Food Academy Start for small food businesses

350 Irish small food businesses are set to benefit from Food Academy Start, a new training programme launched by Bord Bia aimed at supporting and nurturing start-up food businesses.

Bord Bia, SuperValu and the County Enterprise Boards have joined forces to provide food marketing knowledge to new and early-stage food business owners. For the first time, food start-ups regardless of their location will have access to a standardised programme of supports throughout the country. 

Vincent Reynolds, CEB; Martin Kelleher, Supervalu: Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

The programme will be delivered through workshop-style training supported by SuperValu in the context of retail expertise and providing a route-to-market, designed to guide companies from start-up to their first retail listing. 

 

Speaking at the launch today the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD commented

“Food Academy Start is a unique opportunity for ambitious food entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses. Small food businesses play an important part in Ireland’s agri-food sector by enhancing our reputation for dynamic, sustainable, and quality food, as well as providing employment and revenues of €475 million per annum,” remarked Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.