Food Academy

Supporting the Growth of Ireland’s Food and Drink Industry

*Please note the closing date for applications is the 16th of September 2019*

Food Academy is a training programme aimed at supporting and nurturing early stage food businesses. The Local Enterprise Office Wicklow has joined forces with Bord Bía and SuperValu on this initiative to provide a consistent level of food marketing knowledge to early-stage food business owners.

At the final workshop, participants will get the opportunity to present their product to a panel from SuperValu and if successful, can participate in a trial based in local shops, which in the right circumstances, could progress over time to a national listing with SuperValu. There is no guarantee of your product being listed as part of the programme. However, the majority of products do proceed to trial with Supervalu.

Programme Objectives

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the tools which can be used to assess market gaps for your product

• Understand core technical issues facing your food or drink business

• Learn how to grow sales for your product range through better branding and packaging design

• Gain all of the tools and knowledge necessary to launch and build a successful food business in Ireland 

   

  Who can participate?

  The Food Academy is aimed at those in the early to mid-stages of developing a food or drink business. Selection criteria will apply. 

  How much does it cost?

  The Academy costs €200 and is inclusive of all course materials, training and mentoring. If you are pre-approved you will receive a link to make your payment online.

  Programme Dates

  The programme will consist of four full training days, one day for each module and will culminate with the businesses pitching their product proposition to the Supervalu Buying Team

  The workshops dates are to be confirmed but indicative dates are as follows

  Workshop 1 – Week beginning 14.10.19

  Workshop 2 – Week beginning 11.11.19

  Workshop 3 – Week beginning 02.12.19

  Workshop 4 – Week beginning 13.01.20

  Pitch to Buyers – week beginning 10.2.20

  Trial Go Live date for selected products – 18.05.20

   

  For additional Information please download

  Food Academy Brochure Here

  Food Academy Application form Here

   

  Please email completed application forms to arowsome@leo.wicklowcoco.ie by 16^th September 2019