord Bia’s suite of follow-on programmes at the appropriate stage of market development.

Programme Content

The programme consists of four workshops covering 6 modules –

The Market and Market Analysis – routes to market, SWOT Analysis of your business

The Consumer – Interpreting Trends and data, Supervised visit to a Supervalu store

Pricing – Introduction to Finance, Margin Calculation, Promotional Pricing, Raising Funds, Business plans

The Proposition – Market mapping, positioning, Unique Selling points, USP development

Marketing -  Marketing plan, preparing for the retailer pitch, Guest Speaker – established Food Company

The Product – Product launch checklist, Packaging, Food Labelling & the law, Food Production and HACCP

Presentations for Supervalu – Introduction of the Supervalu panel, presentation from Supervalu to the participants and feedback

Moving on  -  This additional module prepares participants for the next steps in their journey and focuses on marketing, sales and raising brand awareness.

Each participant will receive two mentor sessions as part of the programme which will focus on individual producer needs with customised advice provided.

** Workshop content may vary slightly from that contained above.

The cost to take part on the programme is €200 (inclusive of all course material, training & mentoring)

The application form can be found here Please submit it localenterprise@westmeathcoco.ie

The closing date for the next round of the Food Academy programme is 26^th June.