Food Starter Programme:

Objectives:

The objective of the workshops is to provide the participants with a base knowledge of what is involved in setting up a food or drink manufacturing business. The content is designed to provide participants with information which will allow them to avoid the pitfalls normally associated with this journey.

Day 1

Friday, 20th March - 8.30am to 4.30pm (In person at Greentech HQ, Enniscorthy)

Day 1 will consist of  2 workshops:  

Workshop 1

The focus of day one is on ensuring that the producer understands the research required to ensure their idea is feasible and also to help them recognise crowded categories.

• Researching your business idea
• Feedback on your product idea from the workshop facilitator
• Understanding how to conduct research for your food business and how to complete a food business feasibility study.
• Interpreting Irish food market trends and drivers

Workshop 2

This second workshop covers two topics expensively i.e., food safety and route to market planning. 

• Food safety overview
• Selecting the right channel to market for your product
• Understanding the registration process and the role of the EHO.
• Knowing how to use the FSAI food safety resources.
• Identifying legislation that governs packaging and labelling.
• Exploring all routes to market including the following:
  • Retail supply
  • Foodservice supply
  • Selling directly at markets and online
  • Selling via third parties like Amazon, Ocado and Ankor Store
• Supplying the speciality retail sector
• Identifying unusual channels to sell through e.g. hamper companies, etc.

Day 2

Monday, 30th March from 2.00 - 5.30 pm (online). 

Workshop 3

The focus for Workshop 3 is finance and funding and the creation of the all-important cost model The content will include:

• Developing a cost-plus model
• Understanding all of the costs input including fixed and variable
• Costing and managing finance
• State agency supports and funding.
• Potential grant support and how to access.

Day 3

Wednesday, 1st April from 2.00 - 5.30 pm (online). 

Workshop 4 

This final workshop focuses on creating an exceptional brand and building that brand.

• How to brief a brand design company
• The difference between branding and graphic design
• Exploring all of the tools to help with brand building e.g. social media, free PR etc.
• Distribution and logistics
• Identifying a unique positioning for the product
• Understanding branding and communicating the key brand messages
• Supports available for your food journey and where to next.

Trainer:

James Burke,
James Burke & Associates