SuperValu calls on local producers to join its Food Academy; Ireland’s shoppers are savvy online

SuperValu calls on local producers to join its Food Academy

SUPERVALU is calling on small food and drinks producers around the country to enter its Food Academy programme. Now in its eighth year, Food Academy is a unique food business development programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Participants in the programme receive training in food safety, market research and branding, marketing, finance, sustainability and business development. The Food Academy programme currently supports 290 Irish food and drink producers, including 140 female entrepreneurs, generating €170m in sales. In 2020, there was a 15% growth in SuperValu Food Academy sales, with participants earning €28m. The Food Academy programme supports 1,500 jobs in local communities nationwide. “At SuperValu, we believe in local business and are proud to continue to support local producers across the country,” noted Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager, SuperValu. “In collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office network and Bord Bia, the Food Academy is a great way for us to help new businesses to grow and get the support they need. “The programme allows us to use our experience to help small businesses through their journey from start-up to getting their products on our shelves all year round. We’ve had great success with the Food Academy in recent years; we look forward to welcoming new producers this year and continuing to support local communities. I would call on local food producers across Ireland to get involved and see how Food Academy can help you grow.”

Welcoming the increase in Food Academy sales through SuperValu in 2020, Tómas Hayes of the Local Enterprise Offices said: “Since it was started up eight years ago by the Local Enterprise Offices, SuperValu and Bord Bia, the Food Academy programme has been hugely successful, going from strength to strength. It has helped hundreds of up-and-coming food producers to get their products marketready, giving them an opportunity to sell to a nationwide audience.” To apply, interested food and drink producers are encouraged to contact your Local Enterprise Office for an application form on www.LocalEnterprise.ie.

Hayley Milthorpe from The Cultured Food Company, one of the participants on the SuperValu Food Academy.

Ireland’s shoppers are savvy online

recent Visa study found. While the study revealed that the rise in online shopping had resulted in almost one third (31%) of people updating the security payment options on their mobile devices, 14% have yet to take any IRISH consumers continue to embrace online shopping. A new steps to protect themselves when paying online. Visa study has found that more than half (52%) of Irish consumers “Wherever or whatever you’re choosing to purchase, how shop online wherever possible. you pay matters,” said Dominic White, Acting Country Manager As more Irish consumers go online for their everyday shop, Ireland, Visa. “It’s encouraging that some Irish shoppers are the Visa Back to Business Study – 2021 Outlook revealed that taking steps to keep themselves safe online, but it’s important we many are looking to stay secure when shopping on the web. 81% continue to do these simple checks as shopping online becomes of those surveyed say they have part of our usual routine. At Visa, we work closely with banks taken steps to keep themselves across Ireland to protect consumers every time they pay with their safe when shopping online. In card. Every payment is protected with multiple layers of security, fact, 51% keep a regular eye on helping to prevent fraud so that Irish consumers can shop online their online transactions for any suspicious activity, comparing favourably with the global average of just 44%. Nevertheless, the study suggests that many Irish consumers may not know the hints with ease.” Meanwhile, Visa recently announced a partnership with ClickandCollection.com, an Irish start-up which provides small businesses with tools to sell online, to help more independent businesses take online orders and continue serving their communities. and tips to use to protect their Founded in April 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, details when shopping online. Less ClickandCollection.com enables businesses to set up an than a quarter (23%) surveyed say online storefront in a matter of minutes, with or without an they proactively check a website’s existing website. In fact, in the nine months since launch, Dominic White, Acting Country Manager Ireland, Visa. URL before making a payment and only 30% say they use different passwords on different sites, the ClickandCollection.com has helped over 250 Irish businesses get online, driving almost €6m in sales to a range of companies, from ice cream parlours to fine dining restaurants.