Local Mayo food business encourages others to apply for Food Academy

A Westport food business is encouraging others like them to apply for the Food Academy 2024.

Cabots of Westport, a Mayo-based chilled foods company, is telling start-up and early-stage food and drink businesses in Ireland to apply for the Food Academy 2024. 

The programme is actively seeking applications from budding start-up and early-stage food and drink producers across Ireland. 

Now, in its eleventh year, the extended commitment highlights the sustained success and positive impact the Food Academy has had on the local Irish food and drink industry.

Speaking about his business and experience with Food Academy, Redmond Cabot, founder of Cabots of Westport, said the academy has been ‘essential’ in introducing their products to a wider audience and allowing the business to ‘grow in a sustainable way’. 

“It has advised and assisted at every stage, as the business hit each new level of development and requirement,” he said.

The Food Academy, supported by SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office, is a unique and tailored business development initiative for start-up and early-stage producers.

The programme not only helps indigenous businesses but also contributes to the overall growth and sustainability of the Irish food industry. 

Additionally, it serves as a platform for showcasing the excellence of quality Irish products and the innovative spirit of food and drink producers across the nation.

Cabots is a ‘small, artisan, family business producing fresh food sauces in Westport’.

“With experience running a shop and restaurant, this business started in 2010, selling our products at Westport County Markets. As demand grew, we began selling our fresh hummus, pates, and sauces into our local SuperValu and food shops. Our core belief is to use fresh ingredients and materials at every step of food production” added Mr Cabot.

Over the past eleven years, more than 1,000 producers from all over Ireland have successfully completed the Food Academy programme. 

This initiative has provided entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to showcase their innovative products on SuperValu shelves all year round. 

Since its inception in 2013, Food Academy producers have collectively generated €230 million in product sales within SuperValu, supporting 1,500 jobs in the economy. 

Ciara McClafferty, Trading Director at SuperValu, called the Food Academy a ‘brilliant partnership between SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office’ which continues to ‘go from strength to strength’. 

“Through this programme, producers are given an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience, while being given exposure in SuperValu stores throughout the country”. 

She continued, saying their involvement in the academy ‘further emphasises’ their dedication to ‘fostering local talent and businesses within the food industry’.

The Food Academy recognises the importance of innovative and creative individuals within the food sector, acknowledging their role in shaping and advancing the industry. SuperValu's commitment to supporting these entrepreneurs is evident in its longstanding dedication to the Food Academy programme. 

The initiative presents a particularly positive opportunity for start-up and early-stage businesses at a time when the challenges and costs of doing business are heightened. 

“Consumer tastes and behaviours are constantly evolving, and the Food Academy is meeting these needs, being centred around nurturing innovative food and drink producers to deliver great tasting products for our shoppers and the Irish market. We’d encourage all start-up and early-stage producers to apply today,” concluded Ms McClafferty.

Apply for the Food Academy through your Local Enterprise Office, closing date is April 5.