Food Starter Programme September 2026

• 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.
• Ideally, participants should have previously completed the LEO Start Your Own Business Programme (although this is not mandatory). This programme content assumes participants have the required business knowledge to run a successful business e.g. must already understand the basics of setting up a business, tax compliance rules, creating a business plan etc.
• For those considering applying for the Food Academy programme in the future, this programme will provide an excellent opportunity to boost your chances

The content for this programme includes:

• Successful Small Business Stories, Videos and Case Studies
• Outline of Business Feasibility Study
• Consumer and Market Research
• Market Trends and Drivers, Consumer and Trade Customer Profiles
• Primary Market Research
• Measuring Market Gaps
• The Importance of Food Safety and Legislation
• Packaging
• Considerations for Developing your Product for Launch
• Selecting the Right Channel/Route to Market
• Costings and Managing Finance
• A Case Study – A practical illustration
• Information on State Agency Supports and Sources of Funds
• Meeting the Store Manager/Chef
• Distribution and Logistics
• Identifying Your Unique Selling Points
• Understanding Branding
• Brand and Packaging Review Exercise
• Communicating Your Brand - Marketing and PR
• Next Steps, Supplier Development Programmes and Q&A.

Target Audience:

• The Programme content is targeted as food and drink producers. People thinking of starting their own food business or in the early stages of start-up and this includes people who are hoping to progress their food hobby into a full-time sustainable business, who can demonstrate that they have a well-researched business idea that they are capable of commercialising. 
• The programme content is not suitable for those planning to open a cafe, restaurant or foodservice operation (business owners from these categories should discuss options with their LEO). The programme content is focused on food and drink, and is therefore less suitable for those producing "near foods" such as pet foods, health supplements, etc. (Producers from near food categories should be advised that the programme content may have shortcomings, but it is still possible for producers from these categories to participate in the Food Starter programme).

Programme Objectives:

On successful completion of the programme participants will:

• Have a sound knowledge of the rudiments of food business start-up.
• Have identified the costs associated with establishing and operating the business and how these costs will be funded.
• Be in a position to go about their start-up in an effective way.

Programme Dates:

• WS1: 2nd February  @ 9.30am – 12:45pm via Zoom
• WS2:  9th February @ 9.30am – 12:45pm via Zoom
• WS3: 16th February @ 9.30am – 12:45pm via Zoom
• WS4: 23rd February @ 9.30am – 12:45pm via Zoom

Session One and Two :

• 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
• Food safety overview
• Selecting the right channel to market for your product

Session Three & Four :

• Costing and managing finance
• State agency supports and funding
• 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

Note - This training is reserved for Leitrim, Donegal and Sligo based businesses only.