Pictured at the launch of Enterprise Ireland SuperValu Supplier Development Programme are (L-R): Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, Claire Dalton from Kilbeg Dairies- Co. Meath, and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD has announced the 11 companies that will participate in the Enterprise Ireland SuperValu Supplier Development Programme. The programme, now in its sixth year, aims to assist emerging Irish food companies to achieve retail listings with supermarkets. To date, previous participants have benefited from €15 million in direct sales from SuperValu and created hundreds of jobs.

Developed by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with SuperValu, and assisted by Bord Bia and Teagasc, the Programme delivers support for small or emerging food companies to achieve the product quality, service standards and technical innovation necessary to reach supermarket shelves.

The six-month long programme consists of both workshops delivered by SuperValu and industry experts and one-on-one mentoring. This year’s participants are: Kilbeg Dairies, Clotilde’s Fruit Compote, Drombeg Spirits, Biddy Gonzales, Simplee, Jack Molloys, Flatbread Company, Pure Brazen, Kavanagh’s Fine Foods, Bombay Pantry and Pie Irish.

Launching the programme Minister Coveney said: “The market know-how of a company such as SuperValu is a huge benefit to food producers seeking to reach more consumers and to grow their businesses in line with Food Harvest 2020. A comprehensive retail programme such as this equips participants with skills required to secure and maintain a listing and so build a high profile route to market for their products.“

In 2011 the total purchases of Irish goods and services made by SuperValu, was worth over €1.6bn to the Irish economy, serving to both create and protect almost 30,000 Irish jobs in the farm, food and retail sector.

Click here for an Overview of Enterprise Ireland SuperValu Supplier Development Programme participants: